Lataif e Ashrafi | Ashraf Jahangir Samnani | 2 Vol set | لطائف اشرفی | أشرف جہانگیر سمنانی

ntroduction to Lataif e Ashrafi and Ashraf Jahangir Samnani
Lataif e Ashrafi (“Subtleties of Ashraf”) is a seminal Sufi text by Ashraf Jahangir Samnani (1287–1386 CE), a Persian-origin Indian saint renowned as the subcontinent’s third most influential Sufi after Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and Nizamuddin Auliya. Compiled in the 8th century Hijri, this collection of spiritual discourses (malfuzat) offers profound insights into Sufi metaphysics, ethics, and practices. Samnani, honored with titles like Ghousul Alam (Benefactor of the World) and Jahangir (World Conqueror), founded the Ashrafi order, blending Chishti, Qadiri, and Akbarian traditions. His work reflects the synthesis of Persian and Indian Sufism, emphasizing experiential spirituality over ritualism.

Life and Spiritual Journey
Born in Semnan, Iran, to a lineage tracing back to Prophet Muhammad through Imam Hasan, Samnani inherited rulership at 17 but abdicated at 23, renouncing power for asceticism—a decision mirroring Sultan Ibrahim bin Adham’s legendary renunciation. His early mysticism led him to Ruknuddin Ala ul Daula Semnani and later to Bengal, where he became a disciple of Chishti saint Alaul Haq Pandavi, earning the title Jahangir after six years of rigorous training. Travels across Mecca, Medina, and South India exposed him to Sufi luminaries like Hafez Shirazi and Mir Sayyid Ali Hamdani, enriching his eclectic spiritual outlook. Settling in Kichhauchha (Uttar Pradesh), he established a khanqah and the Ashrafi order through his disciple Abdur Razzaq, a Qadiri descendant, symbolizing the fusion of Chishti and Qadiri teachings.

Contents of Lataif e Ashrafi
The text, structured as malfuzat (oral discourses recorded by disciple Nizam Yamani), spans two volumes. Volume 1 (456 pages) delves into Islamic theology, focusing on Tawheed (Divine Oneness), categorized into imani (conviction), ilmi (intellect), and hali (personal transcendence). It interprets Wahdat (Unity) as the annihilation of the self in Divine Love, echoing Ibn Arabi’s Wahdat al-Wujud. Notably, it defends Sima’a (Sufi music) as a spiritual tool. Volume 2 (480 pages) expands on Sufi practices, ethics, and mystical states, though detailed content remains less documented. The Persian original, termed an “encyclopedia of Tasawwuf,” advises study under a Sufi master, reflecting its depth.

Influence of Ibn Arabi
Samnani’s thought is deeply rooted in Ibn Arabi’s Wahdat al-Wujud, interpreting Tawheed as the dissolution of human attributes into Divine Essence. This framework underpins his teachings, aligning with Akbarian metaphysics while integrating Chishti and Kubrawiya perspectives. Scholarly comparisons highlight his synthesis of Ibn Arabi’s universalism with Indo-Persian Sufi practices, evident in his emphasis on experiential unity over theoretical discourse. His initiation into 14 Sufi orders, including Kubrawiya (via Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani), enriched his eclectic approach, positioning Lataif e Ashrafi as a bridge between diverse mystical traditions.

Availability and Access
The original Persian manuscript is preserved in libraries like Karachi University and Aligarh Muslim University, with digital copies on the Internet Archive.  Physical copies are available through online retailers, ensuring accessibility for scholars and devotees. The text’s multilingual availability underscores its enduring relevance across South Asia.

Scholarly Reception and Legacy
Academic interest in Lataif e Ashrafi is robust, with Dr. Syed Waheed Ashraf’s critical editions rectifying historical inaccuracies and highlighting its role in medieval Indian Sufism. Research articles analyze its synthesis of Kubrawiya rituals, Chishti ethics, and Akbarian metaphysics, while its socio-religious insights offer a window into Sufi-state relations and cultural practices. The text is hailed as a primary source for understanding the Ashrafi order’s evolution and its contribution to Sufi thought, blending devotional practices with philosophical rigor.

Conclusion
Lataif e Ashrafi stands as a cornerstone of Sufi literature, encapsulating Ashraf Jahangir Samnani’s journey from royalty to mysticism and his integrative spiritual vision. By weaving Ibn Arabi’s existential unity with Chishti devotion and Kubrawiya discipline, the text offers a holistic guide to Sufi realization. Its preservation and scholarly engagement affirm its historical and spiritual significance, serving as a testament to the rich, cross-cultural tapestry of Indo-Persian Sufism. For scholars and seekers alike, it remains an indispensable resource for exploring the depths of Islamic mysticism and its socio-cultural legacy in medieval India.