Islamic mysticism : : a short history / / Alexander Knysh.

• Superior document: Themes in Islamic studies ; vol. 1
• Author: Knysh, Alexander D.
• Place / Publishing House: Leiden ;, Boston : : Brill,, 2000.
• Year of Publication: 2000
• Language: English
• Series: Themes in Islamic studies ; 1.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (372 pages)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

The book provides a general survey of the history of Islamic mysticism (Sufism) since its inception up to the modern time. It combines chronological and personality-based approaches to the subject with a thematic discussion of principal Sufi notions and institutions. Sufism is examined from a variety of different perspectives: as a vibrant social institution, a specific form of artistic expression (mainly poetic), an ascetic and contemplative practice, and a distinctive intellectual tradition that derived its vitality from a dialogue with other strands of Islamic thought. The book emphasizes the wide variety of Sufism's interactions with the society and its institutions from an ascetic withdrawal from the world to an active involvement in its affairs by individual Sufi masters and organizations. Islamic Mysticism by Knysh is a comprehensive survey of the interesting and fascinating world of Islamic Mysticism.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Material -- INTRODUCTION -- THE BEGINNINGS -- ASCETICISM AND MYSTICISM IN WESTERN PROVINCES: SYRIA AND EGYPT -- THE SUFISM OF THE BAGHDAD SCHOOL -- THE “INTOXICATED” MYSTICISM OF AL-BISṬĀMĪ AND AL-ḤALLĀJ -- ASCETIC AND MYSTICAL MOVEMENTS IN BAṢRA AND KHURĀSĀN -- THE SYSTEMATIZATION OF THE SUFI TRADITION -- SUFISM AS LITERATURE AND METAPHYSICS: THE GRAND MASTERS OF SUFI POETRY AND PHILOSOPHY -- UNITY AND DIVERSITY IN SUFISM. THE RISE OF THE ṬARĪQAS -- SUFI INSTITUTIONS IN REGIONAL CONTEXTS OVER THE LAST SIX CENTURIES -- MAJOR SUFI CONCEPTS AND INSTITUTIONS -- GENERAL CONCLUSION -- BIBLIOGRAPHY -- GENERAL INDEX -- INDEX OF BOOK TITLES -- INDEX OF TERMS.