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In this work, Al-Ghazali goes beyond the most obvious aspects of ibadah (like prayer, almsgiving, fasting, pilgrimage, etc). These selections from his `Ihya `Ulum al-Din explain, in his characteristically powerful and inspiring way, how to reap the rich harvests of spiritual, moral and social upliftment that must be their reward. It is an especially important book for young men and women of today who are seeking God's pleasure - a lifestyle impossible to maintain without an understanding of the inner resources which Islam offers.AL-GHAZALI, Abu Hamid Muhammad (450/1058-505/1111), a towering figure in Islam, was born at Tus, near Mashhad in Iran, in the early Seljuq era and studied theology and law at Nayshapur. His formidable intellectual abilities soon won him honour and respect at the Court of the famous Seljuqi Prime Minister, Naizam al-Mulk, and, while still in his early thirties, he became Professor at Madrasa Nizamiyya in Baghdad and attained great prominence there. But soon he abandoned his professorship for a decade of contemplation and studies. He returned for a while to lecture at the Nizamiyya in Nayshapur before his death. He wrote a large number of works which include Al-Munqidh min al-Dalal (a biographical account), Tahafut al-Falasifa; but his magnum opus remains the Ihya"Ulum al-Din in four volumes, compiled during his period of retirement and contemplation. INNER DIMENSIONS OF ISLAMIC WORSHIP consists of selections from Al-Ghazali's Ihya', translated into En...read more

Fairly often while I was talking quietly with the Shaykh, the name 'Allah' had cone to us form some remote corner of the zawiyah, uttered on one long drawn out vibrant note: 'A ...I...l...a...h!' It was like a cry of despair, a distraught supplication, and it came from some solitary cell-bound disciple, bent on meditation. The cry was usually repeated several times, and then all was silence once more. 'Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, ( ) Lord'. 'From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than 1'. These verses form thePsamls came to my mind. The supplication was really Just the same, the supreme cry to God of a soul in distress. I was not wrong, for later, when I asked the Shaykh what was the meaning of the cry, which we had just heard, he answered: 'It is a disciple asking God to help him in his meditation'. 'May I ask what is the purpose of his meditation'?' 'To achieve self-realisation in God'. 'Do aII the disciples succeed in doing this'?' 'No, it is seldom that anyone does. It is only possible for a very Few'. '"Then what happens to those who do not'? Are they not desperate'?' 'No: they always rise high enough to have at least inward Peace'. Inward Peace. That was the point he came back to most often and there lay, no doubt, the reason for his great influence. For what man does not aspire, in some way or other, to inward peace'? From the narrative of Dr. Mareel Garret ""The Gnosti...read more

What do the Sufis believe? What do they aim at? What do they do'? Unlike other writers on the subject. Martin Ling.. treats all three questions with equal justice. lie is thus able to give a wealth of answers to the main question. What is Sufism? Each answer being from a diffevent angle hut all going to the root of the matter. I lore are two examples. 'Nearly 1000 years ago a great Still defined Sufism as "taste". because its aim and its end could he summed up as direct knowledge of transcendent truths, such knowledge being. insofar as its directness is concerned, more comparable to the experience of the senses than to mental knowledge.' 'Most Western readers of this hook will have heard quite early in life that "the Kingdom of Heaven is within you" They will also have heard: "Seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall he opened unto you". Rut how many of them have ever received any instruction in the way of seeking or in the art of knocking? And even as these last four words were being written down, it came to mind that they are in this given context, an answer to the very question put by our title What is Sufism? not only fills the need for a clear and reliable introduction to Sufism. but it is also unique in its thoroughness. and authoritative.

Tales of Mystic Meaning Often described as the Bible of the Sufis, the Mathnawl is a famous thirteenth-century mystical poem by Jalal al-Din Rumi (1207-73), the great Persian poet and mystic: In Tales 'of Mystic Meaning, Professor R. A. Nicholson presents translations of the most important stories from this entertaining work, which draws its inspiration from the rich religious philosophy of the Sufis, and their belief that all things emanate from God and are moving towards ultimate reunion with Him. Belonging to the last period of Rumi's life, the mathnawi consists of a series of tales that explore the eternal questions of life's meaning and purpose. Professor Nicholson's translation preserves the direct semi-colloquial style of the tales, their lively dialogue and the humorous descriptions of human nature in which they abound. Rumi's moral and mystical teaching lends itself to universal application and displays with a light touch the wisdom that never plays on the surface without contemplating the hidden depths beneath. FREOM THE BOOK "THE GRAMMARIAN AND THE BOATMAN" "A self-conceited grammarian embarked in a boat. Turning to the boatman, he asked,"Have you ever studied grammar'?" "No," he replied. "Then," said the grammarian, "half your life has been lost." The boatman, heart-broken with gnef, refrained from answering him at the time. The wind cast tire boat into a whirlpool. The boatman shouted to the grammarian "Tell me can you swim'?". "No," said he "O fair-spoken...read more

An Introduction to Sufi Doctrine Sufism - the esoteric or inward aspect of Islam - is capable of giving assess to direct knowledge of the eternal. This book is an introduction to a study of the doctrines of Sufism, not from the viewpoint of pure scholarship, but with the purpose of contributing to the efforts of those who seek to understand those universal truths of which every sacred doctrine is an expression. In Part One Titus Burckhardt defines the nature of Sufism and discusses it in relation to Christian mysticism (as exemplified by the Greek Fathers of the early Christian Church), and Hinduism. Part Two consists of an examination of doctrinal foundations of Sufism, while in Part Three the author deals with spiritual realisation. This section commences with a dissertation on the three elements of `operative' Sufism, and includes perceptive commentaries on rites, meditation and contemplation. Readers previously unacquainted with the subject will find that Sufism embraces doctrine, initiation and spiritual method. Titus Burckhardt attempts to show the intellectual perspective of Sufism by making use of Sufism's own way of expressing things, but where necessary there are included whatever explanations that may be needed for understanding. Letters of a Sufi Master Mulay AI-`Arabi al-Darqawi, the author of these letters, was the founder of the Darqawi Order of Sufis. The spiritual radiation of the Shaykh al-Darqawi brought about a sudden great flowering of Sufism in Moroc...read more

the Sufi Path of Love This is the most accessible work in English on the greatest mystical poet of Islam, providing a survey of the basic Sufi and Islamic doctrines concerning God and the world, the role of man in the cosmos, the need for religion, man's ultimate becoming, the states and stations of the mystical ascent to God, and the means whereby literature employs symbols to express "unseen" realities, William Chittick translates into English for the first time certain aspects of Rumi's work. he selects and rearranges rumi's poetry and prose in order to leave aside unnecessary complications characteristic of other English translations and to present Rumi's ideas in am orderly fashion, yet in his own words. Thorough, non technical introductions to each chapter, and selections that gradually present a greater variety of terms and images, make this work easily accessible to those interested in the spirituality of any tradition. "I consider this work to be of great importance in the field of Islamics in particular and of the humanities in general. It is superbly conceived and guides the reader through the theory, practice, and mystical realisation of Rumi's thinking.... I cam think of no better way for a Westerner, and nowadays for a Westernised Muslim to get to know the deeper aspects of the Islamic faith than through a work such as this. As far as I am aware of, it is the first work of its kind, providing the reader with a complete exposition of Rumi's fundamental notions ...read more

Ibn 'Arabi, recognised in his lifetime as al-Shaykh al-Akbar - the supreme spiritual Master - was born in 1165 in Andulusia and died in Damascus in 1240. Over a period of eight centuries he has exerted a profound influence on Islamic mysticism. In recent years a number of important studies have helped acquaint the Western reader with Ibn 'Arabi's metaphysics and this process is now greatly enhanced by the present volume in which Michel Chodkiewicz explores for the first time, the Master's 'hagiology' or teaching on sainthood. Founded on a careful analysis of the relevant texts, Chodkiewicz's work examines this essential aspect of Ibn 'Arabi's formulation of a doctrine of sainthood, defining the nature and function of sainthood, while also specifying the criteria for a typology of saints based on the notion of prophetic inheritance.

Sufism Sufism has been described as `the heart of Islam' for it represents Islam's inward or mystical dimension. At the end of the Sufi path is to be found nothing less than the uncoloured Truth or, in subjective terms, one's true Selfhood. This book supplies a much needed explanation of the essential doctrines and practical elements of Sufism for the ever growing number of people who, from a variety of motives, are attracted to Sufi teachings. Not only students of `comparative religion', but all who seek some outlet from today's stifling materialism will find much in these pages that relates to their condition; for a great virtue of Sufism is that it speaks at one and the same time to man's intelligence and man's heart. William Stoddart has made a prolonged study of the most important published material relating to Sufism, and this research has been deepened and amplified through personal contacts in the course of journeys to places as far apart as Morocco and Bosnia, Turkey and India. Appropriately, the author begins by introducing his readers to the main features of Islam, which is the framework within which Sufism flourishes, and whose scriptural language it necessarily employs. Quotes from inside: "The doctrine of the `oneness of being' has led some to believe that Sufi doctrine is a form of `pantheism'. This is entirely misleading, as the term pantheism is normally used to designate certain European philosophic concepts of recent centuries that have nothing to do...read more

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Prinsciples of Sufism is the first English translation from the Risalah Qushayriyyah, the famous compendium of Sufi knowledge and practice by Al-Qushayri. It includes all sections of this earliest classical Sufi work concerning the fundamental principles of Sufism; it omits only the graphical notices at the beginning the work and various highly finical matters at its end. of the most widely read Sufi treatises in Arabic, the Risalah defines classical Sufism through the use of quotations from the Qur'an, the Prophetic Traditions and reference to exemplary behavior of the ascetics saints. Al-Qushayri illustrates the priniciples of Sufism with tales and sayings of the first generations of slims and of his contemporaries in 5/11`h century. Readers are given a rich account of what Sufism as a way fife implied for the early Muslims. Scholars and students of Islam religion and mysticism will welcome this important new work. Excerpt from the book: Those twin purposes- reminding Sufis of authentic ancestral tradition and vindicating Sufism against those who doubted its legitimacy- had already inspired two earlier Arabic compendia on Sufism: the Kitab al-Luma `by Abu Nasr asSarraj (d. 378/788) and Al-Ta'arrufli Madhbab Ahlat-Tasawwuf by Abu Bakr al-Kalabadhi (d. 391/1000); later Sufi writers frequently invoked the same purposes as well. It can be said that Sufism has often been marked by a sense of historical pessimism, an awareness of spiritual decline that the Sufi must strive t...read more

“To express in the language of Sufism, that is, Islamic mysticism, some of the universal truths which lie at the heart of all religions’, this is the avowed purpose of this book. It came into being because the author was asked by a friend to set down in writing what he considered to be the most important things that a human being can know. He was also asked to make it very easy, and despite the depth of all that it contains, it has in fact a remarkable simplicity and clarity, due no doubt in part to the constant use of traditional imagery which awakens and penetrates the imagination.

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Considered one of the greatest works of Islamic mysticism and interpreted here for the first time in English by Shaykh Tosun Bayrak al-Jerrahi, was written by 'Abd al-Qadiry-Jilani (1077-1166). Born near the Caspian Sea, he was the son of Fatima bint Abdullah al-Sawma'i.The Secret of Secrets, considered one of the greatest works of classical Sufi mysticism and interpreted here for the first time in English' by Shaykh Tosun Bayrak al Jerrahi, was written by Abd al-Qidir al Jilani (1077-1 166), the eponymous founder of the Qadiriya order, the first of the great Sufi brotherhoods which radiate throughout the Islamic world. Born near the Caspian Sea, he was he son of the great saint Fatima hint Abdullah al-Sawma i. After a period of intense intellectual and mystical training Abd al-Qidir received the khirqa (robe of initiation) and was soon recognised as a saint and scholar, consulted, loved and revered by caliph and pauper alike. As one of the most venerated Sufism his burial place in Baghdad still attracts isitors from many countries. The Secret of Secrets reveals in a brief compass, the very essence of Sufism, showing how outward practices such as rayer, fasting' and almsgiving contain a wealth of inner lions which must be discovered and enjoyed if external actions are to be performed in a manner pleasing to God. When this is achieved the soul finds true peace and the spiritual life becomes complete. The book forms a bridge between two of the author's more famous works, Weal...read more

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The earliest Persian Treatise on Sufism

Have you ever wondered: What is the position of mainstream Islam on remembrance of Allah (dhikr) in general? Does the remembrance of Allah have roots in the Quran and hadith? The "Salafis" accuse those who sit together and recite the remembrance of Allah -- either loudly or silently -- of deviation and heresy. Read the evidence and then decide for yourself.

Of all the faculties man has been endowed with, none excels the heart in importance and nobility. For the heart is both the seat of intelligence and understanding, and the locus of faith and spirituality; it is the Quintessential faculty by which man may come to know his creator, and seek nearness and intimacy with Him. The heart's spiritual sustenance lies in its being receptive to the effusions of divine grace and guidance, without which the veils that cover it will continue to corrupt its primordial purity, gradually rendering it dysfunctional! Each veil - a metaphor for heedlessness, sins and distraction - that is melted away by the rays of faith and spiritual endeavour, allows vital Qualities to take root in the heart. Once rooted, these Qualities, such as love of Allah, as well as hope, fear, remembrance and reliance upon Him, are referred to in the religious vocabulary as spiritual stations; only when the heart embraces these stations is it said to be truly sound. The Majestic Qur'an informs: This book explains some of the main spiritual stations that the heart is required to embrace as part of its worship of Allah and its journeying to Him. Each chapter commences with a line of poetry which highlights one of these spiritual stations; each station is then explained in a clear, lucid style, seasoned with insights by some of the pietists and spiritual masters from the early Muslims. The nature and brevity of this book is such that it may be regarded as a primer to the s...read more

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Sufism has often been described as "the mystical heart of Islam", but what exactly is Sufism? This book attempts to answer this question by introducing the origins of Sufism, its historical context, the early Sufis, their use of stories to convey lessons and some of their most celebrated writings.

Love in Sufism investigates the significance of divine love in the Islamic tradition, with particular reference to Sufism. Although Sufis are considered the forerunners of writing on the subject of divine love, there is a relative paucity of literature regarding the details of their conceptions of love. Love in Sufism by Süleyman Derin should be considered as one of the first instances in its field that covers the thoughts of a wide number of Sufi figures writing in Arabic. Süleyman Derin not only provides us with a comprehensive account of the Sufi paradigms of love presented by Rabia, Hallaj, al-Ghazali, Ibn Arabi and Ibn al-Farid—with an analysis of the specific motives of each particular paradigm—but also provides insight into the social and historical context of their milieu. This book addresses both scholars and general readers of Sufism alike.