Three Early Sufi Texts: A Treatise on the Heart, Stations of the Righteous, The Stumblings of Those Aspiring

by al-Hakim al-Tirmidhi, Abu 'Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami al-Naysaburi, Nicholas Heer (Translator)

Recently updated and expanded, this collection of early Sufi writings, drawn from northeastern Iran, elucidates the beliefs of a small circle of disciples called the People of Blame. Of interest to modern scholars for the contrasting beliefs of this sect with later Sufi practices, the works—as well as the larger philosophical tenants of the People of Blame—forbid individualism while espousing the acceptance of blame as the key to obtaining intimate knowledge of God. Other topics discussed by these early authors include the role of Sharia laws and the embrace of poverty among the People of Blame.

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2003

Reviews

[Hamaad · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Abū al-Hasan al-Būshanji' said,
"One who humbles himself, God raises in stature, but one who exalts himself God humbles in the eyes of men.""

[Mark David Vinzens · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Know, may God have mercy on you, that of all God’s creation there is nothing better than a heart which has become virtuous through the light of unification (tawhid), gnosis (maʿrifa), and faith (iman), nor is there anything purer, cleaner, more pious, more sincere, nor anything more encompassing [than a heart] if God has cleansed it of impurities and undertaken its revival with the light of the truth (nur al-haqq), and cared for and guarded it, and provided it with benefits. Such is the heart of the believer, and its lights are without limit.”

— Al-Ḥakīm al-Tirmidhī, A Treatise on the Heart: Bayan al-Farq Bayn al-Sadr wa al-Qalb wa al-Fu'ad wa al-Lubb