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Academic Programs
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Islamic
Mysticism and Muslim Devotional Life and Practice
(IS-638-4)
Summer 2003 |
| Sufism,
which refers to the mystical tradition within Islam, is
concerned with the inner or esoteric understanding and
practice of Islam. This course will examine Sufi
interpretations of the Qur'an and the life of the Prophet
Muhammad, and follow the development of Sufi spiritual
practice and religious/philosophical thought with attention
given to selected Sufi writers. The revival of Sufism in
contemporary Islam will be studied with examples from around
the world, including the United States.
Meeting
Day, Time and Dates:
June
9 – 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Alwi
Shihab
Senior Research Associate in Islamic Studies and former
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia
Contact
Information:
phone: (860) 509-9500
email:
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Course
Syllabus
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Required
Reading:
I)
BOOKS
1. Annemarie Schimmel, Mystical Dimensions of Islam (University of
North Carolina Press)
2. Nirmal Singh, Exploring Sikh Spirituality.
3. M. Watt, The Faith and Practice of Ghazali.
II)
ARTICLES
1) Irfan Omar, “Khidr in the Islamic Tradition.”
The Muslim World,
volume 83(July-October 1993): 279-294;
2) 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.
3) 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.
4) “Sufism,
Creativity and Exile: An Interview with Seyyed Hossein Nasr.” Jusoor,
7/8, 1996, pp.
131-158.
5) Michel Chodkiewicz, The Spiritual Writings of Amir ‘Abd al-Kader
(SUNY, 1995): 29-73.
6) Martin Lings, Symbol
and Archetype: A Study of the Meaning of Existence (Quinta Essentia, 1991):
pp. 67-82.
7) Sayyida Fatimah Yshrutiyyah, “Contemplation and Action: The Sufi
Way.” In Yusuf Ibish and Ileana
Marculescu, eds., Contemplation and Action in World Religions (Seattle:
University of Washington Press, 1978).
COURSE
OUTLINE
1) First Day:
Introduction: Development of Early Islamic Mysticism
Reading: Schimmel, Mystical Dimensions
of Islam, pp. 3-97
2)
Second Day: Foundations and Key Terms in
Sufism
Reading: Schimmel, Mystical Dimensions of Islam, pp. 98-227
3)
Third Day: The Qur’an and
Sufism
Reading:
1) Sayyida
Fatimah Yshrutiyyah, “Contemplation and Action: The Sufi Way.” In
Yusuf Ibish and Ileana Marculescu, eds., Contemplation and Action in
World Religions (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1978);
2)
Martin Lings, Symbol and Archetype: A Study of the Meaning of Existence (Quinta
Essentia, 1991): pp. 67-82; and
3) Michel Chodkiewicz, The Spiritual Writings of
Amir ‘Abd al-Kader (SUNY, 1995): 29-73.
4)
Fourth Day: The ‘Green One’ in Islamic Spirituality and Modern Sufism
Reading:
1) Nirmal
Singh, Exploring Sikh Spirituality. PLEASE NOTE THAT Mr. Singh will
lecture to the class on this day between 9:00 AM and noon time;
2) Schimmel, Mystical Dimensions of Islam, pp. 228-286; and
3) Irfan Omar, “Khidr in the Islamic Tradition.” The Muslim World,
volume 83 (July-October 1993): 279-294
5)
Fifth Day: 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
COURSE
REQUIREMENTS
1) One
class presentation;
2) Final
Research Paper;
3) One
book review. Your book review copy is M. Watt, The Faith and Practice of
al-Ghazali.
4) Class
participation in general.
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