The Mystics Of Islam

Book Summary

Sufism is the heart of the Islamic tradition. Its teachings, which synthesize the ways of knowledge and love, are founded upon many of the most beautiful verses of the Quran and the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. Through an unbroken succession of wise and ecstatic voices--many of whom were among the greatest poets of both the Arabic and Persian languages--the doctrine of Sufism has been a constant fountain of spiritual illumination throughout its long history for seekers both within and outside Islam. "The Mystics of Islam," first published in 1913, has long been recognized as a classic and definitive introduction to the message of Sufism. In this short but comprehensive work, R. A. Nicholson--who was one of the greatest Islamic scholars of the early 20th century--provides the general reader with an easy approach to the study of Islamic mysticism. He gives a broad outline of Sufism and describes the key principles, methods and characteristic features of the inner life as it has been lived by Muslims of every class and condition from the 8th century onwards. Many quotations are given, mainly in the author's own fine versions from the original Arabic and Persian. Confronted as we are today by the bitter fundamentalism of fanatics who have distorted the meaning of Islam to serve their own purposes, Nicholson's book is a timely reminder of the beautiful and profound soul of the Islamic faith. The following words--written by one of the greatest Sufis, Ibn Arabi, more than 700 years ago and translated by Nicholson in his text--expresses the universal spirit of the journey: "My heart has become capable of every form: it is a pasture for gazelles and a convent for Christian monks ... I follow the religion of Love, whichever way his camels take. My religion and my faith is the true religion."

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