Companionship and Virtue in Classical Sufism The Contribution of al-Sulami
Produktdetaljer
Biografisk notat
Jason Welle is Assistant Professor of Comparative Theology at Boston College, USA. He holds a Ph.D. in Theological and Religious Studies from Georgetown University, USA.This volume allows readers to understand the evolution of Russian military might and the dangers associated with misguided foreign adventures. Recommended. General readers through faculty.
CHOICE
This volume on virtue and companionship in tradition will be particularly welcomed by those with a basic grounding in Sufi studies and medieval philosophy. Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty; professionals.
CHOICE
Welle’s careful analysis of al-Sulami brings the study of Sufi virtue ethics to new heights. His treatment of the primary sources is masterful and informed, drawing from a nuanced understanding of MacIntyre's philosophical framework. This is a major contribution to the study of Sufism, <i>adab</i> literature, and Islamic ethics.
Cyrus Ali Zargar, Professor, University of Central Florida
Al-Sulami was a towering Sufi author of his own period and beyond. Welle cracks open new dimensions of this prominent and prolific Sufi’s thought by bringing in insights from Alasdair MacIntyre to bear on al-Sulami’s treatise on companionship – a major contribution to our understanding of this key figure.
Ahmet T. Karamustafa, Professor, University of Maryland, USA
List of Figures
Acknowledgements
Transliteration, Dating, Primary Sources and Abbreviations
Introduction: What Does Virtue Ethics Have to Do with Sufism?
Companionship and community
Virtue and character
Biography of al-Sulami
Recent scholarship on al-Sulami
Companionship and virtue
Chapter 1: The Emergence of Adab in al-Sulami’s Spiritual Method
‘Adab literature’
Works of Sufi adab and adab literature
Adab, akhlaq and ahwal
Adab as MacIntyrean practice
Adab among al-Sulami’s Sufi predecessors
Al-Sulami’s approach to Adab
Dhikr adab al-sufiyya
Maiyyat al-faqr wa-adabihi
Adab al-faqr wa-sharaituhu
Adab mujalasat al-mashayikh
Jawami adab al-sufiyya
Kitab bayan al-sharia wa-l-haqiqa
Kitab adab al-suhba
Conclusion
Chapter 2: Virtue and Character in al-Sulami’s Thought
What does Athens have to do with Nishapur?
The treatment of traits
MacIntyre on tradition and virtue
Sufi psychology
The stations (maqamat)
Spiritual centres
The ego-self (nafs)
The heart (qalb)
The secret (sirr) and the spirit (Ruh)
Al-Sulami’s notion of akhlaq
Emotional akhlaq
Growth in virtue: Outside-in or inside-out?
Conclusion
Chapter 3: Al-Sulami’s vision of fellowship and spiritual companionship
Suhba and ishra: A difference in degree or in kind?
The dangers of suhba
The many faces of suhba and ishra
Acknowledged dependence, with a little help from my friends
O brother, who art thou?
Suhba in the relationship between master and disciple
Does suhba suffer fools?
Relations with women
The etiquette of the marketplace
Chapter 4: Suhba in comparison: al-Sulami’s near contemporaries
Philosophical approaches to friendship
Al-Tawhidi: The loyal friend of selfless care
The elevation of shaykhs and the bond of brothers
Al-Sarraj: Companions to disturb and to serve
Al-Qushayri: Stability and exclusivity on the path
Conclusion
Conclusion
MacIntyre, al-Sulami, and avenues for future research
Notes
Bibliography
Index