Al-Sulami (d. 412/1021) was an influential classical Sufi master whose works espoused companionship as a way for believers to experience God’s guidance and cultivate religious virtues. This book provides a historical reconstruction of Sufi companionship in Khurasan in the period, arguing that al-Sulami's concept of suhba (companionship) envisioned the transformation of society as whole, not just the master-disciple relationship. Bringing debates in contemporary virtue ethics to bear on al-Sulami's spiritual method, the book offers an original analysis of the latter’s thought that will be of interest to scholars of early Islam and classical Sufism as well as moral theologians interested in virtue ethics, character and friendship.
By:
Jason Welle,
Jason Welle
Imprint: I.B. Tauris
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9780755652273
ISBN 10: 0755652274
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 25 July 2024
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
List of Figures Acknowledgements Transliteration, Dating, Primary Sources and Abbreviations Introduction: What Does Virtue Ethics Have to Do with Sufism? Companionship and community Virtue and character Biography of al-Sulami Recent scholarship on al-Sulami Companionship and virtue Chapter 1: The Emergence of Adab in al-Sulami’s Spiritual Method ‘Adab literature’ Works of Sufi adab and adab literature Adab, akhlaq and ahwal Adab as MacIntyrean practice Adab among al-Sulami’s Sufi predecessors Al-Sulami’s approach to Adab Dhikr adab al-sufiyya Maiyyat al-faqr wa-adabihi Adab al-faqr wa-sharaituhu Adab mujalasat al-mashayikh Jawami adab al-sufiyya Kitab bayan al-sharia wa-l-haqiqa Kitab adab al-suhba Conclusion Chapter 2: Virtue and Character in al-Sulami’s Thought What does Athens have to do with Nishapur? The treatment of traits MacIntyre on tradition and virtue Sufi psychology The stations (maqamat) Spiritual centres The ego-self (nafs) The heart (qalb) The secret (sirr) and the spirit (Ruh) Al-Sulami’s notion of akhlaq Emotional akhlaq Growth in virtue: Outside-in or inside-out? Conclusion Chapter 3: Al-Sulami’s vision of fellowship and spiritual companionship Suhba and ishra: A difference in degree or in kind? The dangers of suhba The many faces of suhba and ishra Acknowledged dependence, with a little help from my friends O brother, who art thou? Suhba in the relationship between master and disciple Does suhba suffer fools? Relations with women The etiquette of the marketplace Chapter 4: Suhba in comparison: al-Sulami’s near contemporaries Philosophical approaches to friendship Al-Tawhidi: The loyal friend of selfless care The elevation of shaykhs and the bond of brothers Al-Sarraj: Companions to disturb and to serve Al-Qushayri: Stability and exclusivity on the path Conclusion Conclusion MacIntyre, al-Sulami, and avenues for future research Notes Bibliography Index
Jason Welle is Assistant Professor of Comparative Theology at Boston College, USA. He holds a Ph.D. in Theological and Religious Studies from Georgetown University, USA.
Reviews for Companionship and Virtue in Classical Sufism: The Contribution of al-Sulami
Welle’s careful analysis of al-Sulami brings the study of Sufi virtue ethics to new heights. His treatment of the primary sources is masterful and informed, drawing from a nuanced understanding of MacIntyre's philosophical framework. This is a major contribution to the study of Sufism, adab literature, and Islamic ethics. * Cyrus Ali Zargar, Professor, University of Central Florida *
