Tuhfah-yi 'Abbasi: The Golden Chain of Sufism in Shi'ite Islam

This book is one of the oldest and most important sources written on the esoteric teachings of Islam from a Shi'ite perspective. It demonstrates the Qur'anic origins of Sufism and its close relationship with Shi'ism. The book is based mainly on the teachings of the Qur'an, Hadith narrations of Shi'ite Imams, and the teachings of earlier Sufi masters. In this lies the uniqueness, authenticity, and strength of the book. Tuhfah yi-' Abbasi is written in a typical prose style of the Safavid period and is replete with Arabic words and phrases. The difficulty and dryness of the style, however, is properly compensated by timely quotation of Prophetic traditions, narrations of the Shi'ite Imams, and Sufi poetry composed by 'Attar, Rumi, Hafiz, Mansur Hallaj, as well as the author. This work conveys a universal message for all human beings, particularly at a time when Sufism and Shi'ism are misrepresented by pseudo-Sufis and extremist Shi'ite, and misunderstood by many readers in the Muslim world and in the West.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 Translator's Introduction Part 2 Editor's Preface Chapter 3 Introduction Chapter 4 On the Meaning of Sufi and Sufism and the Scarcity of Sufis among the People Chapter 5 On the Sufis' Belief in Divine Unity Chapter 6 On the Sufis' Belief in Prophethood and Immamate Chapter 7 On the Sufis' Belief in the Return to God Chapter 8 Explaining How the Sufis are Connected to the Sinless Imams Chapter 9 On the Excellence of Knowledge and the Scholars and Their Kinds Chapter 10 On Asceticism and Ascetic Practices Chapter 11 On Silence Chapter 12 On Hunger and Night Vigil Chapter 13 On Remembrance of God Chapter 14 On the Meaning of Trust in God Chapter 15 On Contentment and Submission Chapter 16 On [the Excellence of] Forty Day Worship Chapter 17 On the Permissibility of Listening to Pleasing Music Chapter 18 On Ecstasy and Swooning Chapter 19 On the Need for a Master and the Explanation of the Rules and Etiquette for the Master and the Disciple Chapter 20 Conclusion: On the Sayings and Utterances of the Sufi Masters Concerning the Stations Chapter 21 Supplement: On Divine Justice Part 22 Appendix: The Founder and the Masters of the Blessed Dhahabiyah Order Part 23 Bibliography Part 24 Index of Qur'anic Verses Part 25 General Index

About the Author :
Mohammad H. Faghfoory teaches Islamic Studies at the George Washington University in Washington, DC. He has written/translated eight books, numerous articles and book reviews, and contributed book chapters.

Review :
Thanks to the diligence of Professor Mohammad H. Faghfoory, the translation of Tuhfah yi 'Abbasi (The Golden Chain of Sufism in Shi'ite Islam) long considered to be one of the most significant works on Sufism, provides us with a wealth of information concerning the practical and theoretical aspects of Sufism. This work was written during the Safavid period by one of the most illustrious proponents of gnosis, Shaykh Muhammad 'Ali Mu'adhdhin Sabzawari Khurasani. In the first part, an exquisite synopsis of the discursive aspects of the Sufi doctrine and its relationship with Shi'ism is presented and in the second part, specific practices of the practitioners of the Sufi path are discussed in some detail. I highly recommend this book to the students of Sufism, Islamic studies, Islamic intellectual thought and religious studies. It should be used as a text for Sufi studies for years to come.. Mohammad H. Faghfoory has rendered a great service in making available for the first time a work that is perhaps the most important Sufi text of the Safavid period. This book is of great value for students of Sufism, Shi'ism and Persian culture of the Safavid period in general. Muslim scholars believe that purification of the soul is attainable through pursuing rigorous spiritual life and practices. This is the essential objective of esoteric Islam. In my opinion, Tuhfah yi 'Abbasi is the best book written on this subject from a Shi'ite perspective. It explains in simple language the details of spiritual journey and the processes that an aspiring wayfarer goes through to purify his soul and reach spiritual perfection. Thanks to the diligence of Professor Mohammad H. Faghfoory, the translation of Tuhfah yi 'Abbasi (The Golden Chain of Sufism in Shi'ite Islam) long considered to be one of the most significant works on Sufism, provides us with a wealth of information concerning the practical and theoretical aspects of Sufism. This work was written during the Safavid period by one of the most illustrious proponents of gnosis, Shaykh Muhammad 'Ali Mu'adhdhin Sabzawari Khurasani. In the first part, an exquisite synopsis of the discursive aspects of the Sufi doctrine and its relationship with Shi'ism is presented and in the second part, specific practices of the practitioners of the Sufi path are discussed in some detail. I highly recommend this book to the students of Sufism, Islamic studies, Islamic intellectual thought and religious studies. It should be used as a text for Sufi studies for years to come.