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Irshad: Wisdom of a Sufi Master (Ashki Book)

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" 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. '

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.

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.

This very big book is greater in spirit then number of words. An open of the heart, mind and spirit, this book has been with me over twenty years and the lessons in between its pages whistle through my head in daily life. A must read, Peace and Blessings