Religion : Islam

We've all read about the laws and politics of Islam, but Sufism is the poetry and romance of the world's fastest growing religion. This ascetic and mystical movement within Islam dates from the early 9th century. It has a long and respected tradition of rejecting worship motivated by the desire for heavenly reward or the fear of punishment, insisting rather on the love of God as the sole valid form of adoration. Nasr is the preeminent Sufi scholar in the U.S., and in the tradition of Martin Buber's I and Thou, here provides the beliefs and vision of the mystical heart of Islam. Sufism has made significant contributions to the spread of Islam and the development of various aspects of Islamic civilization (e.g., the Sufi poet Rumi is the best–selling poet in America). Many conservative Muslims disagree with many popular Sufi practices, particularly saint worship, the visiting of tombs, and the incorporation of non–Islamic customs. Consequently, in recent centuries Sufism has been a target for Islamic reformist and modernist movements. Here is the book that will present the ideas and principles held dear by this peaceful, loving tradition within Islam, along with a history of Sufi saints and schools of thought. Sufism is a much needed corrective to the extremist Muslim fundamentalists who capture the headlines and taint our perception of the world's fastest growing religion. more...

Price: $11.99

Praise for Bernard Lewis.  . "For newcomers to the subject[el]Bernard Lewis is the man.". TIME Magazine.  . “The doyen of Middle Eastern studies.". The New York Times.  . “No one writes about Muslim history with greater authority, or intelligence, or literary charm.”. British historian Hugh Trevor-Roper.  .  . "Bernard Lewis combines profound depth of scholarship with encyclopedic knowledge of the Middle East and, above all, readability.". Daily Telegraph (London).  . "Lewis speaks with authority in prose marked by lucidity, elegance, wit and force.". Newsday (New York).  . "Lewis' style is lucid, his approach, objective.". Philadelphia Inquirer.  . "Lewis writes with unsurpassed erudition and grace.". Washington Times.  . An objective, easy-to-read introduction to Islam by Bernard Lewis, one of the West’s leading experts on Islam.  . For many people, Islam remains a mystery. Here Bernard Lewis and Buntzie Ellis Churchill examine Islam: what its adherents believe and how their religion has shaped them, their rich and diverse cultures, and their politics over more than 14 centuries. Considered one of the West’s leading experts on Islam, Lewis, with Churchill, has written an illuminating introduction for those who want to understand the faith and the global challenges it confronts and presents. Whatever your political, personal, or religious views, this book will help you understand Islam’s reality.  . Lewis and Churchill answer questions such as...  . • How does Islam differ from Judaism and Christianity?. • What are the pillars of the Islamic faith?. • What does Islam really say about peace and jihad?. • How does the faith regard non-Muslims?. • What are the differences between Sunni and Shi’a?. • What does Islam teach about the position of women in society?. • What does Is more...

Price: $17.99

Book Two of Rumi's Masnavi is concerned with the challenges facing the follower of Sufi enlightenment. It interweaves stories and homilies in order to instruct followers of Rumi, the great thirteenth-century Muslim mystic. Jawid Mojaddedi's sparkling new verse translation follows his prize-winning edition of Book One. - ;'You don't seek guidance from those drunken men,. So why insist they mend their rags again?. God's lovers stand beyond all faiths, as they. Are shown by God Himself a higher way.'. Book Two of Rumi's Masnavi is concerned with the challenges facing the seeker of Sufi enlightenment. In particular it focuses on the struggle against the self, and how to choose the right companions in order to progress along the mystical path. By interweaving amusing stories and profound homilies, Rumi instructs his followers in a style that still speaks directly to us. In this volume, stories such as 'Moses and the Shepherd', 'The Foolhardy Man who Trusted a Bear's Good Intentions'. and 'Mo'awiya and Satan' are among the most popular in the entire Masnavi. The most influential Sufi poem ever written, the six books of the Masnavi are often called 'the Qur'an in Persian'. Self-contained, as well as continuing the journey along the spiritual path, Book Two is here translated into rhyming couplets in the style of Jawid Mojaddedi's prize-winning translation of Book One. - more...

Price: $8.95

The Qur''an (Arabic: al-qur''an, literally "the recitation"; also sometimes transliterated as Quran, Koran, or Al-Qur''an) is the central religious text of Islam. Complete edition - Three best known English translations: Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Marmaduke Pickthall and M. H. Shakir. Complete edition. Three best known English translations: Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Marmaduke Pickthall and M. H. Shakir. Read each translation of The Qur''an individually or compare three translations side by side. First Chapter: AL-FATIHA (THE OPENING) of THE HOLY QUR''AN :: Translator Ali, Abdullah Yusuf. THE HOLY QUR''AN. Chapter 1:. AL-FATIHA (THE OPENING) Total Verses: 7 Revealed At: MAKKA. 1.001 In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. 1.002 Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;. 1.003 Most Gracious, Most Merciful;. 1.004 Master of the Day of Judgment. 1.005 Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek. 1.006 Show us the straight way,. 1.007 The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray. more...

Price: $9.99

To Persians, the fourteenth-century poems of Hafiz are not classical literature from a remote past, but cherished love, wisdom, and humor from a dear and intimate friend. Perhaps, more than any other Persian poet, it is Hafiz who most fully accesses the mystical, healing dimensions of poetry. Daniel Ladinsky has made it his life's work to create modern, inspired translations of the world's most profound spiritual poetry. Through Ladinsky's translations, Hafiz's voice comes alive across the centuries singing his message of love. more...

Price: $14.00