Download or read book Hallaj written by Husayn ibn Mansur Hallaj and published by Northwestern University Press. This book was released on 2018-07-15 with total page 216 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Winner of the Global Humanities Translation Prize Hallaj is the first authoritative translation of the Arabic poetry of Husayn ibn Mansur al-Hallaj, an early Sufi mystic. Despite his execution in Baghdad in 922 and the subsequent suppression of his work, Hallaj left an enduring literary and spiritual legacy that continues to inspire readers around the world. In Hallaj, Carl W. Ernst offers a definitive collection of 117 of Hallaj’s poems expertly translated for contemporary readers interested in Middle Eastern and Sufi poetry and spirituality. Ernst’s fresh and direct translations reveal Hallaj’s wide range of themes and genres, from courtly love poems to metaphysical reflections on union with God. In a fascinating introduction, Ernst traces Hallaj’s dramatic story within classical Islamic civilization and early Arabic Sufi poetry. Setting himself apart by revealing Sufi secrets to the world, Hallaj was both celebrated and condemned for declaring: “I am the Truth.” Expressing lyrics and ideas still heard in popular songs, the works of Hallaj remain vital and fresh even a thousand years after their composition. They reveal him as a master of spiritual poetry centuries before Rumi, who regarded Hallaj as a model. This unique collection makes it possible to appreciate the poems on their own, as part of the tragic legend of Hallaj, and as a formidable legacy of Middle Eastern culture. The Global Humanities Translation Prize is awarded annually to a previously unpublished translation that strikes the delicate balance between scholarly rigor, aesthetic grace, and general readability, as judged by a rotating committee of Northwestern faculty, distinguished international scholars, writers, and public intellectuals. The Prize is organized by the Global Humanities Initiative, which is jointly supported by Northwestern University’s Buffett Institute for Global Studies and Kaplan Institute for the Humanities.

Download or read book The Tawasin written by Mansur Hallaj and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2013-08-20 with total page 324 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: MANSUR HALLAJ: THE TAWASIN(Book of the Purity of the Glory of the One)Translation & Introduction Paul SmithThe Perfect Master, poet & martyr, Husayn Mansur al-Hallaj (died 919), was born near Shiraz and was tortured and executed in Baghdad for declaring: "I am the Truth (Anal Haq)." Much has been written about his famous (and in¬famous) statement and his masterpiece The Tawasin in which he makes it. 'Written in rhymed Arabic prose... it sets forth a doctrine of saintship-a doctrine founded on personal experience and clothed in the form of a subtle yet passionate dialectic.' R.A. Nicholson. The Introduction here contains: The Life, Times and Works of Mansur Hallaj, The Perfect Master (Qutub), 'Anal-Haq' or 'I am the Truth' of Mansur Hallaj, Four Master Poets of Baghdad who influenced Hallaj and A Selection of Poetry from the Persian, Turkish, Pushtu & Urdu Poets about or influenced by Mansur Hallaj. Appendix: The Story of Idris (Azazil) and Adam From 'The Book of Genesis' of Shahin of Shiraz. This is a free-form poetic translation that captures the beauty, meaning, profundity of this classic of Sufism. Pages 264.COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S TRANSLATION OF HAFIZ'S 'DIVAN'."It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished. If he comes to Iran I will kiss the fingertips that wrote such a masterpiece inspired by the Creator of all." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran."Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator from English into Persian, knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart."Smith has probably put together the greatest collection of literary facts and history concerning Hafiz." Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin Books author).Paul Smith is a poet, author and translator of over 80 books of Sufi poets from the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages... including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre, Shah Latif, Bulleh Shah, Mahsati, Lalla Ded, Nazir Akbarabadi and many others, as well as poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and a dozen screenplays.

Download or read book The Book of Mansur Hallaj written by Paul Smith and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2014-07-21 with total page 346 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: THE BOOK OF MANSUR HALLAJ Selected Poems & The Tawasin Translation & Introduction Paul Smith The Perfect Master, poet & martyr, Husayn Mansur al-Hallaj (died 919), was born in Shiraz and tortured and executed in Baghdad for declaring: "I am the Truth (Anal Haq)." Much has been written about his famous (and in¬famous) statement, but few of his powerful, often mysteries and always deeply conscious and spiritual poems in Arabic have been translated before from his Divan into English, and in the poetic form in which they were composed. Now here they all are! Included is The Tawasin. 'Written in rhymed Arabic prose... it sets forth a doctrine of saintship-a doctrine founded on personal experience and clothed in the form of a subtle yet passionate dialectic.' This is a free-form poetic translation that captures the beauty and meaning and the mystery and the profundity of this controversial classic of Sufism.The Introduction contains: The Life, Times and Works of Mansur Hallaj, The Perfect Master (Qutub), 'Anal-Haq' or 'I am the Truth' of Mansur Hallaj, Four Master Poets of Baghdad who influenced Hallaj, Sufis & Dervishes: Their Art & Use of Poetry. There is a wide selection of his qit'as, ghazals, ruba'is, qasidas. A Selection of Poetry from the Persian, Turkish & Pashtu poetry about or influenced by him. Appendix: The Story of Iblis (Azazil) and Adam From 'The Book of Genesis' of Shahin of Shiraz that relates to his Tawasin. Large Format 7" x 10." Pages 323. COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S TRANSLATION OF HAFIZ'S 'DIVAN'. "It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished. If he comes to Iran I will kiss the fingertips that wrote such a masterpiece inspired by the Creator of all." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran. "Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator from English into Persian, knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart. "Smith has probably put together the greatest collection of literary facts and history concerning Hafiz." Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin Books author). Paul Smith is a poet, author and translator of over 150 books of Sufi poets from the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages... including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre, Shah Latif, Bulleh Shah, Mahsati, Lalla Ded, Rahman Baba and many others, as well as poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and a dozen screenplays. www.newhumanitybooksbookheaven.com

Download or read book Mansur Al Hallaj a Life History written by Zafar Ahmad Uthmani and published by . This book was released on 2020-11-18 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The saints of Allah (Ahl-Allah) were always tested in different ways, the prophets (peace be upon them) were tested and examined to a very high degree and the magnitude and intensity of the trails of our Prophet Muhammad (May Allah send Prayers and Peace upon him) becomes clear to us through the study of Qur'an and Ahadith. Many among the Ummah had trodden such paths and destinies where even the strongest and the mightiest would have perished. Even if we overlook the events of display of Ishq Ilahi (Divine Love) and sacrifices during the era of the Sahaaba & Tabi'een (May Allah be Pleased with Them) and take a look at the later stages, then too it will only make the list of trials and examinations lengthier. The name of Husayn Ibn Mansur Hallaj (May Allah's Mercy be upon him) and the utterance of "Ana al-Haqq" has been written in big and bold words in this lengthy list.A prominent feature of the trail of Husayn Ibn Mansur Hallaj is that from the beginning of the 4th century Hijri to the first half of the 14th century, the scholars of the Muslim Ummah have been in extraordinary kind of doubtfulness and uncertainty over his integrity and loyalty regardless of his lofty status, because of the carelessness in the reports playing a huge role in painting a wrong picture of the historical accounts. However, a few elite scholars and the 'Aarifeen (knowers of Allah) had investigated the soundness of the historical accounts and found Husayn b. Mansur to be in the lofty spiritual stage of Aarif Billah and Fana Fillah. When Hakim al-Ummat Hadhrat Thanwi reviewed these investigations, he found the trails of Husayn b. Mansur similar to the trails of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (may Allah be pleased with him). In order to illustrate this fact, Hakim al-Ummat (May Allah be pleased with him) collected all the materials available in the form of historical traditions and research references related to Husayn b, Mansur and in the light of the collected materials, ordered his prominent student, Maulana Zafar Ahmad 'Uthmani to compile such a complete biography of Shaykh Fana fi-Allah Husayn b. Mansur (May Allah be Pleased with him) which along with explaining his lofty status and mysticism and the lofty stage of his Divine love, also refutes the allegations, doubts and uncertainties surrounding him. Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmani

Download or read book Al Hallaj written by Herbert I. W. Mason and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2013-09-13 with total page 124 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The life and teachings of Islam's most dramatic and controversial mystic, Husayn ibn Mansur, better known as Al-Hallaj (the reader of hearts).

Download or read book Ta Sin written by al-Ḥusayn ibn Manṣūr Ḥallāj and published by . This book was released on 1994-03-01 with total page 68 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Passion of Al Hallaj Mystic and Martyr of Islam Volume 1 written by Louis Massignon and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2019-08-06 with total page 730 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Volume 1 of 4. Encompassing the whole milieu of early Islamic civilization, this major work of Western orientalism explores the meaning of the life and teaching of the tenth-century mystic and martyr, al-Hallaj. With profound spiritual insight and transcultural sympathy, Massignon, an Islamicist and scholar of religion, penetrates Islamic mysticism in a way that was previously unknown. Massignon traveled throughout the Middle East and western India to gather and authenticate al-Hallaj's surviving writings and the recorded facts. After assembling the extant verses and prose works of al-Hallaj and the accounts of his life and death, Massignon published La Passion d'al-Hallaj in 1922. At his death in 1962, he left behind a greatly expanded version, published as the second French edition (1975). It is edited and translated here from the French and the Arabic sources by Massignon's friend and pupil, Herbert Mason. Volume 1 gives an account of al-Hallaj's life and describes the wo rld in which he lives; volume 2 traces his influence in Islam over the centuries; volume 3 studies Hallajian thought; volume 4 contains a full biography and index. Each volume contains Massignon's copious notes and new translations of original Islamic documents. Herbert Mason is University Professor of Religion and Islamic History at Boston University. He is also apoet and novelist; his version of the Gigamesh epic was a nominee for the National Book Award in 1971. Bollingen Sreis XCVIII. Originally published in 1986. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

Download or read book Mansur Hallaj written by Paul Smith and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2014-05-24 with total page 110 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: MANSUR HALLAJ: LIFE & POEMSTranslation & Introduction Paul SmithThe Perfect Master, poet & martyr, Husayn Mansur al-Hallaj (died 919), was born in Shiraz and tortured and executed in Baghdad for declaring: “I am the Truth (Anal Haq).” Much has been written about his famous (and infamous) statement, but few of his powerful, often mysteries and always deeply conscious and spiritual poems in Arabic have been translated before from his Divan into English, and in the poetic form in which they were composed. The Introduction contains: The Life, Times and Poems of Mansur Hallaj, Sufis & Dervishes: Their Art & Use of Poetry, Selected Bibliography, his qit'as, ghazals, ruba'is, qasidas in the correct form and meaning. Pages 90.~Introduction to Sufi Poets Series~Life & Poems of the following Sufi poets, Translations & Introductions: Paul SmithAMIR KHUSRAU, ANSARI, ANVARI, AL-MA'ARRI, 'ATTAR, ABU SA'ID, AUHAD UD-DIN, BABA FARID, BABA AZFAL, BABA TAHIR, BEDIL, BULLEH SHAH, DARA SHIKOH, GHALIB, HAFIZ, IBN 'ARABI, IBN YAMIN, IBN AL-FARID, IQBAL, 'IRAQI, JAHAN KHATUN, JAMI, KAMAL AD-DIN, KABIR, KHAQANI, KHAYYAM, LALLA DED, MAKHFI, MANSUR HALLAJ, MU'IN UD-DIN CHISHTI, NAZIR AKBARABADI, NESIMI, NIZAMI, OBEYD ZAKANI, RAHMAN BABA, RUMI, SANA'I, SADI, SARMAD, SHABISTARI, SHAH LATIF, SHAH NI'MAT'ULLAH, SULTAN BAHU, YUNUS EMRE, EARLY ARABIC SUFI POETS, EARLY PERSIAN SUFI POETS, URDU SUFI POETS, TURKISH SUFI POETS, AFGHAN SUFI POETS 90 pages each. Paul Smith is a poet, author and translator of over 150 books of Sufi poets from the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages… including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre, Shah Latif, Bulleh Shah, Mahsati, Lalla Ded and many others, as well as poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and a dozen screenplays. www.newhumanitybooksbookheaven.

Download or read book MANSUR HALLAJ a Collection of His Poems and the Tawasin written by Mansur Hallaj and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2019-04-16 with total page 383 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: MANSUR HALLAJ A Collection of his Poems & The Tawasin (Large Print & Large Format Edition) Translation & Introduction Paul Smith The Perfect Master, poet & martyr Mansur Hallaj (died 919), was born near Shiraz and tortured and executed in Baghdad for declaring: "I am the Truth (Anal Haq)." Much has been written about his famous (and in¬famous) statement, but few of his powerful, often mysteries and always deeply conscious and spiritual poems in Arabic have been translated before from his Diwan into English, and in the poetic forms in which they were composed. Now, here they are! Included is his Tawasin. This is a free-form poetic translation that captures the beauty and meaning and the mystery and the profundity of this controversial classic of Sufism. The Introduction contains: The Life, Times and Works of Mansur Hallaj, The Perfect Master (Qutub), 'Anal-Haq' or 'I am the Truth' of Mansur Hallaj, Four Master Poets of Baghdad who influenced Hallaj, Sufis & Dervishes: Their Art & Use of Poetry. A large, revised selection of his qit'as, ghazals, ruba'is, qasidas, yatanas. Large Print 16pt, Large Format Paperback 8" x 10". Pages 383 Paul Smith (b. 1945) is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets from the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre, Shah Latif, Bulleh Shah, Mahsati, Lalla Ded, Rahman Baba and others and poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and a dozen screenplays. amazon.com/author/smithpa

Download or read book The Death of Al Hallaj written by Herbert Mason and published by . This book was released on 1979 with total page 112 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Although not widely known in the Western world, al-Hallaj is one of the great figures in the history of the Muslim religion. Martyred in 922 by the government for his teachings, Hallaj has lived on through the centuries in the legends and memories of Muslims the world over. In this dramatic narrative of the last days of al-Hallaj, Herbert Mason has distilled the essence of Hallaj in moving, beautifully drawn scenes.

Download or read book The Tawasin of Mansur Al Hallaj written by al-Ḥusayn ibn Manṣūr Ḥallāj and published by . This book was released on 1974 with total page 104 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Passion of Al Hallaj Mystic and Martyr of Islam Volume 4 written by Louis Massignon and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2019-08-06 with total page 313 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Volume 4 of 4. Encompassing the whole milieu of early Islamic civilization, this major work of Western orientalism explores the meaning of the life and teaching of the tenth-century mystic and martyr, al-Hallaj. With profound spiritual insight and transcultural sympathy, Massignon, an Islamicist and scholar of religion, penetrates Islamic mysticism in a way that was previously unknown. Massignon traveled throughout the Middle East and western India to gather and authenticate al-Hallaj's surviving writings and the recorded facts. After assembling the extant verses and prose works of al-Hallaj and the accounts of his life and death, Massignon published La Passion d'al-Hallaj in 1922. At his death in 1962, he left behind a greatly expanded version, published as the second French edition (1975). It is edited and translated here from the French and the Arabic sources by Massignon's friend and pupil, Herbert Mason. Volume 1 gives an account of al-Hallaj's life and describes the world in which he lives; volume 2 traces his influence in Islam over the centuries; volume 3 studies Hallajian thought; volume 4 contains a full biography and index. Each volume contains Massignon's copious notes and new translations of original Islamic documents. Herbert Mason is University Professor of Religion and Islamic History at Boston University. He is also a poet and novelist; his version of the Gigamesh epic was a nominee for the National Book Award in 1971. Bollingen Series XCVIII. Originally published in 1979. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

Download or read book Ana Al haqq Reconsidered written by Jīlānī Kāmrān and published by . This book was released on 1994 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Mansur Al Hallaj and Nesimi Two Great Sufi Martyr Poets written by Mansur al-Hallaj and published by . This book was released on 2017-12-05 with total page 554 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: MANSUR AL-HALLAJ & NESIMITWO GREAT SUFI-MARTYR POETSSelected PoemsTranslation & Introduction Paul SmithThe Perfect Master, poet & martyr, MANSUR AL-HALLAJ (died 919), was born in Shiraz and tortured and executed in Baghdad for declaring: "I am the Truth (Anal Haq)." Much has been written about his famous (and in�famous) statement, but few of his powerful, often mysteries and always deeply conscious and spiritual poems in Arabic have been translated into English, and in the poetic form in which they were composed. Now here they are! Included is The Tawasin. 'Written in rhymed Arabic prose... it sets forth a doctrine of saintship-a doctrine founded on personal experience and clothed in the form of a subtle yet passionate dialectic.' This is a free-form poetic translation that captures the beauty and meaning and the mystery and the profundity of this controversial classic of Sufism. The Introduction contains : The Life, Times and Works of Mansur al-Hallaj, The Perfect Master (Qutub), 'Anal-Haq' or 'I am the Truth' of Mansur Hallaj, etc. There is a wide selection of his qit'as, ghazals, ruba'is, qasidas. NESIMI (1369-1417) is considered one of the greatest Sufi poets and one of the most prominent early masters in Turkish literary history. Very little is known for certain about his life, including his real name. It is also possible that he was descended from the Prophet Mohammed since he has sometimes been accorded the title of seyyid that is reserved for people claimed to be in Muhammad's line of descent. From his poetry, it's evident that Nesimi was greatly influenced by MANSUR AL-HALLAJ and as a direct result of his beliefs that were considered blasphemous by contemporary religious authorities he was seized and according to most accounts... skinned alive in Aleppo. A number of legends later grew up around his execution, such as the story that he mocked his executioners with improvised verse and, after the execution, draped his flayed skin around his shoulders and departed. His tomb in Aleppo remains an important place of pilgrimage to this day. His work consists of two collections of poems, one in Persian and the other, Turkish. The Turkish Divan consists of 250-300 gazels and about 150 roba'is. After his death his work continued to exercise a great influence on many Turkish language poets and authors. Introduction on his Life & Times & Poetry and the Forms he wrote in. The correct rhyme & meaning are both here in these beautiful, powerful, often controversial poems. Large Format 7" x 10" Pages 554.Paul Smith (b.1945) is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets from the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages... including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre, Shah Latif, Bulleh Shah, Mahsati, Lalla Ded, Rahman Baba, Iqbal, Makhfi, Ghalib, Zafar Abu Nuwas, Rabi'a, Aatish, Dadu, Rahim, Vrind, Huma, Rudaki and many others, as well as poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and a dozen screenplays. www.newhumanitybook.com

Download or read book The Enlightened are Not Bound by Religion written by Kevser Yesiltash and published by Bookcity.Co. This book was released on 2017-08-26 with total page 360 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The mystical teachings of Ibn ‘Arabi, particularly influential in Anatolia, are rooted in a tens-of-thousands-of-years old knowledge attainment and transfer tradition, which is one of the fundamental cornerstones of Sufism. Through his unique method, Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi performed an unparalleled role in conveying the secrets of the Sufi mystical teachings across the generations. The secrets concealed in his teachings are not immediately revealed, and the knowledge they contain is hidden in such language that those who encounter it are often left in a state of shock and bewilderment. Those who strived to understand this language have been able to discover the real meaning hidden within, yet the majority, without making such an effort, took the meaning at face value and accused Ibn ‘Arabi of being anti-religious. The title of this book, ‘The Enlightened are Not Bound by Religion’, is one of Arabi’s notable sayings. To be able to understand just this saying requires knowledge of many subjects of the mystical teachings. Kevser Yesiltash explores the deep of mystical secrets of his saying in the book.

Download or read book The Qarmatians from Concept to State written by Mai Mohammed Al Khalifa and published by Bookbaby. This book was released on 2019-12-30 with total page 574 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In The Qarmatians From Concept to State, author Mai Mohammed Al Khalifa provides a fascinating reinvestigation of 7th-10th century Islamic and Middle East history in Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Bahrain. Up until recent times, Bahrainis referred to their madhab (religious school) and self-identified as 'Abu Sa'idis' in reference to Abu Sa'id al-Jannabi (d. 913 CE), founder of the independent Qarmatian state in Bahrain. Based on the principle of al-ulfahâ'brotherly love' and camaraderie, that polity, which persisted for a century-and-a-half (ca., 899-1078 CE), provided the world with a unique political and socio-economic model of Islam. Most frequently remembered for their bands of fast-roving horsemen committed to a Spartan, desert code and Abu Tahir al-Jannabi's (d. 944 CE) infamous seizure of the hajar al-aswad ('black stone') from the ka'bah in Mecca, the Qarmatians merit serious academic consideration for the fact that the viable states and forms of equitable human society evolved under Hamdan Qarmat in al-Kufah and Abu Sa'id al-Jannabi in Bahrain remain unique in the annals of history. Their mode of living presaged vital concerns of our era including: socialization of wealth and means of production; gender-equality; group-/ collective decision making (under the Islamic democratic principle of shura); and abolition of private property, in a system of social status and merit according to ethical conduct and service to community. Meticulously detailed research and a vivid history covering the rise of forms of state in Iraq, Yemen and Bahrain lay open to question common assumptions about 'Islam' and Islamic historiography. A uniquely Ba?raini perspective raises provocative possibilities that the political and socio-economic model of the Qarmatians might have been closer than anything under the Umayyads or 'Abbasids to the original Islam and initial dar al-hijrah ('house of emigration') of the first Muslim community established by the Prophet Muhammad in Medina (Yathrib), ca. 622-632 CE. At conceptual and philosophical levels, early Isma?ili-Qarma?ian doctrine and derivative projects of state are, arguably, the best expressions 'on the ground' of the principles of the Risa?il of the Ikhwan al-Safa' (The Treatises of the 'Brethren of Purity'), which summarized the known scientific, mathematical, philosophical and religious knowledge of the ancient world as collected, emended and translated under the Bayt al-Hikmah ('House of Wisdom'). At the level of credo, the Qarmatians may have drawn inspiration from the greatest Sufi of all time, al-Husayn bin Mansur al-Hallaj (d. 922 CE). In the integration of science, philosophy and religion with parameters for equitable and egalitarian human coexistence the Qarmatians merit renewed attention as the society they evolved may have indeed reflected the legal intents (maqasid al-shari'ah) of Islamic law in a highly progressive form, unprecedented up until today. This book makes meaningful contribution to the field in its depth of analysis and reliance on previously overlooked Bahraini sources. The author's dispassionate and unbiased approach cracks the façade of dubious historiographical suppositions and accretions and sheds new light in a highly politicized domain where politics and dynastic intrigue have frequently been confounded with Islam. Readers are poised to revisit, witness and ponder a new reading of the history of the Qarmatians and the formative period of Islam itself with an open mind.Author Mai Mohammed Al Khalifa, historian and founder of the Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa Center for Culture and Research, is the Chairperson of the Board of the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage and the Minister of Culture of Bahrain.Translated by Abdullah Richard Lux, professor of Arabic, former Director of Translation at the Centre for Arab Unity Studies (CAUS) in Beirut and previous Executive Editor of Contemporary Arab Affairs (Routledge, UK).

Download or read book Meditations on the Stations of Mansur Al Hallaj written by Pierre Joris and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Poetry. Middle Eastern Studies. Well-versed and well-read in Sufi mysticism, Joris appears throughout these captivating meditations as a nomadizing poet-scholar--a poeta doctus in the classical sense: whether it is the manners, or pockets of the desert, Baghdad bombings, or Hallaj's set of stations that caught his eye (a poeta vates?) and fired up the engine of his writing, Joris--poeta faber--also always guides us back to the material flux of language that constitutes these meditations.--Peter Cockelbergh