Dr. Mostafa al-Badawi is een vooraanstaand hedendaags vertaler van islamitische boeken uit het Arabisch naar het Engels. Zijn diepgaande kennis van de islamitische traditie, verfijnd door studie bij vooraanstaande geleerden, vormt de basis van zijn literaire bijdragen. Het werk van Al-Badawi verkent thema's als de islamitische psychologie, profetische biografieën en de islamitische beschaving, waarbij hij tijdloze concepten en hun resonantie met moderne ontwikkelingen onderzoekt. Door zijn vertalingen maakt hij complexe islamitische teksten toegankelijk voor een wereldwijd publiek.
There are many books in English that present Sufi doctrine, but few that can be used as practical travel guides along the Path. Originally written in classical Arabic, this volume is in widespread use among Sufi teachers in Arabia, Indonesia, and East Africa; its devotions, prayers, and practical ethics are invaluable as a guide along the Sufi Way.
This volume answers many of the questions often asked by seekers of inward illumination. It also includes the author's commentary on a poem concerning inner wayfaring which speaks of the most exalted stations of the path and goes on to explain a number of paradoxes of the Way. These points are illustrated with references to the famous mystical poems of Ibn al-Farid and Abu Madyan.
It is now obvious that something has gone very wrong in the West, and that psychological and social alternatives have become pressing issues. In this timely book, Dr Badawi reminds us that Islam has a historically verifiable track record for healing social chaos and individual tragedy. Sadly, the principles of Islam have all too often been suppressed by the deluge of educational materials, media and socio-economic strangulation from the West. Dr Badawi provides a powerful overview of Islamic metaphysics and unearths its spiritual, social and ethical values as well as a diagnosis of modern man. This is an urgent piece of writing about what we are and where we are.
The author introduces his book by saying, "As for the introduction, we have explained in it the sum- mons to God, His religion, and His path. As for the eight sections, each concerns a certain category of people, the first category being the scholars; the second the ascetics and devotees; the third the kings, the rulers, and other people in authority; the fourth the merchants, the craftsmen, and other such people; the fifth the poor, the weak, and the destitute; the sixth the dependents such as the women, children, and slaves; the seventh the generality of believers, both the obedient among them and the transgressors; the eighth those who have not responded to the summons of God and His Messenger and do not believe in God and the Last Day. Finally, in conclusion, we give brief counsels of advice to all eight categories, in addition to general counsels and exhortations that soften the heart, the completion of which closes the book."