Understanding Sufism (Aftab Shahryar, 2004)

[madali]

Understanding Sufism (Aftab Shahryar, 2004)

Sufism, baby, can’t get enough of it. The book is an introduction to Sufism with its main focus being chapters devoted to some main Sufi figures. There is no point talking in detail about the book so I’ll just quote from each personality.

Gazali:
This world is only a mirage; whatever it has will perish one day. If you are wise you will not bow before this world even if this world kneels before you. Those who get tempted by this world shall perish and those who are indifferent to it, shall triumph. Love of this world is the root of all sin; indifference towards it I the root of all virtue. This world is like a snake, its softness is tempting  but its poison is fatal.


Ibn al-Arabi:
My heart can take on
Any form;
A meadow for gazelles,
A cloister for monks,
For the idols, sacred ground;
Kaaba for the circling pilgrim.
The tables for the Torah,
The scrolls of the Qur’an
I profess the religion of Love,
Wherever its caravan turns along
That is the belief,
The Faith I keep.

Rumi:
Be Drunk on Love, because Love is all that exists;
Without Love, no one has the right to enter His house.

Al-Jilani:
Lovers have eyes in their hearts;
They see, While others are staring blind.
Such Wings they have, not of flesh and blood.
They fly to their angels, their Lord to fine!

4/5

[ak]

Keep the Sufi stuff coming!

Also, do you listen to any Sufi music?

[madali]

I dont know if this counts, but Iranian Rock Band O-Hum mixes rock with Hafez and Rumi lyrics.

[fizz]

Paki pop rock group Junoon sound just like your cup of tea. They consider themselves popularizers of "Sufi Rock", in fact Wikipedia calls them the 'pioneers' of it. Personally, I've listened to most of their stuff and its pretty solid, if you can get past the fact that its in Urdu.

[madali]

I remember being introduced to Junoon in high school!