The Subtleties of the Ascension: Lata'if al-Miraj: Early Mystical Sayings on Muhammad's Heavenly Journey

by Frederick S. Colby

Overview

The story of Muhammad's Night Journey and Ascension, in which the Prophet travels from Mecca to Jerusalem to Heaven and back in the course of a single night, has enchanted Muslim audiences for centuries; but for the Sufi mystics, the tale took on a special significance, becoming a fulcrum for their teachings. This book includes a never-before-published translation of first-millenium Sufi writings on the Ascension, an extensive annotation and commentary, an edition of the original Arabic text, and an appendix containing invaluable material for the specialist. Finally, beautiful color plates of relevant Persian miniatures and Quranic manuscripts add rich visual accompaniments. The work will appeal to both a general audience and specialists interested in mysticism, Sufism, otherworldly journeys, medieval folklore, and Islamic studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781887752787
Publisher:	Fons Vitae of Kentucky, Incorporated
Publication date:	04/01/2006
Series:	The Fons Vitae Sulami series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.84(d)

About the Author

Frederick S. Colby is an assistant professor of Islamic studies and comparative religion at Miami University–Oxford. He lives in Oxford, Ohio.

Table of Contents

Introduction     1
The Subtleties of the Ascension     29
Preface     31
God as the Sole Cause of the Journey (Wasiti)     33
The Nature of the Journey (Ibn Ata)     35
Bearing the Vision in the Heart (Ibn Ata)     37
A Choice of Words (Nasrabadhi)     39
The Propriety of Witnessing (Anonymous)     41
God's Gift to the Prophet (Wasiti)     44
Bearing the Vision of God (Razi)     46
The Wisdom of the Ascension (Wasiti)     47
Touching the Head to the Ground at the Lote Tree of the Boundary (Anonymous)     49
Seeing with God's Eyes (Hallaj)     52
Humanness Transformed (Hallaj)     53
The Inexplicable Approach (Ja far Sadiq)     55
When Obeisance is Appropriate (Anonymous)     58
The Ineffable Limit (Junayd)     60
The Speech of Moses and Muhammad (Junayd)     61
Increase in Secret Knowledge (Kharraz)     64
On the Approach (Wasiti)     66
Approaching the Divine Vision (Ja far Sadiq)     69
Special Clothing and Greetings (Junayd)     71
Moses and Muhammad (Anonymous)     73
The Distinguishing Sign (Faris Baghdadi)     75
Trials ofthe Prophets (Hallaj)     78
Divine and Prophetic Attributes (Abu Sa id Qurashi)     81
A Secret Between Lovers (Ja far Sadiq)     82
The Greatest Vision (Anonymous)     84
Abiding in the Presence (Jurayri)     86
The Benefit of Ritual Prayer (Hallaj)     88
Letter Mysticism with L and B (Anonymous)     92
Drawing Near to the Divine Vision (Anonymous)     93
Muhammad's Rank (Dimashqi)     95
The Purpose of the Ascension (Anonymous)     97
Hierarchy of Ranks (Faris Baghdadi)     99
The Unswerving Aim (Nuri)     101
Cheerfulness at Resurrection (Anonymous)     103
Garments of the Select (Kharraz)     105
Illuminating the Heavens (Anonymous)     108
Proof in Jerusalem (Dinawari)     110
The Sanctification of Jerusalem (Wasiti)     112
The Prophet's Speechlessness (Anonymous)     114
The Limitations of Praise (Hallaj)     116
The Prophet's Expanding Cheerfulness (Anonymous)     118
Unswerving Vision (Ruwaym)     120
Real Praise (Wasiti)     122
Muhammad the Intercessor (Abhari)     123
Preparation for the Encounter (Shibli)     126
The Faltering Tongue (Hiri)     127
Approaching the Companion (Hiri)     129
Raising his Mention in the Heavens (Ibn Ata)     130
Ask and be Given (Hallaj)     132
From Fancy to Realization (Kharraz)     134
Buraq's Behavior (Jurayri)     136
Special Virtues of the Prophet (Abu Umar Dimashqi)     138
Master of the Forefathers (Anonymous)     139
The Real's Unique Power (Wasiti)     141
Special and General Vision (Bistami)     143
After the Night Journey (Anonymous)     145
Conclusion     146
The Arabic Text of The Subtleties of the Ascension     149
The Manuscript     151
The Printed Edition     163
Biographical Notes     223
Notes     233
Bibliography of Works Cited     263
Index     271

Editorial Reviews

"This book features lucid translations and subtle analysis and is recommended with heart and soul to students of Islamic studies, Sufism, and all who aspire to the Divine Presence in the fashion of the blessed Prophet of Islam." —Omid Safi, professor, Colgate University



"This book features lucid translations and subtle analysis and is recommended with heart and soul to students of Islamic studies, Sufism, and all who aspire to the Divine Presence in the fashion of the blessed Prophet of Islam." —Omid Safi, professor, Colgate University



"An important document of early Islamic spirituality, revealing the rich tradition of mystical interpretation of the Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad, this translation will be an important resource for Islamic studies, comparative religion, and mysticism." —Carl Ernst, professor, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill

From the Publisher