The author begins with the outward aspects of the teaching most likely to puzzle the student coming fresh to the subject. He considers various attitudes to Sufi ideas, and evidence of their absorption into medieval Christianity, Hinduism, Jewish mysticism and modern philosophical teachings.

Shah gives potted biographies of some of the best-known Sufis of the ages, adding descriptions of four of the major Sufi orders: the Chisti, Qadiri, Suhrawardi and Naqshbandi. In addition there are a number of Sufi teaching stories as well as question-and-answer sessions with Sufi teachers.

The greater part of the book illuminates aspects of Sufi activity and practice relevant to the contemporary world.

The New York Times also applauded the book, saying it was ‘like a door opening where one least expects it’.

Part One: The Study of Sufism in the West
The Study of Sufism in the West
Notes and Bibliography

Part Two: Classical Authors
1. El-Ghazali
2. Omar Khayyam
3. Attar of Nishapur
4. Ibn el-Arabi
5. Saadi of Shiraz
6. Hakim Jami
7. Hakim Sanai
8. Jalaludin Rumi

Part Three: Four Major Orders
Four Major Orders
1. The Chishti Order
2. The Qadiri Order
3. The Suhrawardi Order
4. The Naqshbandi Order

Part Four: Among the Masters
A Meeting with Khidr

Part Five: Teaching-Stories

Part Six: Themes for Solitary Contemplation
Solitary Contemplation Themes
A Sufi Notebook: Some Contemplation-Themes

Part Seven: Group Recitals

Part Eight: Letters and Lectures

Part Nine: Questions and Answers on Sufism
1. Sufism and Islam
2. Deep Understanding

The Sufi is one who does what others do –
when it is necessary. He is also one who does
what others cannot do – when it is indicated.

Nuri Mojudi

SO many people profess themselves bewildered by Sufi lore that one is forced to the conclusion that they want to be bewildered. Others, for more obvious reasons, simplify things to such an extent that their ‘Sufism’ is just a cult of love, or of meditations, or of something equally selective.

But a person with a portion of uncommitted interest who looks at the variety of Sufi action can see the common characteristic staring him in the face.

The Sufi sages, schools, writers, teachings, humour, mysticism, formulations are all connected with the social and psychological relevance of certain human ideas.

Being a man of ‘timelessness’ and ‘placelessness’, the Sufi brings his experience into operation within the culture, the country, the climate in which he is living.

The study of Sufic activity in distant cultures alone is of value only to those working in the narrow field of scholasticism. Considering Sufi activities as merely religious, literary or philosophical phenomena will produce only garbled renditions of the Sufi way. To try to extract theory or system and to attempt the study of it in isolation is just as comparatively profitless.

This book is designed to present Sufi ideas, actions and report: not for the microscope or as museum-pieces, but in their relevance to a current community – what we call the contemporary world.

IDRIES SHAH

From The Way of The Sufi by Idries Shah
Copyright © The Estate of Idries Shah

Idries Shah was born in India in 1924 into an aristocratic Afghan family. He was an author and teacher in the Sufi tradition and is considered one of the leading thinkers of the 20th century.

Shah devoted his life to collecting, translating and adapting key works of Sufi classical literature for the needs of the West. Called by some 'practical philosophy' - these works represent centuries of Sufi and Islamic thought aimed at developing human potential. His best-known works include the seminal book The Sufis, several collections of teaching stories featuring the ‘wise fool’ Nasrudin, Reflections and Knowing How to Know.

Shah's corpus - over three dozen books on topics ranging from psychology and spirituality to travelogues and cultural studies - have been translated into two dozen languages and have sold millions of copies around the world. They are regarded as an important bridge between the cultures of East and West.