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Mystical Dimensions of Islam 2nd Edition, Kindle Edition
by Annemarie Schimmel (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 33 ratings
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Thirty-five years after its original publication, Mystical Dimensions of Islam still stands as the most valuable introduction to Sufism, the main form of Islamic mysticism. This edition brings to a new generation of readers Annemarie Schimmel's historical treatment of the transnational phenomenon of Sufism, from its beginnings through the nineteenth century.
Schimmel's sensitivity and deep understanding of Sufism--its origins, development, and historical context--as well as her erudite examination of Sufism as reflected in Islamic poetry, draw readers into the mood, the vision, and the way of the Sufi. In the foreword, distinguished Islam scholar Carl W. Ernst comments on the continuing vitality of Schimmel's book and the advances in the study of Sufism that have occurred since the work first appeared.
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Publisher
The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date
8 August 2011
Product description
Review
A well-balanced and perceptive general introduction to Sufism. . . . It is more than an historical account of the development of Sufism; it also deals with the cultural manifestations of mysticism in Islam.--Contemporary Sociology --This text refers to the paperback edition
About the Author
Annemarie Schimmel (1922-2003) was a renowned German scholar of Islam and author of eighty books, including And Muhammad Is His Messenger: The Veneration of the Prophet in Islamic Piety and A Two-Colored Brocade: The Imagery of Persian Poetry. --This text refers to the paperback edition.
From the Inside Flap
Thirty-five years after its original publication, this book still stands as the most valuable introduction to Sufism, the main form of Islamic mysticism. This edition brings to a new generation of readers Annemarie Schimmel's historical treatment of the transnational phenomenon of Sufism, from its beginnings through the nineteenth century. In the foreword, Carl Ernst comments on the continuing vitality of Schimmel's book and the advances in the study of Sufism since the work first appeared. --This text refers to the paperback edition.
Review
Schimmel is an undisputed authority in this field. . . . [This] is the most comprehensive and satisfactory survey of the subject, filled with as much empathy and feeling as erudition. . . . Invaluable.- History of Religions;
""Comprehensive, detailed, and combines sophistication in religious studies with high-level competence in the original sources. . . . Provides far more detail, depth of analysis, breadth of geographical coverage, and sustained clear explication and interpretation of individual topics than can be found in any other survey [of Sufism] in English.""- Journal of Near Eastern Studies;
""A major addition to the literature on [Sufism], surpassing in scope and detail all general surveys of Sufism that have hitherto been attempted in western languages. It is destined to become not only a standard introductory textbook, but also a primary source of reference for those who concern themselves, in more specialized manner, with this dimension of Islam. . . . Rich, learned, comprehensive and attractive…a waymark in the western scholarly study of Sufism.""- Journal of the American Oriental Society;
""Beautifully written. . . . The best and most comprehensive study on Islamic mysticism in the English language.""- Religious Studies Review;
""Students of Islam and of comparative religion--as well as those who respond to mysticism--are deeply in the author's debt for giving us what will surely be the standard treatment of Sufism for a long time to come.""- America;
""Combines scholarly criticism with sympathetic appreciation. . . . Progresses historically from the rise of Islam to the modern day, with ample commentary and phenomenological discussion.""- Journal of the American Academy of Religion;
""One of the best general books on Sufism.""- The Jewish Quarterly Review;
""A superb achievement. . . . The author has read all the mystics in the original, and all the important works by European scholars. Yet this solid scholarship (evidenced also by the very full bibliography) is completely hidden by a charming and eminently readable style, and by a sureness and lightness of touch which retain the interest of the reader and carry him effortless along.""- Journal of Semitic Studies;
""The approach is comprehensive and informal, the style anecdotal and entertaining, the author's erudition never obtrusive but always reassuringly present."" - Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London;
""A truly beautiful book. . . . Radiates an elegance of style. . . . Replete not only with the poetic insight of the author but with her unquestioned scholarly mastery over materials from the vast culture-sphere of Islam.""- International Journal for Philosophy of Religion;
""Mystical Dimensions of Islam, from its first appearance in 1975, has become the standard English-language handbook on the subject of Sufism. . . . No scholar in the last half of the twentieth century had a greater impact on the study of Islamic mysticism than Annemarie Schimmel.""- Carl W. Ernst, from the foreword --This text refers to the paperback edition.
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Product details
ASIN : B006M7Y34Y
Publisher : The University of North Carolina Press; 2 edition (8 August 2011)
Language : English
File size : 2802 KB
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Not Enabled
Word Wise : Not Enabled
Print length : 540 pages
Customer Reviews:
4.5 out of 5 stars 33 ratings
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EMB
4.0 out of 5 stars Not for beginnersReviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 January 2013
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The reason that I have given this book 4 stars instead of 5 really lies within me rather than the book. I actually found the book difficult at times because I am completely unfamiliar with the Arabic language and Arabic names. I therefore found the chains of connections and lineages of important Sufis and Sufi orders, and fine points of difference between complicated concepts that exist between Arabic words that look very similar to someone like me hard to follow. However, I did not doubt for one minute the author's breath of scholarship and I am sure that it is a comprehensive and sympathetic survey of Sufism. I did feel personally that the book is more a history of Sufism and a broad survey of its literature than an accessible introduction to the concepts of Sufism. There is obviously so much more depth and beauty to Islamic beliefs than just the five pillars and the sharia. So I would recommend it to other readers but would suggest that beginners like myself start with something else.
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zai
5.0 out of 5 stars I am not going to get into a chapter wise analysis or review here but will highly recommend it if you are a true seekerReviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 June 2017
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People generally have a stereotypical idea of Islam but this book will give you an insight into many facets of the inner working of a religion-Islam. I am not going to get into a chapter wise analysis or review here but will highly recommend it if you are a true seeker!
Happy to answer any question if you just email me.
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Gogol
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction to IslamReviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 January 2014
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This book is essentially an introduction to Islam or rather traditional Islam and not the stripped down bare and devoid of culture Islam that is today propagated from the Gulf States. The book covers the history and development of Sufism in Islam, its leading founding members up to the establishment of the Sufi paths. There is plenty covering Sufi poetry and a chapter at the end regarding Sufism in the Indo Sub Continent (The authors main specialist field)
The book is extremely well documented and like other great western scholars of Islam such as Nicholson, Browne and Gibb she is sympathetic to her subject. This is one of the best books on the subject in the English language and well worth picking up.
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Iqrabrit
2.0 out of 5 stars Two StarsReviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 May 2018
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IntoTheDialectic
5.0 out of 5 stars Disappearing culture within Islam?Reviewed in the United States on 18 August 2011
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Schimmel's book is a beautiful, respectful, and scholarly study of Sufism, and its related movements within science, mysticism, literature, poetry and state structures. It is a product of many years of insight and erudition, the fruit of dedicated research, and gives vast insight into these mystical and poetic aspects of Islamic civilisation.
It is a very rewarding book. However, it is worth noting that in recent decades, these expressions within Islam are increasingly viewed as heresy, and even as non Islamic, especially since the hardening of attitudes within Islam as a result of being attacked by Western crusaders. The rapidly growing movement towards Wahhabi and Salafi ways of life and belief are putting paid to much of the expression that Schimmel describes in her book. It is accurate to say that many Salafi and Wahhabi adherents would consider much of what Schimmel describes in her research as un- Islamic, and would label it as haram and the lifestyle of the Kaffir, whilst other contemporary scholars might view it as orientalist.
It is a beautiful, insightful book that Schimmel has written -- but, it is also somewhat poignant - if one is at all aware of socio political changes of the past decade, one cannot help but get the impression that the Islam she describes is no longer fully accepted in most of the Islamic world. The relentless Western attacks on Muslim society have made Islam far more austere, rigid, and wary of outside influences and free, controversial expressions of spirituality. Read Nir Rosen and Robert Fisk to learn more about the Muslim world's reaction to the savage Western attacks since the late 40's to the present time, and it will be clear why more and more Muslims are turning to an arguably more intolerant, conservative form of religious expression. Nir Rosen( a journalist of Iranian Jewish Mizrahi origin ) reports that before the American led attack on Iraq, a number of ancient religions existed and even thrived, together, in harmony. Mandeans, Shia, Sunni, Christian, and other Gnostic sects had lived side by side, with a degree of freedom and respect,that was indeed, sometimes brutally compromised but for the most part, had lasted for centuries.
Schimmel's beautiful work seems to represent forms of Islamic expression that have largely decreased now, or, certainly have been put under pressure.
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