This book unlocks the secrets of the seven degrees through which the soul progresses as it travels the Sufi Path to its Lord. It teaches the novice how to transform the Inciting Soul the lowest and most egotistic of the self's manifestations, into the Reproachful Soul, which must then become Inspired, Serene, Contented, and Found Pleasing until it attains the ultimate degree of sanctity and wholeness as the Perfect Soul. To achieve this progressive purification of the self, special Sufi practices, litanies and attitudes of mind are recommended. Both practical and profound, this book offers a concise manual of Sufi teaching on the Way to spiritual liberation.

This volume answers many of the questions often asked by seekers of inward illumination. It also includes the author's commentary on a poem concerning inner wayfaring which speaks of the most exalted stations of the path and goes on to explain a number of paradoxes of the Way. These points are illustrated with references to the famous mystical poems of Ibn al-Farid and Abu Madyan.

Answering questions from scholars and travelers on the Sufi path, this core statement of Sufi belief explains confusing and obscure points of devoted practice. The discussion covers the beliefs of the Pole of Time and the Circle of Saints, the states of extinction and subsistence, the nature of universal existence, and technical points concerning the relationship between master and novice. There are also rulings on more practical questions about the respective merits of fame and obscurity, the correct way to worship the spirits of the dead, and the causes of civil war. The book is also notable for a fascinating stylistic technique: the curt and pitiless dismissals of all questions not on the traveler's path.

Thorough and enlightening, this account examines the religious practices of Islam. From discourses on reciting the Qur'an and abiding by the five pillars of Islam--profession of faith, prayers, fasting, giving of alms, and pilgrimage--to the role of "taqwa"--or God fearing--in attaining a good ending to life, this comprehensive guide touches upon many essential aspects of Islam. Additional chapters cover "Ruinous Things," such as arrogance, resentful envy, and avarice, as well as "Saving Things," including repentance, sincerity, reflection, and short hopes.

This biography of the saint and Iman Abdallah al-Haddad takes readers into the fascinating world and spiritual life of 17th- and early 18th-century Yemen. The life of this renown spiritual master--whose teachings and personal example continue to influence lives around the world--is examined, from his early attraction to Sufi poetry and visit to the tomb of the prophet Hud to his rise as a Sufi master, his Hajj journey to Mecca, and his death. The biographical facts of al-Haddad's life are interspersed with 35 black and white photographs and ruminations on his spiritual teachings, including his take on the "nine stages of certainty," the five investitures of "taqwa," the stages of gnosis, and "karamat" and super natural events. Sufi practitioners, historians, and anthropologists will come to a deeper understanding of this timeless and enduring tradition with this fascinating record of a seminal Sufi master.

Profound illnesses call for profound remedies, and when nothing less than radical change will do, courage is essential to survival. Authentic traditional Islam provides a holistic and historically proven alternative. In this timely book, Dr. Mostafa al-Badawi shows that the revealed knowledge is the source of traditional wisdom, and that the Islamic faith and civilization has a verifiable track record of healing individual and social disintegration. The author presents a penetrating diagnosis of the illness of humanity today, together with a fascinating overview of the Islamic metaphysic, unearthing its spiritual and moral values and its timeless relevance and applicability. Man And The Universe is a compelling and urgently needed piece of writing about what we human beings are, where we stand, and what we can do about it.