Overview
In contrast to most introductory texts on Sufism, this work begins not with the historical past, but with the contemporary present. Beginning with Sufism as it is lived today, each chapter further unveils the complexities of Sufism, journeying through a variety of historical, political, and cultural contexts, moving deeper into the past, and closer to the origin and heart of Sufism. This geneological framework will enable the reader to understand the patterns of connection between contemporary manifestations of Sufism and past realities. To ensure that the full range of Sufism's varied expressions is taken into account, each chapter is divided into four sections: Politics and Power, Philosophy and Metaphysics, Arts and Culture, and Overview of Historical Developments. Dividing chapters into these four broad categories enables the book to highlight some of the ways in which Sufism has influenced Muslim politics, philosophy, art, and culture in each historical period. In each category the relevant issues are illustrated through detailed case studies, whether of a particular Sufi figure, place, artistic expression, or philosophical view. This allows the reader to develop a genuinely three-dimensional appreciation of Sufism, neither reducing it to a private mystical experience divorced from social expression, nor limiting the tradition to historical names and dates.
Full Product Details
Author: William Rory Dickson ,
Meena Sharify-Funk
Publisher: Equinox Publishing Ltd
Imprint: Equinox Publishing Ltd
Weight: 0.412kg
ISBN: 9781781792445
ISBN 10: 1781792445
Pages: 310
Publication Date: 10 August 2017
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
Overall, this volume is strongly recommended for researchers and academicians engaged in [the] field of Sufi studies. --Mohammad Irfan Shah, Reading Religion, March 8, 2018
This work is an introductory yet extensive text on Sufism intended to be used in the classroom. With an interdisciplinary approach, the authors aim to provide a rich contextualized understanding of Sufism. Strongly recommended for researchers and academicians engaged in field of Sufi studies. Reading Religion An interesting read that due to its unique arrangement of topics and selection of content has something to offer to every reader, regardless of their background or prior knowledge on the subject. ...we should thank Dickson and Sharify-Funk for their unique and at a times very attractive contribution. Religion and Theology
Author Information
William Rory Dickson is an Assistant Professor for the Religion and Culture Department at the University of Winnipeg. Meena Sharify-Funk is an Associate Professor for the Religion and Culture Department at Wilfrid Laurier University.
