Abstract

The quadripartite hermeneutics of John Cassian, based on the doctrine of Clement of Alexandria and Evagrius Ponticus, had sufficient echo in Greek and Arabic patristic literature, up to the ninth century, to be taken up by a Sufi master open to Christian influences such as Sahl Al-Tustari. Theodore Abu Qurrah, on the Christian side, and Dhū ‘l Nūn al-Misri, on the Muslim side, among others, are examined as possible bridges between the two traditions.