ABSTRACT
Aziz Nasafi's importance lies in his ability to both incorporate all the major elements of Sufi belief and also to present them in a coherent fashion for novices of the Sufi path. This simple and clear version of Sufism is demonstrated in his systematisation and order of Sufi ontology and epistemology; proof of this is Nasafi's six spiritual stations and mystical knowledge, from dhikr to fikr, and then to ilham and finally to contemplation which is the station of stability. Nasafi's form of Sufism was able to thrive during one of the most traumatic periods of Islamic history. His greatest contribution to Sufism in Central Asia and Iran was an interpretation of Sufism which was acceptable to most groups in society. It did not alienate the Mongol rulers/the 'Ulama' and at the same time his uncomplicated and summarised version of themes explained by Ibn 'Arabi and Najm al-Din Kubra found new audiences, ensuring the survival and spread of Sufism.
