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The Cambridge Companion to Sufism Paperback – 12 August 2014
by Lloyd Ridgeon (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 6 ratings
Part of: Cambridge Companions to Religion (77 books)
Sufism, the mystical or aesthetic doctrine in Islam, has occupied a very specific place in the Islamic tradition, with its own history, literature and devotional practices. Its development began in the seventh century and spread throughout the Islamic world. The Cambridge Companion to Sufism traces its evolution from the formative period to the present, addressing specific themes along the way within the context of the times. In a section discussing the early period, the devotional practices of the earliest Sufis are considered. The section on the medieval period, when Sufism was at its height, examines Sufi doctrines, different forms of mysticism and the antinomian expressions of Sufism. The section on the modern period explains the controversies that surrounded Sufism, the changes that took place in the colonial period and how Sufism transformed into a transnational movement in the twentieth century. This inimitable volume sheds light on a multifaceted and alternative aspect of Islamic history and religion.
Review
'… this volume offers a beautiful doorway to Sufism.' J. Hammer, Choice
'The volume's contributors distinguish themselves by their expertise. The uniformity of transcription and citation should also be applauded, given how difficult such uniformity is to achieve in an anthology. As mentioned, the volume addresses itself to an academic readership. Of help to the academic reader are comprehensive footnotes, mostly referring to an abundance of secondary works, and the further references at the end of the articles, except chapters 5 and 12. Also helpful are an index of names of individuals, a list of technical terms and names of groups, and a register of English terms and place names. Thus the volume may be absolutely recommended to anyone with a basic knowledge of Sufism who wants to delve more deeply into particular issues.' Angelika Brodersen, Die Welt des Islams
Book Description
This book traces the evolution of Sufism from the formative period to the present.
Book Description
Sufism, the mystical or aesthetic doctrine in Islam, has occupied a very specific place in the Islamic tradition, with its own history, literature and devotional practices. The Cambridge Companion to Sufism traces its evolution from the formative period to the present, shedding light on a multifaceted and alternative aspect of Islamic history and religion.
The Cambridge Companion to Sufism Paperback – 12 August 2014
by Lloyd Ridgeon (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 6 ratings
Part of: Cambridge Companions to Religion (77 books)
Sufism, the mystical or aesthetic doctrine in Islam, has occupied a very specific place in the Islamic tradition, with its own history, literature and devotional practices. Its development began in the seventh century and spread throughout the Islamic world. The Cambridge Companion to Sufism traces its evolution from the formative period to the present, addressing specific themes along the way within the context of the times. In a section discussing the early period, the devotional practices of the earliest Sufis are considered. The section on the medieval period, when Sufism was at its height, examines Sufi doctrines, different forms of mysticism and the antinomian expressions of Sufism. The section on the modern period explains the controversies that surrounded Sufism, the changes that took place in the colonial period and how Sufism transformed into a transnational movement in the twentieth century. This inimitable volume sheds light on a multifaceted and alternative aspect of Islamic history and religion.
Review
'… this volume offers a beautiful doorway to Sufism.' J. Hammer, Choice
'The volume's contributors distinguish themselves by their expertise. The uniformity of transcription and citation should also be applauded, given how difficult such uniformity is to achieve in an anthology. As mentioned, the volume addresses itself to an academic readership. Of help to the academic reader are comprehensive footnotes, mostly referring to an abundance of secondary works, and the further references at the end of the articles, except chapters 5 and 12. Also helpful are an index of names of individuals, a list of technical terms and names of groups, and a register of English terms and place names. Thus the volume may be absolutely recommended to anyone with a basic knowledge of Sufism who wants to delve more deeply into particular issues.' Angelika Brodersen, Die Welt des Islams
Book Description
This book traces the evolution of Sufism from the formative period to the present.
Book Description
Sufism, the mystical or aesthetic doctrine in Islam, has occupied a very specific place in the Islamic tradition, with its own history, literature and devotional practices. The Cambridge Companion to Sufism traces its evolution from the formative period to the present, shedding light on a multifaceted and alternative aspect of Islamic history and religion.
About the Author
Lloyd Ridgeon is Reader in Islamic Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. His previous publications include Javanmardi: A Sufi Code of Honour (2011) and ===
Mr B
3.0 out of 5 stars Cambridge companion to SufismReviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 December 2014
Verified Purchase
When I ordered this it was not scheduled for publication until January 2015, and I it was ordered on the expectation that it would be of the same standard as my Companion to Plato, and Companion to Plotinus. I have not looked back to see if a publishers 'brief' was evident, but in this case it seems to be 'to bring it up to date;' something which would be difficult in itself because of the variety of perceptions as to what Sufis are and what Sufism accordingly, is. The essays are in three sections: the early period; the medieaval period; and, not surprisingly, the modern period (my paraphrasing). What I found in the first four essays was a dominance of references. The minute I see Brill, as the publisher of one source of information, I think forget it, even one of Professor Lewisohn's books was £68. I accept that academics will have the onus to write for other academics, but there is a large untapped body of the interested, which Schimmel and Chittick seem to have sussed out a long time ago.Indries Shah and Coleman Berks certainly, I would put in a totaly different kind of category. I am fully aware of the pressure on young academics to show they have done their reading, but I do feel that the whole of this practice - which starts at undergraduate level, needs to be readdressed. Both Hadot and Bloom have made the same point that students are encouraged to replicate the thoughts of their professors, at university level. So we have claims for originality, which means little is we are to accept that 'there is nothing new under the sun', or the culture of producing obscurity, and this applies as much modern philosophy as it does to something described alternatively as esoteric or theurgic. One of the appeals, it seems to me, of modern Islamic evangelicalism, is that it offers a discipline which is easier to take on board because it is imposed from the 'outside'. I remember reading a report of a talk by Helmut Kalminski - who I have a lot of respect for, being asked the question: 'Does one have to become Muslim to become a Sufi?' And the question was hedged.Reading the last two chapters, which while very interesting, seemed to be a natural development from Helminski's non-answer, to no. As a medievalist at heart, I was saddened. I ran a workshop on Rumi for a year, and stopped because I was personally getting more interested in what Rumi was teaching through his poetry, than the poetry itself; but the students were more interested in the poetry. I met some American-Iranians in the summer, but who only said, 'know a lot about our culture,' and that was it; not why I was interested; replicating the same perspective. Surely the whole point of what Gurdjieff and the Study Society were seeking, was not something as an orientalised Keats or Wordsworth, but something fundamental, and very practical. I am also not impressed by those who take the feminist approach, and simply regurgitate the same style as their male counterpoints. There are an awful lot of names mentioned or referred to in this Companion, and unfortunately some of it reads like an informed Wickopidea entry. I would rather read about those from Bistami and Junaid to Rumi and San'ai, and what they taught, than some so-called claimed modern Sufi. Rumi said: 'Words stop at the abyss.' , but then, I do not know what brief the editor was given.
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