Frank Carlson Library

To understand Islam, one must understand the people who practice this faith. Consequently, this book is a detailed ethnographic study of two contemporary Sufi communities. It explores the perplexing range of theological and ritual variation, arguing for a direct correlation between Sufi multiformity and the agency of the spiritual leader, the Shaikh. He is principally responsible for shaping the community under his leadership. This work gives fascinating...

Caravan of Dreams distills the essence of Eastern thought in a feast of Sufi stories, sayings, poems and allegories, collected by one of the world's leading experts in Oriental philosophy and Sufism. Idries Shah builds up a complete picture of a single consciousness, relating Eastern mythology to reality, illuminating historical patterns, and presenting philosophical legends in this unique anthology. Its title is inspired from the couplet written...

A serious, yet entertaining, look at the impediments in current thought which prevent certain forms of understanding between people. The title story was made into an award-winning film with script by Idries Shah, and chosen as an Outstanding Film of the Year. The Dermis Probe comprises a collection of extracts from the written and oral tradition of Eastern thinkers. In his preface, Shah notes, 'In this book you can find illustrated some of the peculiarities...

This wise, funny, and compassionate book follows Gowins apprenticeship with Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, spiritual leader of the Sufi Order International. Until now, Pir Vilayat's order has not had a strong, accessible introduction. This book not only provides that service but is more down-to-earth than most books on Sufism. It also has the advantage of being universalistic. "The Sufi Way is not a religion or a component of a religion but the heart of...

Alif Lam Mım Alif: Allah, the One Lam: Muhammad Raheem, the merciful Light of Allah Mim: Muhaiyaddeen, the Qutb, the silent Voice within, explains the absolute truth-that your soul, His Light, and God are One. Only this is Sufi. Through the Qutb,  Muhammad Raheem Bawa Muhaiyaddeen (Ral.), that Explanation and that Light came to this world again. The sayings and illustrations in this vast collection were given by M. R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen...

This book takes the reader into the heart of the mystery of the 99 sacred Names of Allah. It is a vehicle for understanding the infinite nature of God, and for discovering the divine potential in every soul. It is also a comprehensive guidebook for progressing through the stages of the spiritual path and an instruction manual for teachers on how to work with students more wisely, as physicians of the heart. In the process of this voyage to discovery,...

There can be few topics in the religious and intellectual history of Islam that have aroused as much controversy and misunderstanding as Sufism. This is due partly to the multiform and elusive nature of Sufism itself and partly to the profusion of false claimants to Sufism, particularly in recent times. This lecture attempts to clarify the principal conceptual bases of Sufism and the way in which it may legitimately claim to be derived from both the...

PRAYER is an excellent representation of the entire range of instruction of Muhammad Raheem Bawa Muhaiyaddeen, may Allah be pleased with him, regarding the myriad aspects of the progressive steps of prayer and righteous behavior necessary for the purification of the seeker's heart, and opening out the wisdom and knowledge that is its inherent enlightenment.

For hundreds of years, the inner spiritual core of Islam has been the focus of Sufi thinkers. These essays allow the reader to understand the wisdom and history of Sufism.

Mizan Press is pleased to announce the publication of the first English translation from the Risala, the famous compendium of Sufi knowledge and practice by al-Qushayri (d. 1072). Principles of Sufism includes all sections of the Risala concerning the fundamental principles of Sufism; it omits only the biographical notices at the beginning of the work and various highly technical matters at its end. One of the most widely read Sufi treatises in Arabic,...