Aisha al-Ba'uniyya: A Life in Praise of Love

Makers of the Muslim World

by Th. Emil Homerin

Aisha al-Ba‘uniyya (c.1456–1517) was one of the greatest women mystics in Islamic history. A Sufi master and an Arab poet, her religious writings were extensive by any standard and extraordinary for her time. In medieval Islam a number of women were respected scholars and teachers, but they rarely composed works of their own. Aisha al-Ba‘uniyya, however, was prolific. She composed over twenty works, and likely wrote more Arabic prose and poetry than any other Muslim woman prior to the twentieth century.

The first full-scale biography of al-Ba‘uniyya in the English language, this volume provides a rare glimpse into the life and writings of a medieval Muslim woman in her own words. Homerin presents her work in the wider context of late-medieval Islamic spirituality, examining the influence of figures such as Ibn al-‘Arabi, al-Busiri and Ibn al-Farid, and emphasising the role of the person of the Prophet Muhammad in her spirituality. Aisha al-Ba‘uniyya is a fascinating introduction to a figure described by a sixteenth-century biographer as ‘one of the marvels of her age’.

Genres: Poetry, Islam

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 4, 2019

Reviews

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

The th. stands for Thomas,
الله يرحمه.
Detailed history!

[Roan24 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The biography was lacking, and the author made up for it with lots of (admittedly interesting) general history. Her poems seem interesting, and perhaps a short anthology would've allowed the authors' commentary on her work to shine brighter.

[‪‪ lu ❤︎‬ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“He who tastes the love of God vanishes
from his selfish soul and its cares to abide in Him, Annihilated without an eye or trace remaining,
rapt in witnessing the awesome beauty of His love.
All of his fanciful desires pass away
in preference for what comes from his Beloved.
He regards His prohibition as the greatest gift,
and so, too, banishment from being near Him.
Vision of Him leads the lover to melt away as the epiphany refines him.” Aisha, (Fayd, ed. "Arar, 125)

“Know, may God show you mercy, that recollection is one of the signs of love. The greatest beloved, the prophet Muhammad, God's blessings and peace be upon him, said: ‘The one who loves something, remembers it often.’ So what a privilege and honor for the one who remembers, that he is remembered by the True Reality, who has made a promise that He will never break [Qur'an 2:152]: ‘Remember Me, and I will remember
you!’" (al-Muntakhab, 91)

the author and translator emil homerin I believe was a sincere academic amongst the orientalists. in fact, he himself in egypt, rigorously searched for and translated the forgotten manuscripts of aisha al ba’unniyya’s writing and has clearly put lots of thought into this book in trying to construct her biography and contextualise her writing. in this book, homerin, rather than hastily delving into ba’uniyya’s works, he sets the scene. precisely, he pieces together the flourishing history of the Muslims in 14th-15th century damascus and covers in-depth the lineage and family members of aisha, historical events, her education, childhood, marriage, children and even tries to enlighten the reader with the practice of hajj and how Aisha’s community performed this. aisha al ba’uniyya was extremely well educated and well read in hadith, poetry, arabic literature and of course the Quran, (having memorised it at the age of 8). Allahumabarik!! not just that but she was a pious muslimah and loving mother. she cared so deeply for her son!! May Allah grant her the highest ranks in Jannah. her writing is full of so much humility, yearning, taqwa and love for Islam and God. she produced a plethora of devotional odes, many praising Allah swt, and many praising Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and it was a joy to read excerpts of her poetry and prose.