Sufi Women

Author(s): Javaad Nurbakhsh

Sufism

In the Preface of Dr. Javad Nurbakhsh's book Sufi Women the question Is there any difference between men and women in terms of their faith? is plainly addressed. With candid simplicity, Dr. Nurbakhsh writes that women who seriously set foot on the path toward Reality are in exactly the same position as men who do so. He goes on to extol: Since in the Ocean of Divine Unity neither I or You exists, what possible meaning can man or woman have? The book throws a light on the profound respect accorded to Sufi women through the centuries from the early days of Islam, presenting the biographies and anecdotal stories of a number of highly reputed women. Beginning with Rabia, the most famous Sufi woman of early times, who it was said surpassed most of the contemporary masters of her time in wayfaring to God, to dozens of others, including anonymous women who’s stories are here set down for the first time. Dr. Nurbakhsh's book also contains one of the most succinctly written overviews of the history of Sufism including its later transformation and evolution expanding from seventh century A.D.
to the late fifteenth century comprised of stages, namely: asceticism and abstinence; the elements of Divine love and compassion having replaced the previous stress on the fear of God's chastisement; ethical practices and theoretical Sufism, to the speculative philosophy in conjunction with Ibn'Arabi's Unity of Being.


Product Information

General Fields

  • : 9780933546745
  • : Khaniqahi Nimatullahi Publications
  • : October 2003
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Javaad Nurbakhsh
  • : Paperback
  • : English
  • : 213