Companionship and Virtue in Classical Sufism: The Contribution of al-Sulami

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Description

Al-Sulami (d. 412/1021) was an influential classical Sufi master whose works espoused companionship as a way for believers to experience Gods guidance and cultivate religious virtues. This book provides a historical reconstruction of Sufi companionship in Khurasan in the period, arguing that al-Sulami's concept of suhba (companionship) envisioned the transformation of society as whole, not just the master-disciple relationship. Bringing debates in contemporary virtue ethics to bear on al-Sulami's spiritual method, the book offers an original analysis of the latters thought that will be of interest to scholars of early Islam and classical Sufism as well as moral theologians interested in virtue ethics, character and friendship.

Reviews

Welles careful analysis of al-Sulami brings the study of Sufi virtue ethics to new heights. His treatment of the primary sources is masterful and informed, drawing from a nuanced understanding of MacIntyre's philosophical framework. This is a major contribution to the study of Sufism, adab literature, and Islamic ethics. * Cyrus Ali Zargar, Professor, University of Central Florida *
Al-Sulami was a towering Sufi author of his own period and beyond. Welle cracks open new dimensions of this prominent and prolific Sufis thought by bringing in insights from Alasdair MacIntyre to bear on al-Sulamis treatise on companionship a major contribution to our understanding of this key figure. * Ahmet T. Karamustafa, Professor, University of Maryland, USA *

Author Bio

Jason Welle is Assistant Professor of Comparative Theology at Boston College, USA. He holds a Ph.D. in Theological and Religious Studies from Georgetown University, USA.