Mystical Islam: An Introduction to Sufism

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Sufism is Islam's principal mystical tradition. To its followers it provides the inner, esoteric or purely spiritual dimension of the faith. It is a centuries-old path to spirituality with devotees throughout the Islamic world, fundamentally influencing Muslim belief. To non-Muslim observers it remains exotic, mysterious and little-understood. Mystical Islam is an accessible introduction that encompasses the history of the Sufi spiritual tradition, ranging from the great Mughal and Safavid empires of India and Persia to the Whirling Dervishes of Ottoman Turkey. Julian Baldick reveals the continuing relevance of the Sufi spiritual experience and introduces some of the great figures of Sufism: al-Ghazali, Ibn Arabi, Hafiz of Shiraz and Rumi. It is the writings of such masters that reveal the inner beauty of Sufism, while offering followers the most profound insights in their quest for delivery from the narrow confines of the material world. At the same time, the author's reflections on recent Sufi scholarship, and his fresh perspectives on this tradition of belief and devotion, will prove essential for students and highly stimulating for general readers.

Reviews

"'An excellent book' (Robert Irwin in the Times Literary Supplement) 'A challenging and stimulating book in every sense... will command a place on every student reading list' (Ian Richard Netton in the Journal of Semitic Studies)"

Author Bio

Julian Baldick was, until his retirement in 2007, Reader in the Study of Religions at King's College London. He is the author of Homer and the Indo-Europeans: Comparing Mythologies; Black God: The Afroasiatic Roots of Jewish, Christian and Muslim Religions; and Animal and Shaman: Ancient Religions of Central Asia (new edition, 2012), all published by I.B.Tauris.