Inrushes of the Heart
The Sufi Philosophy of ʿAyn al-Quḍāt
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A comprehensive introduction to the life and thought of one of the Islamic intellectual tradition’s most original and profound authors.
Description
Inrushes of the Heart delves deeply into the life and thought of 'Ayn al-Quḍāt Hamadānī (d. 525/1131), a major Muslim philosopher, Sufi master, and religious judge who was executed by the Seljuq government at the age of thirty-four. Mohammed Rustom presents nearly eight hundred passages in translation (most of which appear here for the first time in English) from 'Ayn al-Quḍāt's Arabic and Persian writings alongside a step-by-step commentary that outlines every major theme that guides his worldview. Contextualizing 'Ayn al-Quḍāt's life, influence, and self-perception as a teacher and scholar extraordinaire, the book then carefully unpacks his highly original teachings on God, cosmology, human agency, spiritual practice, imagination, death, knowledge, scripture, beauty, and love.
Mohammed Rustom is Professor of Islamic Thought at Carleton University and Director of the Carleton Centre for the Study of Islam. He is the author of the award-winning book The Triumph of Mercy: Philosophy and Scripture in Mullā Ṣadrā, also published by SUNY Press.
Reviews
"I am delighted that Mohammed Rustom has written this much-needed book which finally does justice to the teachings of 'Ayn al-Quḍāt, one of the most original and inspiring authors during a period that bore witness to a great flowering of Sufi teachings wedded to philosophical and theological acumen." — William C. Chittick, Distinguished Professor, Stony Brook University
"In the fields of Islamic philosophy, mysticism, and theology, there is nothing remotely like this book, in any language, and it should therefore remain a standard reference and teaching resource for decades to come." — James Winston Morris, Professor Emeritus, Boston College
"Bringing to light the full spectrum of 'Ayn al-Quḍāt's bold and creative writings for the first time in modern scholarship, Inrushes of the Heart shows with blinding clarity why 'Ayn al-Quḍāt is to be seen as one of the most luminous stars in the night sky of Islamic spirituality and intellectuality." — Omid Safi, Professor of Islamic Studies, Duke University
"The lucid translations and painstaking historical research on display in Inrushes of the Heart can serve as a model for scholars of religion and philosophy in general, and Islamic thought in particular. This definitive book on one of pre-modern Islam's most significant thinkers will be an indispensable resource for students and researchers for decades to come." — Cyrus Ali Zargar, Al-Ghazali Distinguished Professor of Islamic Studies, University of Central Florida
"'Ayn al-Quḍāt's scintillating spiritual prose is brought to life in this brilliant anthology by Mohammed Rustom. Rustom's impeccable historical and philological scholarship creates a conductor for 'Ayn al-Quḍāt's lightning-like flashes of insight on the nature of reality, humanity, intellect, ethics, and revelation. Inrushes of the Heart is a veritable defibrillator, shocking our spiritual hearts back to life." — Oludamini Ogunnaike, University of Virginia