The three steps of Religious practice: Between Syriac monastic literature and Sufi "adab"

Abstract

This article intends to make a specific contribution to the question of relations between Christians and Muslims, especially between Syriac monastic communities and Sufi circles. The specific datum is offered by texts in which it is declared that religious practice can be sustained by three motivations of different value: fear of punishment, desire for reward or pure love of God. This variety of intentions is attested both in the Islamic and Christian milieu. In this study an attempt is made to historicize this coincidence.