Introduction -- Part I Asceticism and Mysticism (zuhd and tasĐawwuf): 1. 'Sufism': Reconsidering terms, definitions and processes -- 2. Zuhd in Islamic Mysticism: Conduct and Attitude -- 3. "Wa-rahbaniyyatan ibtadauha": Monasticism and Asceticism False and Sincere -- Part II Schools and Teachers: 4. Al-HĐakim al-Tirmidhi and the Malamatis of Nishapur -- 5. Teachers and Disciples in Baghdad and Nishapur -- 6. Facing Hostility in Transoxiana: Al-HĐakim al-Tirmidhi and MuhĐammad ibn al-FadĐl. Appendix: The Letters of Abu Abd Allah al-Tirmidhi to MuhĐammad ibn al-FadĐl -- Part III Polarity: 7. "Between Fear and Hope": Coincidence of Opposites in Islamic Mysticism. Appendix -- 8. The Self (nafs) and Her Transformation -- 9. Faces of al-HĐaqq: The Name and the Named -- Part IV The Spiritual hierarchy: 10. Wilaya: Contemplating Friendship with God -- 11. Myrtle and Holy Men: Echoes of Ancient Traditions in a Woman's Dream -- Part V Language and Hermeneutics: 12. The Power of Words: Mystical Linguistics in al-HĐakim al-Tirmidhi -- 13. "The Countless Faces of Understanding": IstinbatĐ, Listening and Exegesis -- Bibliography -- Index.
Summary:
"This monograph explores the original literary produce of Muslim mystics during the 8th -10th centuries, with special attention to 9th c. mystics, such as al-Tustari, al-MuhĐ℗sibi, al-Kharr℗z, al-Junayd and, in particular, al-HĐakim al-Tirmidhi. Unlike other studies dealing with the so-called 'Formative Period', this book focuses on the extant writings of early mystics rather than on the later Sufi compilations. These early mystics articulated what would become a hallmark of Islamic mysticism: a system built around the psychological tension between the self (nafs) and the heart (qalb) and how to overcome it. Through their writings, already at this early phase, the versatility, fluidity and maturity of Islamic mysticism become apparent. This exploration thus reveals that mysticism in Islam emerged earlier than customarily acknowledged, long before Islamic mysticism became generically known as Sufism. The central figure of this book is al-HĐakim al-Tirmidhi, whose teaching and inner world focus on themes such as polarity, the training of the self, the opening of the heart, the Friends of God (al-awliy℗ơ), dreams and visions, divine language, mystical exegesis and more. This monograph thus offers a fuller picture than hitherto presented of the versatility of themes, processes, images, practices, terminology and thought models during this early period. The volume will be a key resource for scholars and students interested in the study of religion, Sufi studies, Late Antiquity and Medieval Islam"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.