For many in the West, the ecstatic dancing ritual of whirling dervishes is the most recognizable aspect of Sufism. Sufism is the mystical branch of Islam, with which Muslims throughout the world identify. It emphasizes direct knowledge of the divine within each person. Its adepts see meditation, music, song, and dance as integral to the spiritual quest. The Chishti Sufi order is among the oldest and most popular of all Sufi traditions. Though most often identified with South Asia, today its devotees can be found from California to Kuala Lumpur. What are the distinctive practices of the Chishtis, and how do they differ from other orders? Who were the founding figures, and what were the seminal texts that provided the basis for this tradition? And how has this legacy continually been reinterpreted until the present day? Sufi Martyrs of Love provides access to the voices of Sufi authorities through the translation of texts being offered in English for the first time. It also offers a critical perspective on Western attitudes toward Islam and Sufism, confronts the prejudices of the academy and the media, and offers a clarification of the contemporary importance of Sufism from Asia to America.
For many in the West, the ecstatic dancing ritual of whirling dervishes is the most recognizable aspect of Sufism. Sufism is the mystical branch of Islam, with which Muslims throughout the world identify. It emphasizes direct knowledge of the divine within each person. Its adepts see meditation, music, song, and dance as integral to the spiritual quest. The Chishti Sufi order is among the oldest and most popular of all Sufi traditions. Though most often identified with South Asia, today its devotees can be found from California to Kuala Lumpur. What are the distinctive practices of the Chishtis, and how do they differ from other orders? Who were the founding figures, and what were the seminal texts that provided the basis for this tradition? And how has this legacy continually been reinterpreted until the present day? Sufi Martyrs of Love provides access to the voices of Sufi authorities through the translation of texts being offered in English for the first time. It also offers a critical perspective on Western attitudes toward Islam and Sufism, confronts the prejudices of the academy and the media, and offers a clarification of the contemporary importance of Sufism from Asia to America.
