H.A. Hellyer is a non-resident fellow at the Project on U.S. Relations with the Islamic World at the Brookings Institution's Centre for Middle East Policy , and International Security Studies at the Royal United Services Institute in London. Follow him on Twitter @hahellyer . The views expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer, who is not so secretly a Jedi, but also moonlights as a Trekkie.

(CNN) On Monday, the UK government formally announced that "Star Wars, Episode VIII," would begin shooting at Pinewood Studios.

Being May 4th, it was "Star Wars Day." But May 4th, 2015, was also the 15th of Rajab, 1436 -- and Rajab is one of the most noted months in the Islamic calendar, with the middle of the month being a particularly auspicious occasion.

Indeed, the 15th of Rajab is also the anniversary of the birth of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq, a deeply significant spiritual figure for Muslims. The confluence of these days should not be underestimated -- as "Star Wars" is discreetly, very Islamic. (OK, kind of.)

This probably serves to protect Lucas -- who sold production company Lucasfilm to Disney and is not himself overseeing the new "Star Wars" movie -- from claims of #CreepingShariah . More than that, "Star Wars" gets something very right -- the notion of religious authority in Islam.

Take Obi Wan Kenobi, for example, and his relationship with Luke Skywalker -- as well as Skywalker's relationship with Yoda. (Ignore, if you must, the filming of the most pertinent Jedi scenes in Tunisia , an Arab-Muslim country with a very long tradition of Islamic spirituality, or Sufism). The notion of the "Jedi Knights" is built very much on the quintessentially Muslim phenomenon of tariqah Sufism -- or the spirituality of the Sufi order.

Put aside the fact that all the Jedi nights have a garb that is basically a North African djellaba, which became popularized by Western adepts of Sufism in the 70s and onwards -- actually, let's not put that aside. But in any case -- it is abundantly clear that the small, green, Yoda is the Sufi master -- the murshid, or guide, that takes young Skywalker through the different levels of spiritual advancement, as he pursues the Absolute, al-Samad -- one of the attributes and "Names" of God in Islam. Or, if you prefer, "the Force."

Green guide

The relationship between Skywalker and his master progresses, and we must ask if Master Yoda's residence in a cave is an accident or not -- it was in the Quranic chapter of "the Cave" where one of the greatest inspirations of Islamic spirituality, the Prophet Moses, encounters the Al-Khidr.

What, precisely, was it that Master Yoda is trying to get the young Skywalker to achieve -- if not 'firasah?' H.A. Hellyer

Al-Khidr, a mysterious character that many argue is the subject of a Quranic story, is one who the Prophet Moses is meant to learn from and follow -- but owing to what appears to be erratic behavior, the latter neglects to do so. "Khidr" is also the Arabic word for "green"-- and Yoda, surprise, surprise, is green.

The code that the Jedi upholds in these films is clear -- it is one of absolute chivalry to the outside world on the one side, and one of complete and total control over one's own self on the other.

That dual responsibility of awareness to oneself and ones surroundings is, again, a repeated theme in Islamic spirituality -- centuries ago, Abu-l-Qasim al-Qushayri wrote "Risala al-Qushayriyya," the "Qushayri Epistle," where the author goes into a good deal of depth of what "futuwwah" or chivalry is meant to be for the serious believer.

Photos: Meet the faces of the new 'Star Wars' Photos: Meet the faces of the new 'Star Wars' The cast of "Star Wars: Episode VII" -- or should we say "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" -- unites well-known names with some up-and-coming actors.John Boyega is best known for the 2011 sci-fi action comedy "Attack the Block," but now he's known as the guy who steals the spotlight in the "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" trailer. Boyega was long rumored to be a top choice for the lead role. Hide Caption 1 of 17 Photos: Meet the faces of the new 'Star Wars' Daisy Ridley portrays the female lead of the movie, Rey, who is often accompanied by her droid BB-8, an early fan favorite. Hide Caption 2 of 17 Photos: Meet the faces of the new 'Star Wars' Actors Pip Andersen, left, and Crystal Clarke were picked from an open casting call to join the movie. Andersen is skilled in the training discipline parkour, and "The Force Awakens" will be one of Clarke's first feature films. Hide Caption 3 of 17 Photos: Meet the faces of the new 'Star Wars' The rumors about Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o joining the cast turned out to be true. In May, she was announced as the newest actress to join the saga. Nyong'o won the best supporting actress Oscar for her breakthrough role in "12 Years a Slave." Hide Caption 4 of 17 Photos: Meet the faces of the new 'Star Wars' Gwendoline Christie, currently known as Brienne of Tarth on HBO's "Game of Thrones," has also joined "Star Wars." She will co-star in "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2" as Commander Lyme. Hide Caption 5 of 17 Photos: Meet the faces of the new 'Star Wars' Adam Driver is a multifaceted actor who'll presumably get to show more of his range in "The Force Awakens." While he's best known for playing a quirky love interest on "Girls," Driver has also appeared in feature films "J. Edgar," "Lincoln," "Frances Ha" and "Inside Llewyn Davis." Hide Caption 6 of 17 Photos: Meet the faces of the new 'Star Wars' Oscar Isaac had a breakthrough role in 2013 as the cranky singer-songwriter Llewyn Davis in the drama "Inside Llewyn Davis." We can't imagine his work in "The Force Awakens" will require him to sing, but it would be awesome if it did; Isaac has proved he's got a great set of pipes. Hide Caption 7 of 17 Photos: Meet the faces of the new 'Star Wars' Andy Serkis is setting himself up to have a busy few years. The celebrated actor recently appeared in "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," which will be followed by "The Force Awakens." After that, he's expected to appear in another "Tintin" movie, "The Adventures of Tintin: Prisoners of the Sun." Hide Caption 8 of 17 Photos: Meet the faces of the new 'Star Wars' Does the name Domhnall Gleeson sound familiar? That might be because you remember him as Bill Weasley in the last two movies of the "Harry Potter" franchise. But Gleeson has established himself with a host of other projects, including 2010's "Never Let Me Go" and 2013's "About Time." Suffice to say that if you don't know Gleeson by now, you will after "Star Wars: Episode VII." Hide Caption 9 of 17 Photos: Meet the faces of the new 'Star Wars' When we learned that the latest "Star Wars" installment is supposed to take place 30 years after "Return of the Jedi" and feature a trio of newbies alongside some familiar faces, we were ready to bet the house that Mark Hamill's Luke Skywalker would be one of the recognizable stars. It was an easy guess to make, though; Hamill has long been considered an unspoken done deal. Hide Caption 10 of 17 Photos: Meet the faces of the new 'Star Wars' Carrie Fisher was one of the original "Star Wars" cast members who initially said she was on board for the new movie, only for her rep to backtrack and say the actress was kidding. But Abrams' announcement is no joke: The former Princess Leia has returned. Hide Caption 11 of 17 Photos: Meet the faces of the new 'Star Wars' After playing coy with the press for months, Harrison Ford was finally officially announced as part of the "Force Awakens" cast. The actor will reprise his role of Han Solo. Hide Caption 12 of 17 Photos: Meet the faces of the new 'Star Wars' We can't be the only ones who are supremely relieved to see that Anthony Daniels, the voice of C-3PO, will be back in action. Hide Caption 13 of 17 Photos: Meet the faces of the new 'Star Wars' Obviously, you can't have Daniels' C-3PO without Kenny Baker's R2-D2. Just the thought of splitting up the droids is heartbreaking! Hide Caption 14 of 17 Photos: Meet the faces of the new 'Star Wars' Peter Mayhew is probably somewhere warming up his voice for that famous Chewbacca roar. The actor was rumored to be reprising the character in "The Force Awakens," but it wasn't official until Abrams' announcement. Hide Caption 15 of 17 Photos: Meet the faces of the new 'Star Wars' Max von Sydow is one of the veteran actors joining the upcoming "Star Wars" movie. It isn't clear what the wide-ranging thespian will do in Abrams' picture, but we can rest assured that he'll bring his respected acting chops to the part. Hide Caption 16 of 17 Photos: Meet the faces of the new 'Star Wars' "Star Wars" veteran Warwick Davis is set to return too. He's played multiple roles, but he's best known as Wicket the lead Ewok from "Return of the Jedi," so we suspect he may reprise that role. Hide Caption 17 of 17

Muslims in Sufi orders have often written commentaries on that work -- and it is at the bedrock of the genre of secondary Islamic spiritual texts, including ones written by al-Sulami and many others.

Self-control

When it comes to control and command over one's own self, that is mentioned as one of the primary tasks of the Sufi adept -- to conquer one's ego (nafs), so that it may be in service only to the One. As al-Qushayri notes: "The root of chivalry is that the servant strive constantly for the sake of others. Chivalry is that you do not see yourself as superior to others. The one who has chivalry is the one who has no enemies. Chivalry is that you be an enemy of your own soul for the sake of your Lord. Chivalry is that you act justly without demanding justice for yourself. Chivalry is [having] ... beautiful character."

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Indeed, in the 12th century, a Muslim leader, Nasir al-Din, created an order of Muslim knights -- indelibly connected to Sufi orders, and honour bound to follow the instructions of spiritual sages. They were famed for hospitality to travelers -- but also harshness against oppressors -- how Jedi, indeed! It is perhaps unsurprising that al-Qushayri notes a spiritual station that comes -- which is "firasah" or "insight." What, precisely, was it that Master Yoda is trying to get the young Skywalker to achieve -- if not "firasah?"

But we also see in the "Star Wars" epic what happens to one who chooses the "Dark Side" -- and certainly, Darth Vader bears a strong resemblance to the self-proclaimed Caliph, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Or perhaps he may be the Sith Lord -- one who seeks to tap into the power of spiritual prowess for debase and devastating ends.

On the other hand -- it might just be that George Lucas liked North African hoods, and got told a few tales while filming in Tunisia.

Or ... "Star Wars" might not be a story based in a galaxy so far away ... certainly far closer to Islam, if only in spirit, than ISIS's myth of a "state."