Monastic genealogy from the point of view of Michel Foucault

 
As a social institution, the khaneghah has played a significant role in the history of Persian thought and literature. Therefore, its influences on Iran's culture and literature are undeniable. There is a difference of opinion on where why the first monastery in Islamic society was established. The turning away of worldly scholars from the true teachings of Islam and neglecting to act upon its commandments increased the aversion towards dry asceticism and the presence of inactive scholars, paving the way for the formation and expansion of Khaneghahs in Islamic countries. This factor led to the separation of Khaneghahs from mosques and created a sort of epistemological rupture that had not existed before in the Islamic community. The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the necessity, motivation, and reasons behind the formation of this social institution while addressing the history and birth of the khaneghah. It aims to shed light on the emergence and manifestation of Sufism among Muslims to enlighten the reader's mind. Then, considering the importance and position of the khaneghah in identifying Islamic culture, this paper seeks to examine its origin, role, and function from a sociological perspective, using the principles of cognitive methodology and the genealogical approach of Foucault. The results indicate that the confrontation of the khaneghah with religious ideologies contributed to the formation of this institution. Each group presented their own arguments to justify their adherence, and ultimately, the endorsement of prominent figures such as Imam Mohammad Ghazali to the practices and principles of Sufism further legitimized the establishment of the khaneghah.