REQUIRED READING:
BOOKS
1. Annemarie Schimmel, Mystical Dimensions of Islam (University of North Carolina Press);
2. William Chittick, Sufism: A Short Introduction (Oneworld Publications)
3. M. Watt, The Faith and Practice of al-Ghazali (Oneworld Publications).
4. Leslie Cadavid, tr., Two Who Attained: Twentieth-Century Sufi Saints: Shaykh Ahmad al-‘Alawi and Fatima al-Yashrutiyya [Fons Vitae].
5. Ibn Ata Allah al-Iskandari, The Key To Salvation (Islamic Texts Society);
6. M. Fethullah Gulen, Key Concepts in the Practice of Sufism: Emerald Hills of the Heart [www.thelightpublishing.com].
ARTICLES:
1) Emelie Olson, “The Use of Religious Symbol Systems and Rituals in Turkey: Women’s Activities at Saints’ Shrines.” The Muslim World, volume 84(July-October 1984): 202-216.
2) Frances Trix, “’When Christians Became Dervishes: Affirming Albanian Muslim and Christian Unity through Dialogue’.” The Muslim World, volume 85(3-4) July-October 1995: 280-294.
3) “Sufism, Creativity and Exile: An Interview with Seyyed Hossein Nasr.” Jusoor, 7/8, 1996, pp. 131-158.
COURSE OUTLINE
1) First Week: Introduction: Development of Early Islamic Mysticism
2) Second Week: Development of Early Islamic Mysticism
Reading: Schimmel, Mystical Dimensions of Islam, pp. 3-97.
3) Third Week: Foundations and Key Terms in Sufism
Reading: Schimmel, Mystical Dimensions of Islam, pp. 98-227
4) Fourth Week: Essence of Mysticism
Reading: Ibn Ata Allah al-Iskandari, The Key To Salvation.
5) Fifth Week: Those Who Attained
Reading: Leslie Cadavid, tr., Two Who Attained: Twentieth-Century Sufi Saints: Shaykh Ahmad al-‘Alawi and Fatima al-Yashrutiyya; pp. 1-105.
6) Sixth Week: Those Who Attained
Reading: Leslie Cadavid, tr., Two Who Attained: Twentieth-Century Sufi Saints: Shaykh Ahmad al-‘Alawi and Fatima al-Yashrutiyya; pp. 106 to the end of the book.
7) Seventh Week: Those Who Attained
Reading: Preceding reading: Leslie Cadavid, tr., Two Who Attained: Twentieth-Century Sufi Saints: Shaykh Ahmad al-‘Alawi and Fatima al-Yashrutiyya.
8) Eighth Week: Ghazali and Sufism
Reading: Watt, The Faith and Practice of al-Ghazali
9) Ninth Week: Ghazali and Sufism
Reading: Watt, The Faith and Practice of al-Ghazali
10) Tenth Week: Contemporary Spirituality
Reading: 1) Emelie Olson, “The Use of Religious Symbol Systems and Rituals in Turkey: Women’s Activities at Saints’ Shrines.” The Muslim World, volume 84(July-October 1984): 202-216; 2) Frances Trix, “’When Christians Became Dervishes: Affirming Albanian Muslim and Christian Unity through Dialogue’.” The Muslim World, volume 85(3-4) July-October 1995: 280-294; and 3)) “Sufism, Creativity and Exile: An Interview with Seyyed Hossein Nasr.” Jusoor, 7/8, 1996, pp. 131-158.
11) Twelfth Week: Sufism in India and Pakistan
Reading: Schimmel, Mystical Dimensions of Islam; pp. 344-402.
12) FINAL SESSION
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. One book review. Your book review
1. William Chittick, Sufism: A Short Introduction (Oneworld Publications);
2. M. Fethullah Gulen, Key Concepts in the Practice of Sufism: Emerald Hills of the Heart [www.thelightpublishing.com].
