Analysis of Rare Sources and Integration of Scholarly Heritage

An international roundtable discussion entitled “Theological Views in Muhammad Parsa’s (1348–1420) Fusul al-Sitta (The Six Chapters): Analysis of Ideas and Scholarly Research” was held at the Imam Bukhari International Scientific Research Center in cooperation with the Bulgar Islamic Academy (Russia).

During the event, Salim Gainullin, a doctoral student at the Academy and editor at the Manara Islamic Literature Publishing House in Kazan, shared the findings of his four-year research into Fusul al-Sitta (The Six Chapters), a rare Arabic manuscript by Muhammad Parsa, one of the prominent figures of the Naqshbandi Sufi tradition. The work has received relatively little scholarly attention to date.

It was emphasized that the work represents an important source that brings together Sufi culture and the rulings of Islamic law, particularly theological, legal, and ethical perspectives. In his work, the scholar explains the requirements of Islamic law in close connection with inner morality and spiritual purification, highlighting important principles for achieving moral excellence and fostering a healthy spiritual environment in society.

The discussion also addressed the manuscript sources of the work and its significance for source studies. Participants exchanged views on the use of sources preserved in the Center’s collections for further research into the scholarly legacy of Muhammad Parsa, as well as on the continuation of joint academic research and cooperation.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants had the opportunity to ask questions on the subject and received comprehensive answers from the speakers.