Irshad: Wisdom of a Sufi Master (Ashki Book) [Hardcover]

Muzaffer Ozak (Author)

Book Description

Series: Ashki Book | Publication Date: June 1992

The Irshad is regarded by many as the most important work in Islamic spirituality for our time and a testament to the fact that Sufism is a living tradition. The work charts the Sufi spiritual path and discipline through discourse and dialogue, story and prayer, scriptural commentary and spontaneous mystical teachings in worship and action. The Irshad addresses not only Sufis, but those who are attracted to the spiritual life and the truths which constitute ultimately the very fiber and substance of the human soul.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sheikh Muzzafer Ozak, who passed from the world in 1985, was born in Istanbul in 1916 into a Sufi family. He was educated by a succession of wise and learned teachers who instructed him in both traditional Islam and Sufism. He became Imam at a number of mosques, then left to run his bookshop in the famous Istanbul book market, which specialized in rare and antique books. He also became a prolific author in the Turkish language. For twenty years he was Sheikh (or spiritual teacher) of the Sufi order known as the Halveti Jerrahis. Extensive travels took him, not only throughout the Middle East but also to the Balkan countries, Western Europe and the United States where he founded a number of branches of the Halveti Jerrahi Order.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 725 pages
• Publisher: Pir Pubns (June 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879708000
• ISBN-13: 978-1879708006
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #859,229 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars conveys the essential message of Sufism and its wisdom, May 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Irshad: Wisdom of a Sufi Master (Ashki Book) (Hardcover)

" admirable translation sharp English style comes across to modern people while preserving the dignity of the original a telling presentation of the central elements of Islamic faith a relevant commentary on the events of our own time should be on the recommended reading list of all English Muslims. " -Association of British Muslims

" conveys the essential message of Sufism and its wisdom for human behavior Muhtar Holland, one of the best translators into English. has made this especially readable " - Link International Islamic Newsletter Regarded by many as the most important work in Islamic spirituality of our time, the lrshad appears for the first time in English translation. The work charts the Sufi spiritual path and discipline through discourse and dialogue, story and prayer, scriptural commentary and spontaneous mystical teachings in worship and action The spirit of the work is reflected in the words of the author:

O my Generous Master' You created this servant of Yours and brought him into being from a drop of water I do not even have the right to say I love You, and yet I do love You. I always remember You I know that even my being able to remember.

You is also due to Your guidance. My mentioning Your Name of Majesty left me drunk, bewildered, and amazed. Is it possible to imagine anyone in this world loving the Divinity and not becoming intoxicated with such affection ? So great a blessing is affection that even if its possessor should stray into the wilderness, the fire of his love would not allow him to feel the heat of the desert. Should the lover fall into the fire, the heat of his love would extinguish that fire. The fire of love would cause the poles and glaciers to melt. If mountains and boulders were piled upon the back of the lover, the fire of his love would prevent his feeling the weight of the load. Affection makes a person forget about hunger and thirst, and keeps him on the road of love. '

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive book on Sufism and Islam, February 15, 2008

By 

Gogol (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Irshad: Wisdom of a Sufi Master (Ashki Book) (Hardcover)

Irshad is the condensed version of a 3 volume Turkish book written by the late Sheikh Muzaffer Ozak, grand Sheikh of the Jerrahi Halveti (khalwati) order. The book covers a large array of topics related to Islam in general and Sufism in particular.

Like all Sufi text books there is a large use of story in order to convey a message and to an extent, the book does relay on the reader having more than a limited knowledge of both Islam as a religion and Islamic history (The book was written for specifically a Turkish audience) You may also find some aspects of the book relating more to the sensitivities of its target Turkish audience rather than the general Muslim or wider world.

The book however, is a mine of information regarding the teachings of Islam, Islamic history, Sufism, Sufi orders and Sufi practice. The book gives practical solutions to problems of Islamic history (Such as the Shia - Sunni schism) issues related to family, lifestyle, community and belonging. The book is large and comprehensive and is probably more designed for the reader to look through encyclopedic rather than reading from cover to cover.

This book has probably been largely overlooked over the years since it was published which is a pity as it is well translated and provides an interesting insight into the teachings of Sufism and Islam.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book available for your knowledge, April 3, 2005

By 

Osman "Osman" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Irshad: Wisdom of a Sufi Master (Ashki Book) (Hardcover)

This is the best book that has probably ever written that not only illuminates your heart but shows you the right path of Islam and Love really is not the worldly love but the Love of the Beloved.