This is the first ever translation into English of a seminal work from the Sufi tradition. This title focuses on the Divine Name Allah and the virtues and transformative power of its invocation. Written by the renowned Sufi master Ibn Ata Allah al-Iskandari in the twelfth century the work is divided into two parts.---Part One looks at the Name of Allah, its letters and their meanings. While in Part Two the author turns to the more practical question of the role of invocation, both in general and of the Name Allah specifically. Ibn Ata Allah discusses the virtue of invocation and establishes that it is the supreme act of worship. The reader comes to understand that, by emulating the Qualities of God as expressed in His Names and invoking His Supreme Name Allah with awareness of its meaning and significance, the Sufi can cleanse his heart and until it becomes a worthy abode for God.

The Shaykh Ahmad al-'Alawi (d. 1934) was one of the most famous Sufi saints of the last century with many followers both in the Middle East and in Europe. Dr Martin Ling's bestselling biography of the Shaykh, A Sufi Saint of the Twentieth Century, brought him to the attention of the English-reading public. The Qur'an and the Prophet in the Writings of the Shaykh Ahmad al-'Alawi presents for the first time in English all the collected works of the Shaykh on the two guiding principles of Islam. The Shaykh al-'Alawi had embarked on a full commentary on the Qur'an but only completed an introduction explaining his approach to Qur'anic exegesis and commentaries on three chapters. All these pieces are included here with an additional appendix of answers to questions that the Shaykh's disciples had put to him on the Qur'an. The Qur'anic commentaries are followed by a treatise on the meaning of the invocation of blessings on the Prophet. This extremely profound treatise delves into the spiritual nature of the Prophet explaining how he represents both the summit of spiritual attainment and the example for all those seeking enlightenment. Also included in the appendix are answers that the Shaykh gave his disciples on sayings of the Prophet. The Qur'an and the Prophet in the Writings of the Shaykh Ahmad al-'Alawi is a treasury of Sufi commentary by an author whose stunning interpretations and penetrating insights are rare, even among the most renowned of Sufi authors. Moreover, there is very little in English on Quranic exegesis, especially Sufi exegesis, and readers with an interest in Sufism, Islamic studies and spirituality in general will find much here that is unique.

The Shaykh Amad al-'Alawi (d. 1934) was one of the most famous Sufi saints of the last century with many followers both in the Middle East and in Europe. Dr Martin Ling's bestselling biography of the Shaykh, A Sufi Saint of the Twentieth Century, brought him to the attention of the English-reading public. The Qur'an and the Prophet in the Writings of the Shaykh Ahmad al-'Alawi presents for the first time in English all the collected works of the Shaykh on the two guiding principles of Islam. The Shaykh al-'Alawi had embarked on a full commentary on the Qur'an but only completed an introduction explaining his approach to Qur'anic exegesis and commentaries on three chapters. All these pieces are included here with an additional appendix of answers to questions that the Shaykh's disciples had put to him on the Qur'an. The Qur'anic commentaries are followed by a treatise on the meaning of the invocation of blessings on the Prophet. This extremely profound treatise delves into the spiritual nature of the Prophet explaining how he represents both the summit of spiritual attainment and the example for all those seeking enlightenment. Also included in the appendix are answers that the Shaykh gave his disciples on sayings of the Prophet. The Qur'an and the Prophet in the Writings of the Shaykh Ahmad al-'Alawi is a treasury of Sufi commentary by an author whose stunning interpretations and penetrating insights are rare, even among the most renowned of Sufi authors. Moreover, there is very little in English on Quranic exegesis, especially Sufi exegesis, and readers with an interest in Sufism, Islamic studies and spirituality in general will find much here that is unique.