Customer Reviews

Sufism, Mystics, and Saints in Modern Egypt (Studies in Comparative Religion)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I studied under Valerie Hoffman at the University of Illinois and purchased this book years later to revisit some of what was taught in class and broaden my understanding of sufism in particular and the mystical tradition in general within Egypt.

Mrs. Hoffman clearly illustrates throughout the book her mastery of the subject. Having lived in Egypt for years with her family and with her "informants" and being privy to the actual practices of various sufi orders and Coptic mystics in Egypt, Mrs. Hoffman is without a doubt one of the only experts in the field in this regard.

Another item of note, is Mrs. Hoffman's expose of the role of women in sufism and how they practice their faith in the Egyptian orders.

I highly recommend this read for anyone who wants a clearer understanding of popular Islam, sufi Islam, the role of women in Islam, and a comparative understanding of Sufism and Coptic Christianity in Egypt.