Lings: Sufi Saint 20th Century: His Spiritual Heritage and Legacy - Hardcover

Lings

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0520024869 ISBN 13: 9780520024861

Publisher: University of California Press, 1992

Synopsis

'Almost a prerequisite for any serious study of Sufism in European languages': this was the verdict of Seyyed Hossein Nasr in his review of the first edition of the book. According to the Journal of Near Eastern Studies, it is 'one of the most thorough and intimately engaging books on Sufism to be produced by a Western scholar'. Certainly there is nothing second-hand about it. The author lets Sufis speak for themselves and, in a series of unusual and absorbing texts mainly translated from Arabic, he gives a vivid picture of life in a North African Sufi order. Against this background stands the unforgettable figure of the Algerian Shaikh who was head of the order from 1909 until his death in 1934. The last few chapters are mainly devoted to his writings, which include some penetrating aphorisms, and which end with a small anthology of his remarkable mystic poems.

About this title

Review:

'A masterly study of a man whose sanctity recalled the golden age of medieval mystics. In this well documented book Dr Lings draws on many rare sources...and has made some important original contributions.' -- A. J. Arberry

'Even for those Westerners lacking even a basic knowledge of Islam, this book will benefit any sincere seeker of the spiritual path.' -- Muslim World Book Review

'What Martin Lings adds by way of commentary is of the greatest significance and may serve as a key to a deeper understanding of Islam as a whole.' -- Titus Burckhardt

From the Publisher:

‘A masterly study of a man whose sanctity recalled the golden age of medieval mystics. In this well documented book Dr Lings draws on many rare sources...and has made some important original contributions.’ A. J. Arberry

About this edition

• Publisher: University of California Press
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0520024869
• ISBN 13: 9780520024861
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 242