Journey Through Ten Thousand Veils

by Maryam Kabeer Faye

Born in a Jewish family, Maryam Kabeer was led to live in India and Nepal, and in monasteries in Europe, and then guided to embrace Islam at the hands of an ancient Sufi Master a few minutes away from the tomb of the Prophet Abraham. She then was guided to study intensively with Sufi Masters around the world. Her journey to the holy places and people of the earth, led her finally to Africa and the deep truth that all lives are totally interconnected and united with our own. This book is a significant and revealing social commentary, also dispelling many other myths and stereotypes such as the proposition, often fostered by the media, that women are inevitably oppressed in Islam. On the contrary, it is by entering into the heart of Islam that the author was liberated, elevated, empowered, and guided to realize the true purpose of her existence.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Islam, Philosophy

320 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2008

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met the woman who wrote this book at a Metaphysical Fair yesterday, March 25, 2012. I saw her and another woman wearing veils, setting up their booth of tapestries and beautiful fabrics, right next to me. I thought it odd that Muslim women would be at such an affair, I was there to read tarot and sell my poetry tarot book. As the day went on, Maryam approached me, and with kind, laughing eyes, and a presence which was so soothing, said, "Let's get to know each other, since we're neighbors. I'll look at your book, and you may look at mine!" She was so cheerful and fun. As the day went on, I found she was knowledgable about the tarot, again something I would think forbidden for Muslim women. She informed me she would be attending a 3 day tarot convention in Washington, DC around April 21st for three days, and she would be speaking on the Temperance card. That she travelled often.

I was fascinated with her, and I can't wait to read this book. Apparently there is much I don't know about Muslim women, and the Sufi sect must allow the women much more freedom. Meeting her was a treat. We talked about 9/11, and fake spirituality, among other subjects. Then she left me with, "Jean, isn't it a shame so many people can't figure out the only thing that matters is Love?" Truly wise words from a very wise woman, and I am grateful that I had the chance to meet her! I can't wait to review this one!

It's April 11th, and I finished this wonderful book, and it was certainly a good read! You can find my review here: http://jeanbakula.hubpages.com/hub/Jo... and one about my bad experience at the Metaphysical Fair above, called Fake Spirituality http://jeanbakula.hubpages.com/hub/Fa...

[Irving Karchmar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maryam Kabeer Faye is one of those rare seekers after knowledge, a Qalandar in Sufi terminology, a traveler to many lands in search of wisdom from the teachers of the era. It is an adventurous and loving journey, and her descriptions and prose is heartfelt, even with the abundance of adjectives. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey, and she is still at it, ever seeking knowledge of God. Her life is an example for all who love and struggle in His name.

[Aisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Speechless

The best book I have ever read. The story captured me from the very first page: an amazing journey of a true saint shared so generously with such beautiful captivating detail. A must must read for all those lost in this journey called life and looking for some guidance along the way.

[Neneng Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maaf sebelumnya, jika review ini tidak berkenan bagi penerbit. Saya harap, semoga Penerbit Qaf bisa terus menerbitkan buku Islami yang bagus dan menggugah jiwa-jiwa pendosa seperti saya

Maaf sekali lagi, apakah sebelum penerbit menerbitkan buku ini sudah dibaca isinya semua kah? Sampai habis? Karena kalau iya, apakah Penerbit tidak melihat banyak ketimpangan dalam buku ini? Sebagian berhasil saya tuliskan dan saya share di postingan ini (silahkan lihat slide-slide selanjutnya)

Ilmu saya seperti sebutir debu. Jadi jika ada kesalahan saya dalam mengomentari buku ini, mari kita diskusi di kolom komentar

Luar biasa sekali mengenal buku ini. Berkenalan dengan Maryam yang kehilangan arah, lalu dipertemukan dengan Islam sehingga tidak bosan untuk terlibat dalam kegiatan kemanusiaan, berguru dengan guru spiritual yang hebat, sehingga keyakinannya pada Islam membawanya pada penghargaan Syaikhah

Kisah Maryam membuat saya bergidik, ketika beberapa kejadian "ajaib" yang ia rasakan selama mencari dan menekuni Islam. Apalagi ketika Maryam pertama kali melihat gerakan shalat di padang pasir, itu Masya Allah keren sekali

Namun ada beberapa hal yang tidak cocok dengan ajaran Islam yang selama ini aku ketahui (sekali lagi, ilmuku masih jauh dari sempurna). Hal ini didukung oleh respon teman-teman bookstagram ketika saya membagikan reading progress di IGS. Terima kasih buat teman-teman yang meluangkan waktu untuk menjawab pertanyaan saya

Namun ada 2 hal yang membuat saya bertanya-tanya (karena tidak ada ditulis di dalam buku):
1. Biasanya, muslimah mualaf, pasti akan menceritakan sensasi pertama kali berhijab. Tapi disini, Maryam sama sekali tidak menyebut-nyebut masalah hijab.

2. Sebagai orang ibu dan (pernah) menjadi istri seseorang, apakah selama ia berguru dgn para Syaikh, tidak ada yg memberi nasehat padanya bahwa tempat terbaik bagi seorang ibu dan istri adalah di rumahnya, dekat dengan suami dan anak-anaknya? Bahkan Maryam, menceraikan suaminya supaya ia bebas melakukan perjalanan spritualnya

Secara keseluruhan, buku ini membuat saya iri dengan keimanan Maryam. Ia mualaf begitu gigih mencari ilmu sampai berkeliling negara-negara yang membutuhkan pertolongan

[Agustus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Salah satu buku terbaik yang saya baca tahun ini. Memoar ini ditulis dengan begitu lembut, ringan dibaca, sekaligus mendalam dan kontemplatif. Banyak dan banyak sekali notable quotes dari syaikhah maryam dalam meniti perjalanan panjang dalam perjalanan ruhani ke dalam, dan ke dalam, melalui berbagai serangkaian perjalanan fisik, jg pengabdian dari satu guru ke guru lain, juga kepada umat manusia pada umumnya di masa katastrofe seperti zaman now.

Kita butuh suar² kedamaian. Itu ada dlm terangan cahaya ruhani Islam, khususnya dlm titian ruhani-nya. Suar² kedamaian di tengah eksposisi hedonisme, saling dengki, dan perang proxy dari jangkauan paling luas hingga paling kecil, sumbernya adalah dari batin yang damai

[Zulfkar Sofi · Rating 5 out of 5]

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