A groundbreaking exposition of Islamic mysticism
The Essence of Realitywas written over the course of just three days in 514/1120, by a scholar who was just twenty-four. The text, like its author ?Ayn al-Qut, is remarkable for many reasons, not least of which that it is in all likelihood the earliest philosophical exposition of mysticism in the Islamic intellectual tradition. This important work would go on to exert significant influence on both classical Islamic philosophy and philosophical mysticism.
Written in a terse yet beautiful style,The Essence of Realityconsists of one hundred brief chapters interspersed with Qur?anic verses, prophetic sayings, Sufi maxims, and poetry. In conversation with the work of the philosophers Avicenna and al-Ghazl+, the book takes readers on a philosophical journey, with lucid expositions of questions including the problem of the eternity of the world; the nature of Gods essence and attributes; the concepts of before and after ; and the souls relationship to the body. All these discussions are seamlessly tied into ?Ayn al-Quts foundational argumentthat mystical knowledge lies beyond the realm of the intellect.
An English-only edition.
?Ayn al-Qut (Author)?Ayn al-Qut(d. 525/1131) was a philosopher, mystic, and judge who was born in the western Iranian city of Hamadn. He was the student of A%mad al-Ghazl+ (d. 520/1126), the brother of the famous Abk $mid al-Ghazl+ (d. 505/1111). A maverick figure, he was put to death by the Seljuqs at the age of thirty-four, ostensibly on charges of heresy.
Livia Kohn (Foreword by)Livia Kohnis Professor Emerita of Religion and East Asian Studies at Boston University. She is the author of
Sitting in Oblivion: The Heart of Daoist Meditation.Mohammed Rustom (Translator)Mohammed Rustomis Professor of Islamic Studies at Carleton University. An internationally recognizel“h
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