Illustrations Tables Preface Notes on Transliteration 1. Introduction Primary Sources of the Simnani Tradition The Simnani Tradition m Modem Scholarship Part I 2. The Life and Times of 'Ala' ad-dawla as-Simnani Early Life and Conversion to Sufism Conversion Experience Contact with Nur ad-din al-Isfara'ini Life in Simnan 3. Simnani's Masters and Disciples Investiture with Sufi Robes (Khirqas) Associates and Disciples Conclusion Part II 4. The Divine and Its Manifestation The Structure of God and the World Divine Manifestation The Spiritual and Physical Realms Emanation and the Compound Human Being 5. The Spiritual Body and the Mirror of God Composition of the Spiritual Body The Seven Climes of the Spiritual Realm Interior Ascent of the Subtle Substances Preeminence of the Subtle Substance of the"Real" The Subtle Substance of I-ness Conclusion 6. Traveling the Sufi Path Islamic Foundations of the Path Simnani's Understanding of the Qur'an Simnani's Understanding of Prophecy Rules for the Novice Rules for Sufi Practice 7. Seclusion and Recollection The Rules of Recollection The Hierarchy of Visions and Colors Annihilation and Resurrection Conclusion 8. Conclusion Divine Emanation and the Islamic Philosophical Tradition The Four Realms The Concept of Lata'if Simnani's Legacy Appendix A. The Written Works of Simnani Major Works Minor Works Correspondence Works Attributed to Simnani Not Known to be Extant Simnani's Titles Mentioned Only in Mataf al-ashraf Simnani's Commentary on the Qur'an Appendix B. Chronology of Events Glossary of Technical Terms Bibliography Index
Jamal J. Elias is Assistant Professor of Religion at Amherst College.
"It is an investigation of the life and teachings of one of the most famous and influential Sufis of Iran. The most interesting parts for me are the outlines of Simnani's cosmology and psychology, topics that have been only touched upon by earlier writers. The biographical sections are of great interest given the rare detail that is available in the sources." - William C. Chittick, State University of New York at Stony Brook
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