
This volume offers a clear and welcoming entry into the world of Islamic mysticism, guiding listeners through the origins and evolution of Sufism. Drawing on two decades of scholarly research, the author presents the essential teachings and poetic expressions of the mystics, letting many of their own words shine in faithful translations from Arabic and Persian. The narrative balances academic insight with an accessible style, making the complex spiritual tradition understandable to anyone curious about the inner life of Islam.
Listeners will discover how Sufi seekers have described their quest for the divine, the rituals and meditative practices that shape their path, and the ways these ideas have intertwined with broader Islamic history. The book also places Sufism in a comparative context, highlighting common threads it shares with other mystical traditions while respecting its unique cultural roots. By the end of the first part, you’ll have a solid grasp of the fundamental concepts that have guided generations of seekers toward the “Real.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (228K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
United Kingdom: G. Bell & Sons Ltd., 1914.
Credits
Tim Lindell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2022-02-12
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1868–1945
Best known for bringing Sufi classics to English readers, this Cambridge scholar helped open up Persian and Islamic mysticism for generations of students. His translations and studies of Rumi and Ibn Arabi remain central to the field.
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