Sufism
A Short Introduction
Will be published approx. on 3. February 2000
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-1-85168-211-9 (ISBN)
Description
The Sufi tradition, commonly associated with the Whirling Dervishes and the profoundly beautiful poetry of the great mystic Rumi, is introduced here in this new guide. William C. Chittick, the leading scholar in this filed, offers a compelling insight into the origins, context, and key themes of this movement. After a general overview of the tradition, he draws upon the words of some of the greatest Sufi writers - among them Ibn Arabi, Baha Walad and Rumi himself - to give a fresh an revealing perspective on the teaching and beliefs of Sufism and its proponents. Areas covered include: the history and growth of Sufism, and its relationship to Islam; the mystical and spiritual properties of music and dance; the beautiful and captivating qualities of Sufi writing, with many examples; the beliefs, practices and philosophies of Sufism as seen through the eyes of several major figures; Sufism in the modern world. This work should be of interest to anyone interested in Sufism, from those who know nothing about it to students, scholars and experts alike.
More details
Other editions
New editions
Book
11/2007
Oneworld Publications
€16.50
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Person
William C. Chittick is Professor of Comparative Studies at the State University of New York. A greatly respected scholar, he spent over twelve years in Iran before the revolution studying Sufism in theory and practice, and he has written widely on Shi'ism.
Content
The Sufi path - the Islamic context, three domains of faith, the Shahadah, mercy and wrath, Sufi theory, Sufi practice; the Sufi tradition - a working description, spectrums of theory and practice, Sufism in the modern world; name and reality - the expression of Sufi teachings, divine and human love, the sobriety of names; self-help - the human self, the subsistence face, prophetic knowledge; the remembrance of God - Dhikr in the Koran and Hadith, Dhikr in the Sufi tradition; the way of love - love's creativity, the true beloved, the religion of love; the never-ending dance - the divine names, primordial audition, human perfection, the ascent of the soul, the music of the spheres, dancing with God; images of beatitude - the vision of God, remembering God, disclosures of God; the fall of Adam - Ahmad Sam'ani, the fall in the Koran, creation, love, aspiration and discernment, poverty and need, humility, forgiveness; the paradox of the veil - the barrier, the veil in Niffari and Ibn Arabi, the veil as face.