Table of Contents
Dedication v
Preface Shaikh Muhammed Ma' sum Naqshbandi (ra) xi
Foreword Professor Shaikh 'Abd al-Karim xiii
Preface of the translator [from Kurdish into Arabic], Professor Dr. Muhammad Sharif Ahmad xxi
Foreword Arthur F. Burhler xxiii
Foreword Abdal Hakim Murad xxv
Author's Introduction xxxi
Chapter 1 The Reality of Sufism [Haqiqat at-Tasawwuf] 1
First Section: The technical term Tasawwuf [Sufism] 1
Second Section: Sufism and philosophy [falsafa]: 4
1 The Knowledge of certainty ['ilm al-yaqin] 6
2 The eye of certainty ['ain al-yaqin] 6
3 The truth of certainty [haqq al-yaqin] 6
Third Section: Islamic Sufism and Islamic Law [Shari's] 14
Fourth Section: Sufism in the sayings of its great Shaikhs 17
Fifth Section: Sufism in the experience of Imam al-Ghazali 28
Chapter 2 Responses to questions about Sufism and its problems: 40
1 When did Islamic Sufism originate? 40
2 How can we establish the compatibility of Islamic Sufism with Islamic Law [Shari's]? 42
3 What is the method [minhaj] of Sufism? 53
Chapter 3 The spiritual stations [maqamat] of Sufism: 73
1 Repentance [tawba] 74
2 Reversion [inaba] 78
3 Abstinence [zuhd] 80
4 Pious caution [wara'] 83
5 Contentment [qana'a] 84
6 Patience [sabr] 85
7 Thankfulness [shukr] 89
8 Absolute trust [tawakkul] 92
9 Submission [taslim] 95
10 Good pleasure [rida] 97
11 Reckoning [muhasaba] 101
12 Fear and hope [khawf wa raja'] 101
13 Poverty [faqr] 105
14 Truthfulness [sidq] 108
15 Vigilant awareness [muraqaba] 112
16 Beneficence [ihsan] 115
17 Nearness [qurb] 119
18 Sincere devotion [ikhlas] 122
19 Annihilation [fana'] 126
20 Perpetuity [baqa'] 126
21 Affirmation of Oneness [tawhid] 135
22 Disengagement [tajrid] 143
23 Segregation [tafrid] 143
24 Affirmation of Incomparability [tanzih] 146
25 Servitude ['ubudiyya] 147
Chapter 4 Spiritual states [ahwal] 151
1 Constriction [qabd] 151
2 Expansion [bast] 151
3 Obliteration and establishment [mahw wa ithbat] 153
4 Sobriety and inebriation [sahw wa sukr] 153
5 Absence and presence [ghaiba wa shuhud] 153
6 Ardent yearning [shawq] 157
7 Intimacy [uns] 159
8 Ecstasy [wajd] 160
9 Majesty [jalal] 164
10 Beauty [jamal] 164
11 Perfection [kamal] 168
12 Pure affection [mahabba] 172
13 Gleams, dawnings, and sparkles [lawa' ih wa tawali' wa tawami'] 178
14 Attraction [jadhb] 179
15 Receiving [warid] 179
Chapter 5 Technical Terms of the Sufis [mustalasat] 180
1 Spiritual exercise [riyada] 180
2 Dedicated striving [mujahada] 180
3 Disclosure [kashf] 185
4 Charismatic talents [karamat] 185
5 Light [nur] 188
6 The heart [qalb] 191
7 The self [nafs] 198
8 Remembrance [dhikr] 202
9 Illumination [ishraq] 209
10 Direct witnessing [mushahada] 210
11 The realm of Divinity [Lahut] 211
12 The realm of Humanity [Nasut] 211
13 The realm of Omnipotence [Jobarut] 211
14 The realm of Sovereignty [Malakut] 211
15 The four basic elements ['anasir] 212
16 The saint [wali] 212
17 The seeker [murid] 215
18 The deputy [khalifa] 219
Praiseworthy attributes 222
1 Love of what is best for people [hubb al-khair li'n-naa]
2 Sincerity [ikhlas]
3 Humility [tawadu']
4 Generosity [jud]
5 Truthfulness [sidq]
6 Trustworthiness [amana]
7 Contentment [qana'a]
8 Compassion [rahma]
9 Modesty and propriety [haya' wa adab]
10 Affection for human beings [mahabbat annas]
11 Courage [shaja'a]
12 Reliability [thiqa]
13 Tolerance [hilm]
14 Readiness to pardon ['afw]
15 Respect for family ties [silat ar-rahim]
16 Striving for what is good [as-sa'y li' l-kahir]
17 Thankfulness for blessing [shukr an-ni'ma]
18 Self-denial and altruism [nukran adh-dhat wa 'l-ithar]
19 Fidelity [wafa'].
Blameworthy attributes 223
1 Envy [hasad]
2 Ostentation and hypocrisy [riya' wa nifaq]
3 Arrogant pride, vain conceit and delusion [kibr wa 'ujb wa ghurur]
4 Miserliness [bukshl]
5 Lying [kadhb]
6 Betrayal of trust [khiyanat al-amana]
7 Greedy pursuit of wealth or prestige [takalub 'ala 'l-mal awi 'l-jah]
8 Cruelty [qaswa]
9 Insolence [waqaha]
10 Antipathy to one's fellow human beings [karahiyyat an-nas]
11 Cowardice [jubn]
12 Lack of reliability ['adam ath-thiqa]
13 Anger [ghadab]
14 Vengefulness [intiqam]
15 Severance of family ties [qat' ar-rahim]
16 Slander [namima]
17 Ingratitude for blessing [kufran an-ni 'ma]
18 Love of the self [hubb adh-dhat].
Chapter 6 The Naqshbandi Spiritual Path [Tariqa] 224
The Eleven Axioms of the Naqshbandi Spiritual Path 252
The Naqshbandi Chain of Transmission [Silsila] 265
When was this Spiritual Path called "Naqshbandi"-and why? 268
The Life of Baha' as-Din an-Naqshband 271
Sources 278
An Appendix of Photographs 281
