Download or read book Islamic Mystical Poetry written by Mahmood Jamal and published by Penguin UK. This book was released on 2009-10-29 with total page 425 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Written from the ninth to the twentieth century, these poems represent the peak of Islamic Mystical writing, from Rabia Basri to Mian Mohammad Baksh. Reflecting both private devotional love and the attempt to attain union with God and become absorbed into the Divine, many poems in this edition are imbued with the symbols and metaphors that develop many of the central ideas of Sufism: the Lover, the Beloved, the Wine, and the Tavern; while others are more personal and echo the poet's battle to leave earthly love behind. These translations capture the passion of the original poetry and are accompanied by an introduction on Sufism and the common themes apparent in the works. This edition also includes suggested further reading.

Download or read book Attar Selected Poems written by and published by New Humanity Books. This book was released on with total page 241 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

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 268 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 Faces of Love Hafez and the Poets of Shiraz written by Mohammad Hafez-e Shirazi and published by Mage Publishers. This book was released on 2023-05-09 with total page 584 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Ibn Arab s Mystical Poetics written by Denis E. McAuley and published by Oxford University Press (UK). This book was released on 2012-08-23 with total page 268 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The first full-length monograph devoted to the Dīwān (collected poems) of Muhyī I-Dīn Ibn `Arabī (1165-1240), a hugely influential figure in the development of Sufism.

Download or read book Umar Ibn Al F ri written by ʻUmar ibn ʻAlī Ibn al-Fāriḍ and published by Paulist Press. This book was released on 2001 with total page 388 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Umar Ibn al-Farid is the most venerated mystical poet in Arabic. An accomplished Sufi as well as a respected poet, his poetry blends the two traditions - classical Arabic poetry and Islamic mysticism - in a body of work with a distinctly devotional and mystical character. Th. Emil Homerin makes available here two of Ibn al-Farid's poems that have long been considered classics of Islamic mystical literature. The Wine Ode, a poem in praise of wine as well as a love poem, can also be seen as an extended meditation on the presence of divine love in the universe. The Poem of the Sufi Way, one of the longest poems ever composed in Arabic, and the most famous one rhyming in "T," begins as a love poem and then explores a number of crucial concerns confronting the seeker on the Sufi path. Both works have been treated for centuries in numerous mystical commentaries. Noteworthy as well in this volume is the addition of the Adorned Proem, a reverential account of Ibn al-Farid's life by his grandson. Individuals interested in the fields of mysticism and spirituality, as well as lovers of poetry, particularly love poetry, will find this to be fascinating reading. It will have great relevance for scholars and students of Arabic literature, Islam and mysticism."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Download or read book Sufism written by Nile Green and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2012-02-20 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since their beginnings in the ninth century, the shrines, brotherhoods and doctrines of the Sufis held vast influence in almost every corner of the Muslim world. Offering the first truly global account of the history of Sufism, this illuminating book traces the gradual spread and influence of Sufi Islam through the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and ultimately into Europe and the United States. An ideal introduction to Sufism, requiring no background knowledge of Islamic history or thought Offers the first history of Sufism as a global phenomenon, exploring its movement and adaptation from the Middle East, through Asia and Africa, to Europe and the United States of America Covers the entire historical period of Sufism, from its ninth century origins to the end of the twentieth century Devotes equal coverage to the political, cultural, and social dimensions of Sufism as it does to its theology and ritual Dismantles the stereotypes of Sufis as otherworldly 'mystics', by anchoring Sufi Muslims in the real lives of their communities Features the most up-to-date research on Sufism available

Download or read book The Boundaries of Afghans Political Imagination written by Jolanta Sierakowska-Dyndo and published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing. This book was released on 2014-08-11 with total page 215 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this book, The Boundaries of Afghans’ Political Imagination, the author seeks an answer to the question of how tradition, specifically its normative-axiological aspects, shapes the political attitudes and actions of the Afghans. The author points to two different concepts of social order which are moulded by the Pashtunwali: on the one hand, a tribal code which is part of Pashto language tradition; and on the other hand, by Sufism, the religious and philosophical current in Islam expressed mainly in the Dari (Persian) language. The two systems offer a different hierarchy of values, and organize social reality by referring to two different models of order: the circle and the pyramid. While making an in-depth analysis of the topic, the author asserts that the social organization of the Pashtuns is based on the principle of representation and consensus. Tribalism is shaped in the structure of a circle, in which a group is the fundamental category. Where tribal structure no longer performs its regulatory and organizational functions, the pattern of social order is offered by the Sufi Brotherhoods, which had long been very popular and powerful in this part of Asia. The hierarchical organization of Sufism, based on a disciple-master relationship and the principle of authoritarianism, gradually established the structure of the pyramid as a model of social order, and also of political order. Religious Sufi Brotherhoods became the most accessible leadership pattern, besides the tribal one, to be fixed in the Afghans’ social imagination. This analysis from the perspective of sociocultural and political anthropology will be indispensable for those interested in Afghan and Islamic societies.

Download or read book Mala of the Heart written by Ravi Nathwani and published by New World Library. This book was released on 2015-07-20 with total page 148 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This collection of timeless poetry celebrates the eternal spiritual truth within each heart. Since ancient times, this hidden essence has been symbolized by the number 108. There are 108 earthly desires, 108 human feelings, 108 delusions, 108 beads in the traditional meditation mala, and 108 sacred poems in this anthology. Filled with crystalline wisdom from the great poets, sages, saints, and mystics, this selection of poems is a collective expression of universal heart-filled wisdom. The poems span a wide range of cultures and civilizations — from India to Europe, Japan, and the Middle East — and each one offers a unique perspective about the path to awakening. Some of the poems express belief in a higher being. Some convey instantaneous awakening. Others lead the reader down a disciplined path of contemplation. Ordered according to a broad interpretation of the heart-centered chakra model, these remarkable poems guide the reader toward realization and offer timeless jewels of insight to spark awakening and enrich spiritual practice.

Download or read book Selected Poems of Rumi written by Jalalu’l-Din Rumi and published by Courier Corporation. This book was released on 2012-04-03 with total page 112 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over 100 of Rumi's most passionate lyrics include "The Children of Light," "The Man Who Looked Back on His Way to Hell," "The Pear-Tree of Illusion." Translated by R. A. Nicholson.

Download or read book Word Posse written by Rashid Osmani and published by Createspace Independent Pub. This book was released on 2012-10-01 with total page 150 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The curious ironies of retirement. The unspoken pains of false love. The bad side of doing good. In his illuminating collection of short, yet deeply reflective poems, Rashid Osmani makes magnificent use of the Sufi tradition of verse to cast shimmering new light on modern-day emotions with poems of rich insight and powerful resonance that belie the brevity of their words. Word Posse: Sufi-Style Short Poems to Amuse & Entertain is the poet's snapshot of thoughts and feelings about issues most of us face in a modern, connected world. Thought-provoking and frequently light-hearted, this deeply personal, refreshingly original collection explores common life experiences, from romantic disillusionment to political perplexity. Many of the poems are anchored in Sufism, an eclectic interpretation of Islam with emphasis on humanity and tolerance. Osmani, an engineer by profession, was drawn to writing poetry after a near-death experience. His short poems are particularly suitable for today's world of abbreviated attention spans. In this collection, forty of his works are organized into six categories: Light-Hearted; Love - Real and Fake; Human Nature; Political; Heart and Soul; and Philosophical. In the first poem, "Word Posse," from which the collection draws its title, the speaker describes how words are organized similar to a posse, in order to track down elusive thoughts and imprison them in poems. The poem "4th Quarter" takes a more somber tone, as it was inspired by a nursing home visit. "Petrified Pet" is in a lighter vein, as the speaker views his own body as a pet. Explanatory notes are provided for each of the poems as well as enlightening comments posted by other poets. Written in a unique freestyle form, with little emphasis on rhyming, the poems encourage readers to think a little more deeply about the chosen subjects. Anyone searching for greater meaning in their lives will find much to ponder in these soul-stirring works.

Download or read book From Shamanism to Sufism written by Razia Sultanova and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2011-01-30 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Women have traditionally played a vital part in Islam throughout Central Asia - the vast area from the Caspian Sea to Siberia. With this ground-breaking and original study, Razia Sultanova examines the experiences of Muslim women in the region and the ways in which religion has shaped their daily lives and continues to do so today. 'From Shamanism to Sufism' explores the fundamental interplay between religious belief and the cultural heritage of music and dance and is the first book to focus particularly on the role of women. Based on evidence derived from over fifteen years of field work, 'From Shamanism to Sufism' shows how women kept alive traditional Islamic religious culture in Central Asia, especially through Shamanism and Sufism, even under Soviet rule when all religion was banned. Nowhere was the role of women more important than in the Ferghana Valley in Uzbekistan, the cradle of female Islamic culture and a centre for women's poetry and music. This area is home to the 'Otin-Oy', a sisterhood of religiously educated women and members of Sufi orders, who take a leading part in rituals, marking the pivotal moments in the Islamic calendar and maintaining religious practices through music and ritual dances. Sultanova shows how the practice of Islam in Uzbekistan has evolved over time: long underground, there was a religious resurgence at independence in 1991, boosting national Uzbek identity and nationalism - 500 new mosques were built - only to be followed by a return to persecution by a repressive state under the banner of the 'war against terror'. Now events have come full circle, and once again covert worship by women remains crucial to the survival of traditional Muslim culture. Ritual and music are at the heart of Central Asian and Islamic culture, not only at weddings and funerals but in all aspects of everyday life. Through her in-depth analysis of these facets of cultural life within Central Asian society, 'From Shamanism to Sufism' offers important insights into the lives of the societies in the region. The role of women has often been neglected in studies of religious culture and this book fills an enormous gap, restoring women to their rightful historical and cultural context. It will be essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in the History or Religion of Central Asia or in Global Islam.

Download or read book In the Bazaar of Love written by Paul E Losensky and published by Penguin UK. This book was released on 2013-07-15 with total page 141 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Amir Khusrau, one of the greatest poets of medieval India, helped forge a distinctive synthesis of Muslim and Hindu cultures. Written in Persian and Hindavi, his poems and ghazals were appreciated across a cosmopolitan Persianate world that stretched from Turkey to Bengal. Having thrived for centuries, Khusrau’s poetry continues to be read and recited to this day. In the Bazaar of Love is the first comprehensive selection of Khusrau’s work, offering new translations of mystical and romantic poems and fresh renditions of old favourites. Covering a wide range of genres and forms, it evokes the magic of one of the best-loved poets of the Indian subcontinent.

Download or read book Mannerism in Arabic Poetry written by Stefan Sperl and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1989-06 with total page 242 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book attempts to identify elements of mannerism and classicism in medieval Arabic poetry. Instead of focusing on rhetorical devices, as is conventional in such studies, the author carries out a structuralist analysis of complete poems.

Download or read book Sufis written by Idries Shah and published by eBook Partnership. This book was released on 2020-06-20 with total page 540 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Sufis is the best introduction ever written to the philosophical and mystical school traditionally associated with the Islamic world.Powerful, concise, and intensely thought-provoking, it sums up over a thousand years of Eastern thought - the product of some of the greatest minds humanity has ever produced - into a single work, presenting timeless ideas in a fresh and contemporary style.When the book was originally published in 1964, it launched its author, Idries Shah, on to the international stage, attracting the attention of thinkers and writers such as J. D. Salinger, Doris Lessing, Ted Hughes and Robert Graves.It introduced to the Western world concepts which have subsequently become commonly accepted, varying from the psychological importance of attention and humour, to the use of traditional tales as teaching instruments (what Shah termed 'teaching-stories'), and the historical debt owed by the West to the Middle East in matters scientific, literary and philosophical.As a primer for the many dozens of Sufi books that Shah later produced, it is unsurpassed, offering a clear window onto a community whose system of thought and action has long concerned itself with the advancement of the whole of humankind, and whose ideas about individuals and society, their purpose and direction, need to be understood now more than ever before.

Download or read book Freedom from Yourself written by Alexander King and published by Balboa Press. This book was released on 2014-06-11 with total page 77 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Freedom from Yourself: Selected Poems from Divan Shams Tabrizi is a guide written to help set us free from our ignorance and the prison of our minds which keeps us occupied in misery, fear, and guilt. Rumis teaching is based on the foundations of Sufifism which is divine love, worship, simplicity and moderation, goodness, consciousness of God, humbleness, and tolerance. The most celebrated relationship in Rumis spiritual development was with Shams Tabrizi, whom he met in Konya. Through their spiritual teamwork, they enlightened many people and also influenced all the centuries which followed. This guide was written to help people reach their ultimate goal of attaining Nirvanaa state of mind when all our desires subside and we live in total harmony, peace, serenity and total stillness of the mind. it represents the final goal of Buddhism. Freedom from Yourself enables everyone to go deeper into the meaning of Shams Tabrizis poems and to apply them directly to the everyday problems we can encounter.

Download or read book Chronicles of Majnun Layla and Selected Poems written by Qassim Haddad and published by Syracuse University Press. This book was released on 2014-09-24 with total page 157 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Chronicles of Majnun Layla and Selected Poems brings together in one volume Haddad’s seminal work and a considerable selection of poems from his oeuvre, stretching over forty years. The central poem, Chronicles of Majnun Layla, recasts the seventh-century myth into a contemporary, postmodern narrative that revels in the foibles of oral transmission, weaving a small side cast of characters into the fabric of the poem. Haddad portrays Layla as a daring woman aware of her own needs and desires and not afraid to articulate them. The author succeeds in reviving this classical work of Arabian love while liberating it from its puritanical dimension and tribal overtones. The selected poems reveal Haddad’s playful yet profound meditations. A powerful lyric poet, Haddad juxtaposes classical and modern symbols, and mixes the old with the new, the sensual with the sacred, and the common with the extraordinary. Ghazoul and Verlenden’s masterful translation remains faithful to the cultural and historical context in which the original poetry was produced while also reflecting the uniqueness of the poet’s style and his poetics.