أضرحة الأولياء في مدينة معان الأردنية، من الفاعلية إلى الزوال : ضريح "الشيخ عبد الله" أنموذجا

Abstract EN

The study examined the phenomenon of the sanctification of the shrines of blessed and holy people (Walis) in the city of Ma'an, south of Jordan during the second half of the 20th century.

The Shrine of Sheikh Abdullah was chosen for this study as a comprehensive model where the conditions of the religious ad sacred space are met.

The shrine has the remnants of the Sheikh and it is comprised of several compartments that serve the visitors.

Several and certain rituals and practices were observed in the shrine, which also fulfills religious, economic, social, psychological and cultural functions.

Sheikh Abdullah's shrine is a principal component of the cultural and religious identity of the Ma'an community and the surrounding rural areas, and a manifestation of popular religiosity during the 19th and 20th centuries.

The Sufi thought contributed to the reinforcement of the population's physical and spiritual communication with the shrines scattered throughout the province of Ma'an.

These shrines became venues for daily and seasonal activities within which scope various practices and rituals were observed.

The study also discussed the changes that affected the general structures of society, which contributed to the disappearance of that phenomenon.

The study also touched on the role of political Islam movements in the weakening of the pattern of popular and order-based religiosity.