The Shambhala Guide to SufismThe soaring voice of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the ecstatic dance of the Whirling Dervishes, the rapturous verse of Jalaluddin Rumi—all are expressions of Sufism, often regarded as the mystical tradition of Islam. Who are the Sufis? They are more than mystics; they are empowered by the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad. They are guided by saints and masters. They belong to orders ranging from North Africa and Turkey to India and Central Asia. In addition to prayer and fasting, they practice techniques of meditation. They recite poetry, delight in music, and perform dance, all towards one goal—union with God, the Divine Beloved. This comprehensive introduction clarifies the concept of Sufism and discusses its origin and development. In addition, the author discusses the important issues of Sufism's relationship with the larger Islamic world and its encounters with fundamentalism and modern secularism, along with the appropriation of Sufism by non-Muslims and the development of Sufi traditions in the West. |
Contents
What Is Sufism? | 1 |
18 | 34 |
The Sacred Sources of Sufism | 40 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
al-Din Allah Arabic Sufi ascetic authority Bektashi century Chishti Christian colonial contemporary culture dervishes describe dhikr disciple divine name early Sufi ecstasy European example fism followers fundamentalists God's hadith Hafiz Hallaj heart human Ibn al-Farid Ibn Arabi Imams important India inner interpretation Iran known language literary literature Masnavi meditation Mevlevi miracles modern Muhammad music and dance Muslim Muslim countries Muslim societies mystical experience Naqshbandi Orientalists Ottoman Pakistan performance Persian poems poet political popular prayer Press Prophet Muhammad Qadiri qawwali Qur'an Qushayri recited religion religious ritual role Rumi Rumi's Ruzbihan Baqli sainthood sayings scholars secular Shah Shaykh Shi'i Simnani social soul spiritual Sufi groups Sufi leaders Sufi master Sufi music Sufi orders Sufi poetry Sufi practice Sufi saints Sufi shrines Sufism symbolic teaching term Sufi themes tion tombs translations Turkish University Urdu verses wine word Yunus Emre حضرت خواجہ محمد