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    The Perfect Being: Selections from the Classic Islamic Text
    The Perfect Being: Selections from the Classic Islamic Text
    The Perfect Being: Selections from the Classic Islamic Text
    Ebook201 pages2 hours

    The Perfect Being: Selections from the Classic Islamic Text

    By Aziz O-Din Nasafi

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    About this ebook

    Translated for the first time from the original Persian into English, these selected treatises from Aziz O-Din Nasafi's thirteenth-century work The Perfect Being provide a fascinating and rare, yet applicable, introduction to Sufism. The Perfect Being reads like a personal journal as well as a manual for those interested in Sufism. Its lucid exposition of the journey toward self-knowledge is both profound and eloquent, practical and transcendent. Presented here alongside a helpful introduction and explanatory notes to guide the reader, this book serves as a valuable introduction to classic Islamic texts.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherFortress Press
    Release dateSep 28, 2021
    ISBN9781506472829
    The Perfect Being: Selections from the Classic Islamic Text

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      Book preview

      The Perfect Being - Aziz O-Din Nasafi

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      Praise for The Perfect Being

      Mystics’ works and teachings are critical to the understanding of Persian history and culture. Aziz O-Din Nasafi’s writings offer insight into this often superficially understood facet of Persian arts and humanities. Dr. Amir Sabzevary has made the content of this valuable text accessible and enjoyable to read through his valuable translation and his in-depth contextual knowledge of the subject. While he prepares us to receive and experience the aesthetic complexities of Nasafi’s writings, Dr. Sabzevary encourages the reader to transcend the ‘intoxicating’ beauty of the writings to become aware of their transformative and inspirational potentials.

      —Shadieh Mirmobiny, PhD, educator of art history and humanities, Folsom Lake College

      "When life in the modern world appears to have lost meaning, decency, humility, and purpose, we can turn to sources of ancient wisdom for reassurance and direction. The Perfect Being points to the spiritual heart as a source of power, intelligence, and understanding. Those who understand the mystical way of life will be touched. Those who seek to understand will be encouraged and renewed."

      —Staci Tye, professor of humanities, Laney College

      The teachings in Nasafi’s classic text are meant for both the ears of the head and the ears of the heart. Dr. Sabzevary’s beautiful translation will educate those curious about the Sufi path. With profound gratitude, we receive this erudite and precious contribution to English-language scholarship on Iranian Sufi mysticism, which will enlighten generations to come.

      —Emily Hanlon, lecturer of humanities, San Francisco State University

      For anyone walking a spiritual path, guideposts along the way are necessary. The words of Aziz O-Din Nasafi offer us that much-needed guidance, and Dr. Amir Sabzevary’s translation allows simple and straightforward access to that wisdom. Perhaps one of the greatest gifts offered in this book is the notes Dr. Sabzevary provides throughout, giving deep insight into the meaning behind Nasafi’s words. These notes greatly contribute to making this book a profound and meaningful read.

      —Alyson Collom, instructor of humanities

      Sabzevary brings his considerable knowledge of literary Persian and classical Sufi hermeneutics to bear, making the text accessible for a contemporary audience while remaining true to Nasafi’s original work. In a modern world often devoid of true religious spirit, Sabzevary’s translation and commentary call us back into the luminous world of medieval Sufism—serving as a reminder that even hundreds of years later, the hidden wisdom continues to live on—if only we have the eyes to see. This illuminating translation not only gives us eyes to see but points beyond the senses altogether—to a realm of peace, compassion, and unity. Nasafi’s words of wisdom in this text reach across time and space, ultimately inviting us, too, to live into the essential teachings of the Sufi path.

      —Cassie Lipowitz, senior lecturer of religious studies, Notre Dame de Namur University

      "In contrast to the Sufi literature currently available in the West, such as the poetic and intellectual renditions of Rumi and Ibn Arabi, Aziz O-Din Nasafi’s The Perfect Being is a lucid and straightforward manual on Sufism. Professor Sabzevary’s eloquent introductory notes explain the Islamic and Persian cultural etiquette that serves as the cradle that holds and protects these ideas, as without embodying these cultural nuances, Sufi ideas can only serve superficial functions. The resulting translation is one of the most accessible and comprehensive works on self-knowledge available in English."

      —Brian Johnson, professor of religion and philosophy, Merced College

      "The Perfect Being calls across time and place, beckoning those with ears to hear to turn away from the chaotic din of contemporary culture to contemplate the perennial path of wisdom instead. The distractions of everyday life are as old as time; mercifully, the healing wisdom found in The Perfect Being is older than time itself. It is our good fortune that both writer and translator/editor of this grace-filled volume possess the vital depth of understanding to bring this ancient wisdom to their respective time and place."

      —Carolyn D. Collom, professor of humanities and religious studies, Laney College

      The Perfect Being

      The Perfect Being

      Selections from the Classic Islamic Text

      Aziz O-Din Nasafi

      Translator and Editor

      Amir Sabzevary, PhD

      Fortress Press

      Minneapolis

      THE PERFECT BEING

      Selections from the Classic Islamic Text

      Copyright © 2021 Fortress Press, an imprint of 1517 Media. All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical articles or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publisher. Email [email protected] or write to Permissions, Fortress Press, PO Box 1209, Minneapolis, MN 55440-1209.

      Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

      Scripture quotations marked ESV are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

      Cover image: Anna Poguliaeva / Shutterstock.com

      Cover design: Brad Norr

      Print ISBN: 978-1-5064-7281-2

      eBook ISBN: 978-1-5064-7282-9

      While the author and 1517 Media have confirmed that all references to website addresses (URLs) were accurate at the time of writing, URLs may have expired or changed since the manuscript was prepared.

      Contents

      Introduction: By Amir Sabzevary

      Introductory Treatise

      Chapter One: The Law, the Way, and the Truth

      Chapter Two: On the Perfect Being

      Chapter Three: On Perfect Freedom

      Chapter Four: On Speech

      Chapter Five: On the Journey

      The First Treatise

      Chapter Twelve: On the Evolution of the Human Spirit

      Chapter Thirteen: On the Number of Souls

      Chapter Fifteen: On Advice

      The Second Treatise

      Chapter One: On the Essence of Being

      Chapter Two: On the Community of Imitators: The Common Person

      Chapter Three: On the Uniqueness of the Community of Intellectuals

      Chapter Four: On the Community of Revelation

      Chapter Five: Another Community within the Community of Unity

      The Third Treatise

      Chapter One: On Three Groups of Human Beings, Who Are a Mixture of Material and Spiritual

      Chapter Five: On the Placement of Spirits

      Chapter Six: On the Soul’s Fate

      Chapter Seven: On God’s Destiny

      Chapter Eight: On Traversing the Path

      Chapter Nine: On Human Beings, in Whom Are Contained Both This and the Other World

      The Fourth Treatise

      Chapter One: On the Creation and Resurrection according to the Community of Wisdom

      Chapter Two: On the Intelligence and Structure of the Lower World

      Chapter Three: On Resurrection

      Chapter Four: On the State of the Soul after Its Release from the Body

      Chapter Five: On Advice

      The Fifth Treatise

      Chapter One: On Traversing the Path

      Chapter Two: On the Intention of the Seeker on the Path

      Chapter Three: On the Attainment of Wisdom through the Purification of the Body

      Chapter Four: On the Three Groups of People

      Chapter Five: On the Path to the Destination

      Chapter Six: On the Level of the Common Person

      Chapter Seven: On the Conditions of the Journey

      Chapter Eight: The Pillars of the Path

      Chapter Nine: On Veils and Status

      Chapter Ten: On Training

      The Sixth Treatise: On the Manners of Solitude

      Chapter One: On Obedience and Disobedience

      Chapter Two: On the Conditions of the Forty Days’ Training

      Chapter Three: On the Manners of Remembrance of God (Zikr)

      Chapter Four: On the Ascent of the Sufis

      The Seventh Treatise: On Love

      Chapter One: Introduction to Love

      Chapter Two: On the Levels of the Shadows of Love

      The Eighth Treatise

      Chapter One: On the Ethical Codes of the Sufis

      Chapter Two: On the Benefit of Traveling

      Chapter Three: On the Codes of Conduct in the Khaneghah

      Chapter Four: On Causing Another Dervish Sorrow

      Chapter Five: On Ecstatic Dancing

      Chapter Six: On Eating

      Chapter Seven: On Asceticism and Discipline

      Chapter Eight: On Speech

      The Ninth Treatise: On Maturity and Freedom

      Chapter One: On the Meaning of Maturity and Freedom

      Chapter Two: On the Freedom and Maturity of Human Beings

      The Tenth Treatise: On the Lesser World as a Representation of the Greater World

      Chapter One: On the Greater and the Lesser Worlds

      Chapter Two: On the Action of God and the Action of God’s Deputy

      Chapter Four: On Adam and Eve

      Chapter Five: On the Manifestation of Hell and Paradise

      The Eleventh Treatise: On Earthly, Heavenly, and Celestial (Intelligent) Realms

      Chapter One: On the World

      Chapter Two: A Further Discussion of the Physical, Heavenly, and Intelligible Realms

      Chapter Five: On Advice

      The Twelfth Treatise: On Heavenly, Angelic, and Physical Realms: Part One

      Chapter One: On the Nature of the Heavenly Realm

      Chapter Two: On Being, Nonbeing, and Love

      Chapter Three: On Advice

      The Thirteenth Treatise: On the Celestial, Angelic, and Physical Realms: Part Two

      Chapter One: On Unity

      Chapter Two: On the Night of Revelation

      Chapter Three: On Advice

      The Twenty-Second Treatise: On Heaven and Hell

      Chapter One: On Heaven and Hell and Adam and Eve

      Chapter Two: On the Gates of Heaven and Hell

      Chapter Three: On the Stages of Heaven and Hell

      Notes

      Further Readings

      The greatest Sin: Fear

      The greatest Enjoyment: Work

      The greatest Calamity: Hopelessness

      The greatest Courage: Patience

      The greatest Teacher: Experience

      The greatest Secret: Death

      The greatest Honor: Faith

      The greatest Profit: A Noble Child

      The greatest Gift: Forgiveness

      The greatest Investment: Confidence

      —Ali, cousin of Prophet Mohammad

      Introduction

      O, dervish! Know for sure that we are travelers and certainly we pass the time hour by hour. If there is wealth, it will pass, and if there is affliction, it will pass. If you have wealth, do not put your trust in it because it is unclear what will happen in the next hour.

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