Vol.17,No.1 | [Article] Social Reform Led by Sufis in 16th Century Morocco_ A Case of ‘Abd al-Wārith al-Yalṣūtī’s

With regard to the social activities of the al-Ṭarīqa al-Jazūlīya in 16th century, only ‘Abd Allāh al-Habṭī, who campaigned for the abolition of bid‘a and became a Sa‘adian dynasty administrator, has been featured while ‘Abd al- Wārith al-Yalṣūtī, who wrote on taṣawwuf and brought up many disciples but were distanced from politics, have been ignored. However, al-Yalṣūtī was not just a contemplative who stayed away from society. By examining his work on Sufi practice, The Royal Road, it became apparent that he saw the problem of uneducated, self-styled Sufis misleading the people and that he was teaching them the proper way to practice in order to correct the situation. Furthermore, the training of disciples by al-Yalṣūtī can be seen as part of an attempt to improve social conditions through raising and increasing the number of decent Sufis. It shows the diversity of targets and methods of social reform by Sufis.