"The Mystics of Islam" by Reynold Alleyne Nicholson is a scholarly exploration of Islamic mysticism, specifically Sūfism, written in the early 20th century. The work aims to provide an accessible introduction to this complex subject, offering insights into the mystics' experiences and philosophies from the eighth century onwards. It delves into the themes of divine love, knowledge, and the individual's spiritual journey toward God, revealing how these concepts have evolved within Islamic
thought. At the start of the book, Nicholson outlines the essence of Sūfism, describing it as the pursuit of direct knowledge of God through profound spiritual experiences. He introduces the historical context of Sūfism, tracing its origins and development while emphasizing the influence of earlier religious and philosophical traditions, such as Neoplatonism and Gnosticism. The author reflects on the ascetic practices, ethical principles, and psychological transformations that characterize Sūfī thought. Throughout the introduction, he frames Sūfism as a journey inward, marked by repentance, love, and the ultimate goal of unity with the divine, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of the practices and teachings of Muslim mystics in the subsequent chapters. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
The path -- Illumination and ecstasy -- The gnosis -- Divine love -- Saints and miracles -- The unitive state.
Credits
Tim Lindell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Reading Level
Reading ease score: 68.5 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
