The Subtle Blessings in the Saintly Lives of Abul-Abbas al- Mursi: And His Master Abul-Hasan [Paperback]

Ibn Ata' Allah al-Iskandari (Author), Nancy Roberts (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 2005

This deeply personal reminiscence of one man's growth in Islamic mysticism is a tribute to the two great shaykhs who molded his spiritual life and vision. Filled with anecdotes illustrating the shaykhs' spiritual gifts and insights, the text not only conveys the beauty and inspiration of these men's lives and their utter devotion to God, but also helps readers to approach a life of devotion and inimitable blessings. Sufi interpretations of Qur'an passages and traditional Sufi spiritual litanies are included. An appendix features an account of female gnostic Hajja Zakia's life and devotion to Shaykh Abul Hasan and is augmented by a photographic essay.

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About the Author

Ibn 'Ata' Allah al-Iskandari was both a Muhaddith and a Maliki jurist in the 13th century whose works became basic training manuals for aspirants across North Africa. A student of al-Mursi, he was the second to succeed Imam Abul-Hasan, the founder of the Shadhili Order, which continues to this day. Nancy Roberts has spent 10 years translating materials in the areas of ancient and modern Arabic literature, health care, law, current events, Islamic law, and history.

Product Details

• Paperback: 458 pages
• Publisher: Fons Vitae (September 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887752617
• ISBN-13: 978-1887752619
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #638,795 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting reading, December 12, 2007

By 

Farseem Mohammedy (Hamilton, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Subtle Blessings in the Saintly Lives of Abul-Abbas al- Mursi: And His Master Abul-Hasan (Paperback)

A highly readable book by a well-known Shadhili order. It is written based on anecdotes of two sufi masters preceeding Ibn Ata'Allah. A fluent narrative with a lot of small wisdoms that should be guiding principles for the religious as well as mystic and those are applicable even today. Also the book throughs light on the social context of those days. Kudos to the translator as well.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uplifting, December 7, 2007

By 

Munir "ahmad" (Cerritos, California USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Subtle Blessings in the Saintly Lives of Abul-Abbas al- Mursi: And His Master Abul-Hasan (Paperback)

This book is one of the most important source texts on the Shadhili order, a hagiography of the two first shaykhs of the order (authored by the third). The text is more a treatise on the spiritual insights and wisdoms of these two figures than conventional biographical accounts. Imam Ataillah's style is always attractive- intelligent, occasionally humorous, and thoroughly permeated with his deep spirituality and experience of the divine The text also offers very lucid interpretations of some aphorisms from his more famous Hikam. The poems in this book are also lovely, particularly the concluding one. A worthy representative of the rich spiritual life of Islam, and its practical worth, in producing individuals such as these two shaykhs.