Toward Asphyxiation: an Exploration of the Early Sufi Breathscape
Riccardo Paredi
Journal of Sufi Studies October 15, 2026 DOI: 10.1163/22105956-bja10053 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that early Sufi teachings on breath, from vigilant breath-keeping to the breathlessness of union, form a varied yet coherent 'breathscape' rooted in Qur'anic imagery, ascetic discipline, and remembrance, and that these sources lay the foundation for later Sufi theories. Proposes a revised genealogy of Sufi breath based on the broadest range of early texts up to the fifth/eleventh century. |
Abstract
Abstract Respiration holds a central place in Sufism as both a locus of metaphysical reflection and a medium of spiritual practice. This study offers a source-based examination of breath ( nafas ) in Islamic mysticism, focusing on early Sufi texts up to the fifth/eleventh century. Often overshadowed by later systematic theories, these early teachings reveal a varied yet coherent “breathscape” rooted in Qur’anic imagery, ascetic discipline, and the lived experience of remembrance, while laying the foundations for subsequent Sufi elaborations. Recovering these strands – from vigilant breath-keeping to the breathlessness of union – allows for a revised genealogy of Sufi breath and highlights the importance of engaging the broadest range of early sources to trace the continuity and gradual evolution of these reflections within the tradition.