Studies in Islamic Mysticism

Professor Nicholson examines the life, work and teaching of three of the most important of the early Súfís.

Reynold A. Nicholson (Author)

9780521295468, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 30 August 1979

300 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.7 cm, 0.38 kg

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 Súfís - the Persians Abú Sa'íd (937–1049) and Al-Jílí (1365–1406), and the Cairene Arab Ibnu l-Fárid (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. Súfism, as Professor Nicholson suggests, lies at the heart both of the religious philosophy and the popular religion of Islam.

Part I: Abú Sa'íd 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: Jílí's 'Ayniyya
Appendix II: some notes on the Fusúsu 'l-Hikam
Part III: The Odes of Ibnu 'l-Fárid
Indices.

Subject Areas: General & world history [HBG]