THE IMPACT OF SCHOLARS ON SPIRITUAL AND EDUCATIONAL LIFE IN THE SHERABAD OASIS FROM THE 16th TO THE EARLY 20th CENTURY

Abstract

. In the historical memory of the Sherabad oasis, the activities of scholars are often interpreted within the framework of individual biographies, while their systematic nature—combining education, ethics, and cultural exchange—has not been sufficiently revealed. The purpose of the study is to determine the mechanisms of influence exerted by ulama, madrasa teachers, scribes, and representatives of Sufi traditions on spiritual and educational life from the 16th to the early 20th century. Based on source criticism, historical-comparative analysis, and a hermeneutic approach, chronological data, waqf records, manuscript traditions, and archival materials were compared. As a result of the analysis, four main directions of scholarly activity were identified: organizing education, strengthening ethical norms, producing and distributing manuscripts, and developing interregional scholarly ties. Comparison showed that traditional education around madrasas and mosques predominated in the 16th–18th centuries, whereas private schools, reading practices, and new forms of communication expanded in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The heritage of scholars was not limited to religious knowledge; it also served to preserve social solidarity and historical memory. The scientific contribution of the study lies in proposing a model that interprets educational processes in the history of the oasis not as individual figures, but as a complex of interconnected institutions and practices.