What is Sufism? (Islamic Texts Society) [Paperback]

Martin Lings (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1999 | Series: Islamic Texts Society

Martin Lings provides an excellent and authoritative introduction to the mystical movement of the Sufis based on his lifelong interest in Islamic culture. His explanation derives from a profound understanding of Sufism, and extends to many aspects which are usually neglected. His illuminating answer to 'What is Sufism?' gives a taste of the very subject matter itself. What do Sufis believe? What do they aim at? What do they do? Unlike other writers on the subject, Martin Lings treats all the three questions with equal justice. He is thus able to give a wealth of answers to the main question 'What is Sufism?', each answer being from a different angle but all going to the root of the matter. A reviewer wrote 'Should the book appear in paperback, I would use it for undergraduate and graduate courses on Islamic civilization', and in fact What is Sufism? has become a set book in colleges and universities on both sides of the Atlantic. It is now accepted as the authoritative statement on the subject of Sufism and it has been translated into French, German, Italian and Spanish. It has also been published in Sarajevo in Bosnian, and is available in Braille.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An invaluable contribution to the study of the subject and may well become a standard textbook . . . Highly recommended." -- Choice

"The mood of Sufism is conveyed ... with a clarity that is rare, even unique ... done in a responsible, non-proselytizing manner." -- Review of Books and Religion

'The discussion of Sufi aims, psychology, doctrine and method is original (many previously untranslated texts are cited), sensitive and readable. The mood of Sufism is conveyed here with a clarity that is rare, even unique, yet it is done in a responsible, non-proselytizing manner.' -- Review of Books and Religion

About the Author

Martin Lings, formerly Keeper of Oriental Manuscripts in the British Museum and the British Library, is the author of two works on Islamic mysticism, 'The Book of Certainty' and 'A Sufi Saint of the Twentieth Century', both published by the Islamic Texts Society. His 'Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources', also published by the Islamic Texts Society, has been internationally acclaimed as a masterpiece.

Product Details

• Paperback: 134 pages
• Publisher: Islamic Texts Society; 2nd edition (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0946621411
• ISBN-13: 978-0946621415
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #438,192 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to the inner aspects of Islam, August 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: What is Sufism? (Islamic Texts Society) (Paperback)

This is a very well researched and written introduction to the Islamic science of tassawuf--which is the Arabic word usualy translated as sufism.

As Dr. Lings shows--and he later converted to Islam as Dr. Abu Bakr Siraj ud Deen--Sufism is an integral part of Islam; a part which has always been accepted as the heart of Islam. As a famous Sufi [Islamic saint who has reached the highest spiritual station] once said, "Shariat is the body and tariqat [another name for Sufism] is the soul".

This book looks at the origins of Sufism, its historical development, its branching into various brotherhoods, its importance in Islamic history as well as the various aspects of sufi methodology and worship. Most importantly, this book puts Sufism where it belongs: at the heart of Islam and it shows that Sufism is not, as some have argued, extraneous to the Islamic belief. In other words, though it has some similarities with other mystical aspects of other religions, it is totally a product of Islam and it's orthodox teachings. There is no such thing as a non-Muslim Sufi.

This book is thus a superb introduction to the inner-mystical--aspects of Islamic worship and the best one i've seen so far in English for the beginner. Highly recommended.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction for intellectuals, February 18, 2005

By 

J. LAPINE - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What is Sufism? (Islamic Texts Society) (Paperback)

I found this to be the best book that I have read so far that introduces the theoretical and practical concepts of Sufism. The author makes Sufism intellectualy appealing. I especialy like how Mr.Lings discusses the concept of 'wahid al wujud' or 'unity of existence.' That is very important to know when understand the 'world view' of Sufism.I believe books like these can help introduce Islam western educated audiences unlike the many books that talk about Islam as if it was a bunch of laws and nothing more.
The Reviewer's comments below were totaly misleading and show complete ignorance of Islam. There are authentic hadiths that make references to the higher states for example. Sufism is a very islamic concept that was recognized by al 4 of the great imams(3 of which me mentioned) Shafi, Malik, Ahmad, Hanafi. Sufism was also recognized as valid by ibn Tamiyaa himself. ibn Tamiyaa was a shayk in the Qadiri tariqat. Shayk Ghazzali was not credited with being the "founder of Sufism." He however standardized and made it popular with his tremendous influence. There is absoutely no proof that he changed any of his ideas. At the end of his life he moved to Palestine and totaly put aside public life.He made no writings or speechs at all then. There are many mystical stories from the region today about his last years there. Also Islam DOES recognize sainthood. Even ibn Tamiyaa recognized it. ibn Tamiyaa was a contraversial scholar and labelled heretical by mainstream sunni islam. This critic's views reflect that of the Wahabi fundementalists who dumb down religion and show extreme intolerence to others.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly beneficial, July 25, 2005

By 

T. Schade (Rocklin, Ca United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: What is Sufism? (Islamic Texts Society) (Paperback)

Having read several introductory books on Sufism, this is one of the better ones (Arberry's is also good, despite its age). It is a book which actually tries to convey the heart in Sufism. As for the other reviewer from Egypt "Do not be fooled" -- someone who despises Sufism should not be allowed to review books on Sufism. In fact, I would be surprised if that reviewer even read the book so much as writing negative reviews on every Sufi book, spreading his fundamentalist beliefs around -- but we can laugh at such things, for would not a Sufi also take it ligh heartedly?

I would not recommend this book over, say Arberry, Schimmel, or Idries Shah -- but I would recommend it over books by Ernst, Harvey, or Sedgewick.