The Key to Salvation: A Sufi Manual of Invocation [Paperback]

This is the first English translation ofMiftah al-falah, a thirteenth century Sufi text, written by Ibn Ata Allah, one of the great masters of the Shadhili Sufi order. It is considered to be one of his most important works because it sets out the principles of actual Sufi mystical practices, shedding light on the sacred invocations, and associated practices, such as the spiritual retreat. Written in a clear, lucid style, it offers a glimpse into the Sufi world of the 7th Islamic century and allows us to see almost at first hand how the novice was guided by the Sufi Shaykh and, above all, the purpose and preparation involved in engaging in the invocation,dhikhru'llah. Ibn Ata' Allah sets out to define it, to explain its nature and power, to show its results and to prove that it is part of the Prophet'sSunna, or practice. The author goes to great lengths to point out many Qur'anic verses wheredhikru'llahis mentioned and cites many noted authorities.

Mary Ann Koury-Danner, currently Area Specialist for Middle Eastern Studies at Indiana University Library, has already won two awards for this translation.

Translator's Introduction.
Translation:
1. On the Nature of Remembrance
2. Invoking Aloud
3. Benefits of Invocation in General
4. On the benefits of the Invocations Used by the Novice travelling the path
5. On choosing the Type of Remembrance
6. The gradual Advance of the Seeker by Means of the Invocations
7. On the Invocation During Spiritual Retreat
8. The Oneness of God
9. Gnosis
10. What Initiates on the path Must impress upon themselves
11. On Explaining Invocations
12. Remembrance in All Situations and times during the day and the night
13. Incantations.
Appendix I: Key persons mentioned in the text.
Appendix II: Glossary of terms
Appendix III: Silsilah of the Shadhili Order
Bibliography
Index