Sufism and Mysticism in “The Forty Rules of love” and “The Flea Palace” by Elif Shafak

Abstract

 Existence of humanity is directly linked with human body, mind and soul and also intermingled with spirituality. Within this, spirituality manifests in two primary forms: Mysticism and Sufism. These themes have been prominent in literature since its inception. Elif Shafak emerges as a significant author whose works are profoundly influenced by Sufi and mystical phenomena in novels. The aim of this study is to explore the representations of Mysticism and Sufism in Shafak's selected novels as "The Forty Rules of Love" and "The Flea Palace," by employing a qualitative content analysis approach. The framework adopted for this study was exploratory. The primary data sources include the texts of the novels, while secondary sources encompass existing research and an integrated theoretical framework regarding Mysticism and Sufism. Findings of the study reveal that both novels are rich in mysticism and Sufism concepts such as transcendence, divine love, mystical experiences, and the integration of philosophical and religious knowledge, inner transformation, unity of being, connection with something higher than being and spiritual guidance toward the quest for truth. It is concluded that the narratives effectively encapsulate the core tenets of Mysticism and Sufism by employing many literary techniques, highlighting their significance in contemporary literature.