The Doctrine of the Sufis - Hardcover

Arthur J. Arberry

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 8171511996 ISBN 13: 9788171511990

Publisher: Kitab Bhavan, 2000

Synopsis

Doctrine of the Sufis: Kitab Ta'arruf Li-Madhhab ahl al-Tasawwuf [i#3680 3F2 HB 171pp 81743565175 Adam Publishers, By Abu Bakr al- Kalabadhi, Tr. AJ Arberry, valuable] A reissue of the English translation of a classic Arabic text in the history of Sufism the Mystical aspect of Islam. Professor Arberry's translation, first published in 1935, has long been unobtainable, and it is hoped that this new printing will be of value not only to scholars but also to general readers interested in mysticism and, comparatives religion. Little is known of the author of this treatise, Abu Bakr al-Kalabadhi, except that he was a lawyer and died in Bukhara in about A.D. 990 (A.H. 380). His book, Kitab al-Ta `arruf li-madhhab ahi al- Tasawwuf, ` The Doctrine of the Stifls', is the work on which his fame rests. It is important because it is the earliest extant text to reconcile the position of Sufism and orthodox Islam. It was immediately accepted as authoritative and has been esteemed by the Arabs, especially by the Sufis, as perhaps the most valuable compendium of Sufism in print. This book is one of the most valuable and important work on Sufism. The book consists of five parts: a general introduction on the meaning of the term Sufi and an enumeration of the names of great Sufis a statement of the tenets of Islam, as accepted by the Sufis, a discussion of the various `stations' of the Sufis such as fear, hope and love: the expressions used by them to designate true mystical experience, union with God; and a discussion of the various phenomena of Sufism. Throughout, Arberry has tried to preserve the beauty and simplicity of the original text, without departing from a literal translation, and has provided sensitive English verse.

About this title

Review

This is a traditional Sufi (Sunni) work written by the Sufi master Abu Bakr Al-Kalabadhi, known and respected by the Sufis for 1000 years. This work mentions the disagreements in doctrine within the different Sufi Tariqahs. In general the translation is spot on, non-literal - as it cannot be when dealing with the esoteric, and in my opinion Arberry does it justice. --By A. S. Abdulbari 27 June 2011

Book Description

This 1935 English translation of a classic Arabic text in Sūfīsm, the mystical aspect of Islam, by A. J. Arberry preserves the beauty and simplicity of the original without departing from a literal translation. The original is important because it is the earliest extant text to reconcile Sūfīsm and orthodox Islam.

About this edition

• Publisher: Kitab Bhavan
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 8171511996
• ISBN 13: 9788171511990
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 192