Women of Sufism: A Hidden Treasure
The luminous presence of women who follow the Sufi Way—the mystical path of Islam—is brought to life here through their sacred songs and poetry, their dreams and visions, and stories of their efforts as they witness the Truth in many realms. These writings reflect the honor and respect for the feminine in the Sufi worldview, and they are shared in the spirit of inspiration and hope for the flourishing contributions of women to the spiritual development of humanity.\ Spanning the centuries,...
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This anthology presents writings and stories by female Sufi poets, scholars, and saints from all areas of the world and spanning the time of the Prophet Muhammad to the present. An independent scholar and herself a follower of the Sufi path, Helminski discusses the contributions of women to the Sufi tradition in the introduction. The volume is not indexed. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR Publishers Weekly Helminski was the first woman to publish an English translation of the Qur'an and has built a career out of reprinting classic Sufi materials. This collection of primary sources casts a spotlight on the roles women have played in Sufi history: because Sufism sheds hierarchical and social distinctions in favor of a total consummation with the Beloved (Allah), women have always held an important position, says Helminski. The collection opens with early writings about Sufi women, most of which were written by men, and some of which have only recently been made available in English. Here we learn of Rabi'a al-'Adawiyya, an eighth-century saint about whom many legends were composed, and the ninth-century healer Lady Nafisa, who was renowned for her Qur'anic knowledge and whose tomb is still a sacred destination for spiritual pilgrims of many religious traditions. Helminski goes on to offer writings by and about Sufi women up to the present day, including poetry (Rumi has some competition!), folklore, prayers, songs and journal entries. Helminski does a fine job of introducing each subject, placing each shaykha (female teacher) in her historical context and explaining why she should be remembered. Some of the contemporary women are particularly interesting, such as Russian-born Sufi author Irina Tweedie, who describes her gradual path toward Sufism. This collection of women's voices is a rich and varied resource for understanding women of "The Way." (Feb.) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.
PrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: Women and SufismIn the Heart of the Prophet1Khadija5Fatima8'A'isha13Early Sufi Women19A Doorkeeper of the Heart25Poems and Stories of Rabi'a30Sufi Women of Syria35Halima of Damascus35Rabi'a bint Ismail35Lubaba al-Muta 'Abbida36Fatima of Damascus37Those Who Weep38Tears of Devotion40The Enraptured Ones44Dhakkara44Fatima al-Barda'iyya45Sufi Women of Nishapur46'A'isha46Fatima47Futayma48Al-Wahatiyya49Going Home51A Maiden of the DesertSufi Sisters53Zubda and Mudgha: Essence and Embryo53'Abda and Amina: Servant And Faith54Be There for God, Today55'Unayza of BaghdadA Jewel of Knowledge56Waters of Blessing56Hidden Ways60Dream Lessons61The Unfolding Universe73Toward the Heart89The Path of Sufism90My Soul Is a Woman98Women in Mystical Islam99Women in the Life of Ibn al-'Arabi109Sublime Companions110Wherever You Turn, There Is the Face of God115Mevlevi Women117A Princess of Piety128Confidant of Spirits129The Wine of Love133Our Intoxicating Beloved135The Night of Power135From a Qadiri Heart of Nigeria137Sufi Women140Lamentation for Aisha I145So Verily ...146Yashrutis of Palestine148Journey to Reality150The Light of Womanhood153A Woman of Valor155Serving Peace160Reflections on Retreat161A Window into Forty Days169In the Lion's Presence170Zhikr174The Way of the Soul177Soul Bridges180The Soul as Virgin Mother183Mother Love186The First Goal of Sufi Mothers187First Lessons of Love188Etheric Body Massage190The Fragrance of Prayer192Fresh Jasmine193An Essential Language196Real Love Means Surrender197The Soul's Longing199Mother of Compassion215Songs of Praise and Supplication: The Munshidin of Egypt222O Allah!226Musical Remembrance: Sufi Women of Fez229In Praise of the Prophet231Inner Vision233Vision of the Truth by Meeting of the Sun and Moon234Principles of Sufism244Patience (Sabr)246A Child of the Moment254Purifying the Heart257Essential Zhikr for a New Murid259A Daughter of Fire264Yearning for Truth265Bektashi Breaths280Unfolding Light282I Rubbed My Face upon Your Feet282Today, I Reached My Pir283A Rose Garden of Love285You Have to Love People285Let Us Ask Permission of the Mature Ones296Erler Demine297Sharing the Treasure299Awakening300Bibliography304
\ Publishers WeeklyHelminski was the first woman to publish an English translation of the Qur'an and has built a career out of reprinting classic Sufi materials. This collection of primary sources casts a spotlight on the roles women have played in Sufi history: because Sufism sheds hierarchical and social distinctions in favor of a total consummation with the Beloved (Allah), women have always held an important position, says Helminski. The collection opens with early writings about Sufi women, most of which were written by men, and some of which have only recently been made available in English. Here we learn of Rabi'a al-'Adawiyya, an eighth-century saint about whom many legends were composed, and the ninth-century healer Lady Nafisa, who was renowned for her Qur'anic knowledge and whose tomb is still a sacred destination for spiritual pilgrims of many religious traditions. Helminski goes on to offer writings by and about Sufi women up to the present day, including poetry (Rumi has some competition!), folklore, prayers, songs and journal entries. Helminski does a fine job of introducing each subject, placing each shaykha (female teacher) in her historical context and explaining why she should be remembered. Some of the contemporary women are particularly interesting, such as Russian-born Sufi author Irina Tweedie, who describes her gradual path toward Sufism. This collection of women's voices is a rich and varied resource for understanding women of "The Way." (Feb.) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.\ \ \ \ \ Library JournalWith this selection of writings from different women and places throughout Islamic history, Helminski-cofounder and codirector of the Threshold Society, a Sufi organization-offers a history of women in Sufism, Islam's mysticism. Chapters are arranged by time and region, spanning from the time of Muhammad (the seventh century) to the present and including poems, journals, scholarly essays, and more. In her introduction, Helminski describes contemporary women's involvement with Sufism as it developed from the early centuries of Islam. Throughout the stories and experiences gathered here, readers learn about women's place and voice in the Sufi experience, showing their participation in a long line of traditions, teachers, and study. More personal than analytical, this book is appropriate for readers interested in women's religious experiences and for those wishing to learn about this mystical tradition, whose customs few are familiar with. For larger public and academic libraries.-Naomi Hafter, Baltimore Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.\ \
