Customer Reviews

The Book of Illumination Including The Sign of Success on the Spiritual Path: Kitab al-Tanwir fi Isqat al-Tadbir

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In many ways, the deep and meaningful teachings of Tasawwuf [Sufi'ism] have become watered down to a cardboard, meaningless "New Age" spiritual practice. For many valid reasons Sufi'ism has appealed to many non-Muslims because of its universalities and its ability to speak to "all travelers on the Path". One significant issue that I've often had truck with over many of the writers/translators of Sufi works is that they ignored that fact that many of the Sufi masters were deeply religious people, who had mastered the basics of the religion [mandatory daily prayer, fasting, yearly alms-giving, pilgrimage and so forth] and having gone beyond that also mastered such sciences as jurisprudence [fiqh], Arabic grammar, rhetoric, rhetorical language [balaaghah] and so forth. But as the author points out in the introduction, something key happened with many of these Sufi masters - the obligatory wasn't enough. They needed something that would also soothe and treat the heart. They created a synthesis that was founded in religious fundamentals [not to be conflated with fundamentalism] and sought to formulate a system that would deal with issues of the self [shahawaat or nafs]. Ibn 'Ata' Allah al-Iskandari was a great Sufi personality. As you will read in this volume, he is a man that went through great personal, spiritual and religious transformation in the pursuit of self-rectification. I highly recommend this read as it is highly accessible; an academic piece that allows for the inclusion of a broader audience. In my opinion, this would be in keeping with the teachings of Ibn 'Ata' Allah himself [and Tasawwuf in general]. You'll enjoy this read.

This is a book full of insight that goes into depth about Muslim attitudes on selfish calculation and how to leave them. The translation is also well done.

This book was authored by an egyptian sufi master in the Shadhili order. It has not many diverse topics that was covered, but those that are indeed covered, are full with intuitive illumination assisted by useful and interesting stories/parables. A person who like reading easy sufi stuff that enlightens ones heart, may like this book. Its also helpful for others to get oneself educated in how to improve ones self over self's carnal desires.