Women of Sufism : a hidden treasure : writings and stories of mystic poets, scholars & saints

The luminous presence of women who follow the Sufi Way, the mystical path of Islam, is brought to life here through their sacred songs and poetry, their dreams and visions, and stories of their efforts as they witness the Truth in many realms. These writings reflect the honor and respect for the feminine in the Sufi worldview, and they are shared in the spirit of inspiration and hope for the flourishing contributions of women to the spiritual development of humanity. Spanning the centuries, from the time of the Prophet Muhammad to the present day, the selections are by or about an array of Sufi traditions in different parts of the world, from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East to Europe and America, from beloved members of the Prophet's family to the mystic Rabia al Adawiyya to the modern scholar Annemarie Schimmel. Biographical anecdotes and personal memoirs provide a glimpse into the experience of great saints and contemporary practitioners alike, while providing an introduction to the principles and practices of Sufism. Title Page......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 7 Publisher’s Note......Page 13 Preface......Page 14 Acknowledgments......Page 17 Introduction: Women and Sufism......Page 19 In the Heart of the Prophet......Page 27 Khadija......Page 30 Fatima......Page 33 ‘A’isha......Page 38 Early Sufi Women......Page 44 Rabi‘a al-’Adawiyya......Page 50 Poems and Stories of Rabi‘a......Page 53 Rabi‘a bint Ismail......Page 59 Fatima of Damascus......Page 60 Sha‘wana Ghufayra......Page 62 Tears of Devotion......Page 63 Fatima al-Barda‘iyya......Page 68 Fatima......Page 70 Futayma......Page 71 Al-Wahatiyya......Page 72 A Maiden of the Desert......Page 75 ‘Abda and Amina: Servant and Faith......Page 76 ‘Unayza of Baghdad......Page 78 Waters of Blessing......Page 79 Dream Lessons......Page 83 The Unfolding Universe......Page 94 The Path of Sufism......Page 109 Annemarie Schimmel......Page 117 Women in Mystical Islam......Page 118 Claude Addas......Page 127 Sublime Companions......Page 128 Camille Adams Helminski......Page 133 Mevlevi Women......Page 134 Jahanara......Page 145 Confidant of Spirits......Page 146 Bibi Hayati......Page 150 Our Intoxicating Beloved......Page 151 The Night of Power......Page 152 Nana Asma’u......Page 154 Sufi Women......Page 157 Lamentation for Aisha I......Page 161 So Verily . . .......Page 162 Sayyida Fatima......Page 164 Journey to Reality......Page 165 Noor-un-Nisa Inayat Khan......Page 168 A Woman of Valor......Page 169 Reflections on Retreat......Page 175 Michaela Özelsel......Page 183 In the Lion’s Presence......Page 184 Zhikr......Page 187 Sachiko Murata......Page 191 Soul Bridges......Page 193 The Soul as Virgin Mother......Page 195 Murshida Vera Corda......Page 200 The First Goal of Sufi Mothers......Page 201 First Lessons of Love......Page 202 Etheric Body Massage......Page 204 Farzaneh Milani......Page 206 Fresh Jasmine......Page 207 Aliaa R. Rafea and Aisha Rafea......Page 210 Real Love Means Surrender......Page 211 The Soul’s Longing......Page 212 Hagga Zakiyya......Page 229 Songs of Praise and Supplication: The Munshidin of Egypt......Page 236 O Allah!......Page 239 Musical Remembrance: Sufi Women of Fez......Page 243 In Praise of the Prophet......Page 244 Vision of the Truth by Meeting of the Sun and Moon......Page 247 Sayedeh Nahid Angha......Page 258 Patience (Sabr)......Page 259 Aisha Gouverneur......Page 267 Purifying the Heart......Page 269 Essential Zhikr for a New Murid......Page 271 Yearning for Truth......Page 276 Avidye Koca......Page 292 I Rubbed My Face upon Your Feet......Page 293 Today, I Reached My Pir......Page 294 You Have to Love People......Page 297 Erler Demine......Page 308 Samiha Ayverdi......Page 311 Awakening......Page 312 Bibliography......Page 316 E-mail Sign-Up......Page 322 This collection of Sufi poetry and songs is “an inspiring source to deepen our knowledge of Sufism by the examples and teachings of . . . beautiful and wise Sufi women” (Sufism) The luminous presence of women who follow the Sufi Way—the mystical path of Islam—is brought to life here through their sacred songs and poetry, their dreams and visions, and stories of their efforts as they witness the Truth in many realms. These writings reflect the honor and respect for the feminine in the Sufi worldview, and they are shared in the spirit of inspiration and hope for the flourishing contributions of women to the spiritual development of humanity. Spanning the centuries, from the time of the Prophet Muhammad to the present day, the selections are by or about an array of Sufi traditions in different parts of the world, from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East to Europe and America—from beloved members of the Prophet’s family to the mystic Rabi’a al-Adawiyya to the modern scholar Annemarie Schimmel. Biographical anecdotes and personal memoirs provide a glimpse into the experience of great saints and contemporary practitioners alike, while providing an introduction to the principles and practices of Sufism.