Sufi Epistemology and Its Role in Resisting Neoliberal Hegemony: A Critical Analysis of Mystical Knowledge as a Counter-Narrative

Abstract

This paper investigates the role of Sufi epistemology as a counter-narrative to neoliberalism, exploring how mystical knowledge challenges the dominant frameworks of rationality, individualism, and market-driven thought in contemporary society. Neoliberalism, with its emphasis on economic rationality, self-interest, and commodification of knowledge, has become a pervasive force in shaping global academic, political, and cultural landscapes. This study argues that Sufi thought, through its emphasis on experiential knowledge, spiritual interconnectedness, and ethical transformation, offers a profound challenge to these neoliberal ideologies. Drawing on the writings of classical Sufi scholars and contemporary thinkers, the paper examines the epistemological foundations of Sufi thought, with a particular focus on concepts such as tazkiyah (soul purification) and maʿrifah (gnosis), which foster knowledge beyond materialism and rational utilitarianism. By foregrounding spiritual experience as a legitimate form of knowledge, this paper illustrates how Sufi epistemology critiques the reductionist nature of neoliberalism and calls for a redefined conception of truth, one that prioritizes collective well-being and social justice over individual profit. Through a critical, interdisciplinary approach that combines Islamic mysticism and critical theory, this paper highlights the resistant potential of Sufi thought to challenge neoliberalism’s intellectual hegemony. It also emphasizes the relevance of alternative epistemologies in contemporary global debates, advocating for the integration of mystical, non-materialist paradigms in both academic inquiry and social praxis. This analysis contributes to broader conversations on epistemic justice, alternative knowledge systems, and the political dimensions of spiritual traditions in the neoliberal era.