Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). On one extreme, some enthusiasts provide no reason to differentiate Sufism from Kabbalah, Christian mysticism, or a New Age concoction. Others give exclusive credit to the influence of eastern mystics, most often including al-Ghazali's thoughts and teachings. It has been revealed more clearly and spread more widely from time to time as the world has evolved. The Mystical Path (Tariqa) Appendix–quotations relating to Sufism (a) from the Qur’an (b) from the Traditions (ahadith) (c) from the Sufis Further Reading Index Sufism has been translated into several languages. Omissions? Highly recommended, but only for those with enough interest to wade through a book which lays out its information slowly, and has no bullet points for easy reference. Islamic mysticism is called taṣawwuf (literally, “to dress in wool”) in Arabic, but it has been called Sufism in Western languages since the early 19th century. "2 Nonetheless, it provides in-depth overview of aspects of Sufism that is interesting and noteworthy. Corrections? Islam is not an historical phenomenon that began 1,400 years ago. Author of. Well research book on the mystical tradition. Download Recognizing Sufism Contemplation in the Islamic Tradition Read Online. ****1/2 A very fine introduction to the history, essential devotional forms, and poetry of the various cultures of mystical Islam, this book should lead to further study of Sufi philosophy and metaphysics, the particular exercises or specific practices and approaches in dhikr, and the various states toward religious union and other deep experiences. The Naqshbandiyya Orthodoxy and activism in a worldwide Sufi tradition ltzchak Weismann 9. While Sufism developed out of the fusion of Qur’anic ascetic tendencies and the vast fund of Christian (and other) mystical sayings present throughout the classical world, by approximately the 10th century it had become a uniquely Islamic … Sufism is Islam's principal mystical tradition. This is a good introduction to the teachings of Sufism, with a focus on esoteric wisdom and practice. The posts may include history, Islamic art, architecture, cultural and physical landscape and any other related material that has some educational merits. Introduction How else can any past, which by definition comprises events, processes, ... in describing the ascetic- mystical stream in Islam, differ- ... both inside and outside the Sufi tradition. A little scattershot at times, but a very good reference and introduction to a topic I didn't know anything about. Carl W. Ernst is the Kenan Distinguished Professor of Islamic studies at the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The first half of the book was also quite interesting, perhaps because it spoke of Islam more generally, when then began to go into details such as the names of God or the suras bored me a little bit more. The Religion of Islam (Shari‘a) 2. Sufism: An Introduction to the Mystical Tradition of Islam (Shambhala, 2011). I didn't enjoy the book personally. -Ist ed. Includes bibliographical references and index. By educating the masses and deepening the spiritual concerns of the Muslims, Sufism has played an important role in the formation of Muslim society. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. An abstract word, Sufism derives from the Arabic term for a mystic, ṣūfī, which is in turn derived from ṣūf, “wool,” plausibly a reference to the woollen garment of early Islamic ascetics. His selections are great and I’m glad someone is translating these texts into English (many Sufi texts remain untranslated in 11th century Arabic and Persian). He is also the director of the Carolina Center for the Study of the Middle East and Muslim Civilizations. The Sufis are as diverse as the countries in which they’ve flourished—from Morocco to India to China—and as varied as their distinctive forms of art, music, poetry, and dance. I found this helpful, but it could become frustrating for those looking for succinct responses. A very good introduction to this branch of Islam that is basically associated with Shia'ism since it's adherents follow the tenets of Ali and the Imams. Despite these general stages, however, the history of Islamic mysticism is largely a history of individual mystic experience. This book can also be called Sufism 101. This book can also be called Sufism 101. For some, it reflects the influence of the mystical tradition in Cordoba attributed to Ibn Masarra. Sufism - Sufism - History: Islamic mysticism had several stages of growth, including (1) the appearance of early asceticism, (2) the development of a classical mysticism of divine love, and (3) the rise and proliferation of fraternal orders of mystics. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Sufism : An Introduction to the Mystical Tradition of Islam by Carl W. Ernst (2011, Trade Paperback, Revised edition) at the best online prices at eBay! Sufi vocabulary is important in Persian and other literatures related to it, such as Turkish, Urdu, Sindhi, Pashto, and Punjabi. Sufism as a brother/sisterhood may be traced back as far as the period of Daniel. An scholarly survey of Sufism that provides an overview of major issues. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. Chinese Gleams of Sufi Light: Wang Tai-Yü’s Great Learning of the Pure and Real and Liu Chih’s Displaying the Concealment of the Real Realm. The chosen ones of God, the salt of the earth, who responded wi… of Sufism s deep roots in the Islamic tradition. On the one hand, Ernst's book is a wonderful and informative introduction to the basics of Sufi thought. Sufism is probably the only moderating factor in this otherwise widely misunderstood religion and may be the answer to solving it's centuries long confrontations with other faiths. This becomes particularly strained when he seeks to demonstrate that, unlike those dastardly colonial missionaries, the Sufis really had. Welcome back. This mystical strand is designated in Arabic by the term tasawwuf, while in Persian the term irfan (gnosis) is also used. Sufism: An Introduction to the Mystical Tradition of Islam (Shambhala, 2011). Former Professor of Indo-Muslim Culture, Harvard University. Sufis have elaborated the image of the Prophet Muhammad—the founder of Islam—and have thus largely influenced Muslim piety by their Muhammad-mysticism. In some countries Sufi leaders were also active politically. On the other hand, he periodically segues into polemics against particularly Protestant Christian thought in a manner which assumes that his principle audience is composed of such Protestants who perhaps need to be shown the error of their orientalist ways. Popular Sufism in Eastern Europe Arrangements of the mystical in the Sufi Brotherhoods and the dialogue with Christianity ami 'heterodoxy' Muslim world, 1200-1800 H.T Norris 8. Please select which sections you would like to print: While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Start by marking “Sufism: An Introduction To The Mystical Tradition Of Islam” as Want to Read: Error rating book. 0:23. Sufism, mystical Islamic belief and practice in which Muslims seek to find the truth of divine love and knowledge through direct personal experience of God. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Worthwhile. It’s a nice, short exposition but not something I’d pick up again unless Sufism came up in conver. They are said to represent the mystical heart of Islam, yet the term Sufism is notoriously difficult to define, as it means different things to different people both within and outside the tradition. In their assessment of the Sufi writings, they failed to give due consideration to the esoteric aspect of … The Sufis are also generally known as “the poor,” fuqarāʾ, plural of the Arabic faqīr, in Persian darvīsh, whence the English words fakir and dervish. Be the first to ask a question about Sufism. On the one hand, Ernst's book is a wonderful and informative introduction to the basics of Sufi thought. This is a good introduction to the teachings of Sufism, with a focus on esoteric wisdom and practice. Sufi orders have influenced Islam in the Balkans from the time of the Middle Ages. We’d love your help. Updates? Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. May 10th 2011 It is as ancient as the rise of human consciousness. As someone who has learned little bits and pieces about Sufism through an appreciation for the ecstatic religious poetic tradition made famous by those like Jelaluddin Rumi and Hafiz/Hafez, this book was invaluable. Very interesting. To see what your friends thought of this book, Sufism: An Introduction To The Mystical Tradition Of Islam, The editor and translator, Carl Ernst, features selections from the early Sufi masters which highlight their highest motivations and ideals. Though the roots of Islamic mysticism formerly were supposed to have stemmed from various non-Islamic sources in ancient Europe and even India, it now seems established that the movement grew out of early Islamic asceticism that developed as a counterweight to the increasing worldliness of the expanding Muslim community; only later were foreign elements that were compatible with mystical theology and practices adopted and made to conform to Islam.

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