The Cambridge Companion to Sufism (Cambridge Companions to Religion)

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, almost immediately after the early conquests, 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 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. -- Provided by publisher 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. Origins And Early Sufism / Christopher Melchert -- 2. Pious Sufi Women / Laury Silvers -- 3. Sufi Rituals / Erik Ohlander -- 4. Morality In Early Sufi Literature / Saeko Yazaki -- 5. Sufism And Mysticism / Lloyd Ridgeon -- 6. Sufism And Persian Love Poetry / Leonard Lewisohn -- 7. Antinomian Sufism / Ahmed Karamustafa -- 8. Nana Asma'u: 19c West African Sufi / Beverly B Mack -- 9. Sufism And Colonialism / Vikor Knut -- 10. Sufism In The West / Ron Geaves -- 11. Sufism In The Age Of Globalization / Itzchak Weismann -- 12. Transnationalism And Regional Cults / Pnina Werbner. Edited By Lloyd Ridgeon. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. 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 publisher's description The_Cambridge_Companion_to_Sufism 1 Contents 7 Figures 9 Contributors 11 Preface 15 The_Early_Period 17 Origins_and_Early_Sufism 19 Early_Pious_Mystic_Sufi_Women 40 Early_Sufi_Rituals_Beliefs_and_Hermeneutics 69 Morality_in_Early_Sufi_Literature 90 Medieval_Sufism 115 Antinomian_Sufis1 117 Mysticism_in_Medieval_Sufism 141 Sufisms_Religion_of_Love_from_Rbia_to_Ibn_Arab 166 Sufism_in_the_Modern_Age 197 Nana_Asmau_Nineteenth-Century_West_African_Sufi1 199 Sufism_and_Colonialism 228 Sufism_in_the_West 249 Sufism_in_the_Age_of_Globalization 273 Transnationalism_and_Regional_Cults 298 Names_of_Individuals 317 Technical_Terms_and_Names_of_Groups 322 English_Terms_Place_Names 325