Recently updated and expanded, this collection of early Sufi writings, drawn from northeastern Iran, elucidates the beliefs of a small circle of disciples called the People of Blame. Of interest to modern scholars for the contrasting beliefs of this sect with later Sufi practices, the works--as well as the larger philosophical tenants of the People of Blame--forbid individualism while espousing the acceptance of blame as the key to obtaining intimate knowledge of God. Other topics discussed by these early authors include the role of Sharia laws and the embrace of poverty among the People of Blame.

Recently updated and expanded, this collection of scholarly translations of early Sufi writings, drawn from northeastern Iran, elucidates the beliefs of a small circle of disciples called the People of Blame. Of interest to modern scholars for the contrasting beliefs of this sect with later Sufi practices, the works--as well as the larger philosophical tenants of the People of Blame--forbid individualism while espousing the acceptance of blame as the key to obtaining intimate knowledge of God. Other topics discussed by these early authors include the role of Sharia laws and the embrace of poverty among the People of Blame.

'A Collection of Sufi Rules of Conduct' ('Jawami Adab al-Sufiyya') was written by one of the foremost early masters of Sufism and is considered as the first work devoted to the description of the way of life and the customs of the Sufis. It represents an early attempt to illustrate the conformity of Sufi beliefs and manners with the Qur'an and the example of the Prophet ('Sunna'). 'A Collection of Sufi Rules of Conduct' is therefore not only a pioneering work of ethics and mysticism, it is also a summary of the views of Sufis up till the eleventh century. It was a major influence on the development of Sufism from the eleventh century onwards. The translation by Dr Elena Biagi includes an introduction that places the author in his historical, literary and religious context, and a general glossary of Sufi technical terms.

"A Collection of Sufi Rules of Conduct" (Jawami Adab al-Sufiyya) was written by one of the foremost early masters of Sufism and is considered as the first work devoted to the description of the way of life and the customs of the Sufis. It represents an early attempt to illustrate the conformity of Sufi beliefs and manners with the Qur'an and the example of the Prophet (Sunna). "A Collection of Sufi Rules of Conduct" is therefore not only a pioneering work of ethics and mysticism, it is also a summary of the views of Sufis up till the eleventh century. It was a major influence on the development of Sufism from the eleventh century onwards. The translation by Dr Elena Biagi includes an introduction that places the author in his historical, literary and religious context, and a general glossary of Sufi technical terms.