Sūfism, the religious philosophy of Islam, is described in the oldest extant definition as 'the apprehension of divine realities,' and Mohammedan mystics are fond of calling themselves Ahl al-Haqq, 'the followers of the Real.' In attempting to set forth their central doctrines from this point of view, the author draws to some extent on materials which he has collected for a history of Islamic mysticism. This edition provides an easy approach to the study of Islamic mysticism. Apart what the general reader requires to be told at first about Sūfism; the book includes a large amount of material that will be new even to professional Orientalists. Dr. Nicholson sets before us the results of twenty years' unremitting labour, and that, too, with remarkable simplicity and clarity for such a subject; at the same time he lets the mystics mostly speak for themselves and mainly in his own fine versions from the original Arabic and Persian.

Readings from the Mystics of Islam is an anthology of writings from Islamic mysticism's greatest masters of wisdom, translated and edited by renowned scholar of Sufism Margaret Smith. The collection ranges from the beginnings of Sufism in the 8th century to the modern era, and includes jewels of mystical thought and experience from Rabi'a, al-Hallaj, Rumi, Ibn 'Arabi and Hafiz.

"A concise but authentic account." — Islamic Review. The first concise history of Sufism to appear in any language, this work remains among the best. A noted scholar offers insights into every aspect of Sufism, from interpretation of the word of God and the life of the Prophet to the theorists of Sufism, the structure of Sufi theory and practice, and more.

Experts: Sufism, the religious philosophy of Islam, is described in the oldest extant definition as the apprehension of divine realities, and Mohammedan mystics are fond of calling themselves Ahl al-Haqq, 'the followers of the Real.' In attempting to set forth their central doctrines from this point of view, I shall draw to some extent on materials which I have collected during the last twenty years for a general history of Islamic mysticism-a subject so vast and many-sided that several large volumes would be required to do it anything like justice. Here I can only sketch in broad outline certain principles, methods, and characteristic features of the inner life as it has been lived by Moslems of every class and condition from the eighth century of our era to the present day... The Sufi who sets out to seek God calls himself a 'traveler' (salik); he advances by slow 'stages' (maqamat) along a 'path' (tariqat) to the goal of union with Reality...

Reproduction of the original: Mystics and Saints of Islam by Claud Field

First published in 1998. The following essays conclude a series of five, which fall into two groups and are therefore published in separate volumes. While mysticism, save for a few casual references, found no place in the studies on the Lubdbu 'l-Albdb of 'Awff and the Luzumiyydt of Abu '1-'Ala al-Ma'arri, in these now brought together it has taken entire possession of the field. Ibnu 'l-Farid, indeed, is an exquisite poet; and the picture of Abu Sa'id ibn Abi '1-Khayr, drawn by pious faith and coloured with legendary romance, may be looked upon as a work of art in its way. But on the whole the literary interest of the present volume is subordinate to the religious and philosophical. The author has tried to make the reader acquainted with three Sufis famous in the East and worthy of being known in Europe.

This volume makes available and accessible the writings of the crucial early period of Islamic mysticism during which Sufism developed as one of the world's major mystical traditions. The texts are accompanied by commentary on their historical, literary and philosophical context.