Studies in Islamic mysticism

Bibliographic Information

Studies in Islamic mysticism

Reynold A. Nicholson

Cambridge University Press, 1978

1st pbk. ed

  • : pbk

Available at  / 12 libraries

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Note

Includes bibliographical references and indexes

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Mysticism is such a vital element in Islam that without some understanding of its ideas and of the particular forms which they assume it is hard to penetrate below the surface of Muslim religious life. In this book, which was first published in 1921, Professor Nicholson examines the life, work and teaching of three of the most important of the early Sufis - the Persians Abu Sa'id (937-1049) and Al-Jili (1365-1406), and the Cairene Arab Ibnu l-Farid (1182-1235). These great mystics were almost legendary figures; possessors of occult and mysterious powers, whose tombs became holy shrines. They were regarded in effect as saints, but saints canonised by the people while still living, not posthumously by the church. Sufism, as Professor Nicholson suggests, lies at the heart both of the religious philosophy and the popular religion of Islam.

Table of Contents

  • Part I: Abu Sa'id Ibn Abi 'l-khayr
  • Part II. The Perfect Man: 1. Essence, attribute, and name
  • 2. The descent of the absolute
  • 3. The essence as God
  • 4. The heavenly man
  • 5. The macrocosm
  • 6. The return to the essence
  • 7. Religion, revelation and prophecy
  • Appendix I: Jili's 'Ayniyya
  • Appendix II: some notes on the Fususu 'l-Hikam
  • Part III: The Odes of Ibnu 'l-Farid
  • Indices.

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Details

  • NCID
    BA10185187
  • ISBN
    • 0521295467
  • Country Code
    uk
  • Title Language Code
    eng
  • Text Language Code
    engper
  • Place of Publication
    Cambridge
  • Pages/Volumes
    xii, 282 p.
  • Size
    22 cm
  • Classification
  • Subject Headings
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