Sufism

Despite being the ‘inner’ dimension of Islam, Sufism has had a profound impact on both the cultivation of Islamic thought and the formation of Muslim society. A few Sufi histories already exist yet none provide a more timely account than this text. The raison d’être of this exemplary guide is to convey the manifold nuances of Sufi expression. The author collates his findings through a meticulously designed methodology which draws on an array of theories offered by sociologists, anthropologists and cultural historians. This multifaceted approach unfolds novel aspects of Sufi practice that are otherwise left undetected. For those who appreciate Sufi studies this book will no doubt be lifted off shelves for years to come and will feature in future research. The book is structured to open with a comprehensive review of how various imaginations of Sufism came to exist, alongside their historical context. Knysh shows how Sufi manifestations do not exist in a vacuum, rather they are a product of socio-political and cultural implications.