Shadows of the Prophet: Martial Arts and Sufi Mysticism (Muslims in Global Societies Series Book 2)

This is the first in-depth study of the Malay martial art, silat, and the first ethnographic account of the Haqqani Islamic Sufi Order. Drawing on 12 years of research and practice in Malaysia, Singapore, and England, social anthropologist and martial arts expert D.S. Farrer considers Malay silat through the transnational Sufi silat group called Seni Silat Haqq, an off-shoot of the Haqqani-Naqshbandi Sufi Order. This account combines theories from the anthropology of art, embodiment, enchantment, and performance to show how war magic and warrior religion amalgamate in traditional Malay martial arts, where practitioners distance themselves from “becoming animal” or going into trance, preferring a practice of spontaneous bodily movement by summoning the power of Allah. Silat and Sufism are revealed through the social dramas of 40-day boot-camps where Malay and European practitioners endeavor to become shadows of the Prophet, only to have their faith tested through a ritual ordeal of boiling oil. The unseen realm and magical embodiment is further approached through an account of Malay deathscapes where moving through the patterns of silat summons the spirits of ancestral heroes. Those interested in Malaysia, Sufism, transnational Islam, and the study of religion, conversion, magic, sorcery, theatre and martial arts will find this book indispensable. "__the eagerly awaited monograph on the practice of__ silat" Joel S. Kahn "__No other work on__ silat __has achieved this level of inside understanding__" Roxana Waterson This is the first in-depth study of the Malay martial art, silat, and the first ethnographic account of the Haqqani Islamic Sufi Order. Drawing on 12 years of research and practice in Malaysia, Singapore, and England, social anthropologist and martial arts expert D.S. Farrer considers Malay silat through the transnational Sufi silat group called Seni Silat Haqq, an off-shoot of the Haqqani-Naqshbandi Sufi Order. This account combines theories from the anthropology of art, embodiment, enchantment, and performance to show how war magic and warrior religion amalgamate in traditional Malay martial arts, where practitioners distance themselves from "(Bbecoming animal" or going into trance, preferring a practice of spontaneous bodily movement by summoning the power of Allah. Silat and Sufism are revealed through the social dramas of 40-day boot-camps where Malay and European practitioners endeavor to become shadows of the Prophet, only to have their faith tested through a ritual ordeal of boiling oil. The unseen realm and magical embodiment is further approached through an account of Malay deathscapes where moving through the patterns of silat summons the spirits of ancestral heroes. Those interested in Malaysia, Sufism, transnational Islam, and the study of religion, conversion, magic, sorcery, theatre and martial arts will find this book indispensable."the eagerly awaited monograph on the practice of silat" Joel S. Kahn"No other work on silat has achieved this level of inside understanding" Roxana Waterson Front Matter....Pages I-XX Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Seni Silat Haqq Melayu: A Sufi Martial Art....Pages 3-42 Silat: Art, Magic and Performance....Pages 43-84 Front Matter....Pages 85-85 The Performance of Enchantment....Pages 87-132 The Enchantment of Performance....Pages 133-172 Front Matter....Pages 173-173 The Guru Silat....Pages 175-198 Social and Aesthetic Drama....Pages 199-221 Front Matter....Pages 223-223 Divination and Revelation....Pages 225-250 Deathscapes of the Malay Martial Artist....Pages 251-270 Back Matter....Pages 271-311 Reflections.- Seni Silat Haqq A Sufi Martial Art.- Art, Magic and Performance.- Echoes.- The Performance of Enchantment.- The Enchantment of Performance.- Doubles.- The Guru Silat.- Social and Aesthetic Drama.- Shadows.- Divination and Revelation.- Deathscapes of the Malay Martial Artist. This is the first in-depth study of the Malay martial art, silat, and the first ethnographic account of the Haqqani Islamic Sufi Order. Drawing on 12 years of research and practice, the author provides a major contribution to the study of Malay culture. D. S. Farrer. Based On The Author's Doctoral Dissertation, 2006. Include Bibliographical References (p. 285-302) And Index.