The Principles of Sufism: (Library of Arabic Literature)

About the Book

'A'ishah al-Ba'uniyyah (d. 923/1517) of Damascus was one of the great women scholars in Islamic history. A mystic and prolific poet and writer, 'A'ishah composed more works in Arabic than any other woman before the twentieth century. Yet despite her extraordinary literary and religious achievements, 'A'ishah al-Ba'uniyyah
remains largely unknown. For the first time her key work, The Principles of Sufism, is available in English translation.
The Principles of Sufism is a mystical guide book to help others on their spiritual path. She recounts the fundamental stages and states of the spiritual novice's transformative journey, emphasizing the importance of embracing both human limitations and God's limitless love. Drawing on lessons and readings from centuries-old Sufi tradition, 'A'ishah advises the seeker to repent of selfishness and turn to a sincere life of love. In addition to his lucid translation, Th. Emil Homerin provides an insightful introduction, notes and a glossary to 'A'ishah al-Ba'uniyyah's remarkable account of the pursuit of mystical illumination.
A bilingual Arabic-English edition.

Table of Contents:
Letter from the General Editor iiiAbbreviations xAcknowledgments xiIntroduction xiiiA Note on the Text xxNotes to the Introduction xxThe Principles of Sufism 1The First Principle: Repentance (Tawbah) 6The Second Principle: Sincerity (Ikhla?) 36The Third Principle: Remembrance (Dhikr) 62The Fourth Principle: Love (Ma?abbah) 96Epilogue on Love 142Notes 167Glossary of Names and Terms 177Bibliography 188Further Reading 191Index 192About the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute 198About the Typefaces 199About the Editor-Translator 200

About the Author :

'A'ishah al-Ba'uniyyah (Author)
ʿĀʾishah al-Bāʿūniyyah (d. 923/1517) of Damascus was one of the great women scholars in Islamic history. A mystic and prolific poet and writer, ʿĀʾishah
composed more works in Arabic than any other woman before the twentieth century.
Th. Emil Homerin (Edited and Translated by)
Th. Emil Homerin is Professor of Religion in the Department of Religion & Classics at the University of Rochester, where he teaches courses on Islam, classical Arabic literature, and mysticism. Homerin completed his Ph.D. with honors at the University of Chicago ('87), and he has lived and worked in Egypt and Turkey for a number of years.

Review :
"With this masterful edition and translation of The Principles of Sufism, Homerin makes available to the English-reading public the most important work of al-Baʿuniyyah, a 16th-century scholar and mystic who lived in Damascus for most of her life. . . . Homerin's elegant and readable translation is made especially valuable by the side-by-side presentation of the Arabic and English texts. He offers a brief overview of al-Baʿuniyyah's life and work, positioning her as one of the greatest women scholars in Muslim history." (Choice) "This bilingual edition brings to English readership a rare feast: a short treatise on four fundamentals of the Sufi path--Repentance, Sincerity, Remembrance, and Love--strung together with copious quotations from the works of great masters." (Islamic Sciences) "Th. Emil Homerin's recent contribution to the field of Sufi studies and Islamic studies generally is his discovery of 'A'ishah al-Bauniyyah this truly remarkable mystical poetess whose mastery of Sufi poetic diction, intellectual tradition and imagery is fascinating." (Der Islam) "Homerin's work is an outstanding example of superb translation and editing. Homerin offers the original Arabic manuscript in addition to his translation, which brings to life and grants direct access into the subtleties of original language for non-Arab readership." (Journal of Religion History) "An outstanding example of superb translation and editing." (Journal of Religious Studies) "Brings to English-speaking audiences a fascinating piece written by one of the most remarkable figures of post-classical Islam." (Journal of Sufi Studies) "The translation of the prose and poems is excellent, and both the expert and the general reader can profit from the lucid presentation of the text in English. No doubt, this book is a great contribution to the study of Sufism in the Mamluk period. . . . Homerin deserves our gratitude for bringing to our knowledge 'A'isha al-Ba'uniyyah and for presenting an outstanding edition and translation of one of her treatises." (Jerusalem Studies in Arabic and Islam)