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Muslim Saints and Mystics

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Episodes from the Tadhkirat al-Auliya’ (Memorial of the Saints) by Farid al-Din Attar translated by A. J. Arberry. A wonderful work which looks at the lives, influences and growth of thirty eight Muslim mystics. This is a publication which must be read by one and all in order to understand the different trends and practices of mystics throughout history until modern day.

Sufism is the name given to the mystical movement within Islam; a Sufi is a Muslim who dedicates himself to the quest after mystical union (or, better said, reunion) with his Creator The name is Arabic in origin, being derived from the word suf meaning “wool”; the Sufis were distinguishable from their fellows by wearing a habit of coarse woollen cloth, in time when silks and brocades had become the fashion of the wealthy and mundane-minded, symbolic of their renunciation of worldly values and their abhorrence for physical comforts.

Mystical awareness was certainly present in the Prophet Mohammad’s attitude to Allah, and “mystical” is an entirely appropriate adjective to describe his many experiences of supernatural Presence making contact through him with a message to mankind. The Koran, the book of Allah’s revelations to Mohammad, contains numerous passages of a mystical character which the Sufis seized upon eagerly to buttress their own claims to personal trafficking with God.

Source: Section from the book 'Muslim Saints and Mystics' - Available for download once logged in