Tag Archive for: Mohammed Rustom

‘AYN AL-QUDAT’S QUR’ANIC VISION From black words to white parchment* – Mohammed Rustom

Abstract:

“‘Ayn al-QuঌƗt HamadƗnƯ (d. 1131) was a mystic, philosopher, theologian, and judge who was born in the western Iranian city of Hamadan. He was the student of Aতmad al-GhazƗlƯ (d. 1126),1 the brother of Abnj ণƗmid al-GhazƗlƯ (d. 1111), and is best known as a maverick-like figure who was put to death by the Seljuq government at the tender age of 34, ostensibly on charges of “heresy”.2 Looking beyond the causes surrounding his state-sponsored execution and to his writings, ‘Ayn al-QuঌƗt emerges as a first-rate thinker who was thoroughly con- versant in the Islamic intellectual sciences, along with Arabic and Persian poetry. One of ‘Ayn al-QuঌƗt’s greatest achievements was the original manner in which he tied the seemingly”

‘Ayn Al-Qudat’s Qur’anic Vision (Routledge Handbook On Sufism) (1)Download

Knowledge in Later Islamic Philosophy: Mullā Sadrā on Existence, Intellect, and Intuition – Ibrahim Kalin

Abstract:

“Ibrahim Kalin’s Knowledge in Later Islamic Philosophy is an investigation into the epis- temology of the famous Safavid philosopher Mullā Sadrā Shīrāzī (d. 1640). Such a study is an event in itself, owing to the fact that although there are some twenty books on various aspects of Sadrā’s thought in European languages, this wide- ranging dimension of his philosophy has not received the attention it rightly deserves. Kalin approaches Sadrā’s theory of knowledge through a detailed analysis of his treat- ment of a particular issue in the history of philosophy, namely the problem dealing“

Review Of Kalin, Knowledge In Later Islamic Philosophy (IS 45.3, 2012)Download

An Anthology of Philosophy in Persia 4

Abstract:

“The series “An Anthology of Philosophy in Persia” is a massive multi-volume project that seeks to give coverage to Persia’s rich philosophical heritage, from its pre-Islamic past down to the end of the nineteenth century CE. Etymologically, the word “anthology” refers to a “gathering” or “selection” of flowers. The Persian sensibility to flora notwithstanding, it therefore makes perfect sense that the editors – both eminent scholars of Islamic philosophy – would choose such a format, which allows for the broadest possible presentation of a diverse range of materials. Indeed, when the fifth and final volume is published, the full series will present over“

Review Of Nasr And Aminrazavi (eds.), An Anthology Of Philosophy In Persia 4 (ICMR 25.2, 2014)Download

Devil’s Advocate: ʿAyn al-Quḍāt’s Defence of Iblis in Context – Mohammed Rustom

Abstract:

“The writings of ʿAyn al-Quḍāt Hamadānī (d. 525/1131) anticipate some of the major trends that characterize the post-Avicennan ḥikmat tradition. But modern scholarship has as of yet not completely come to grips with the far-reaching implications of ʿAyn al-Quḍāt’s teachings, many of which are framed in terms of the symbolic language and imagery of the Persian Sufi school of passionate love (madhhab-i ʿishq) and the defence of the devil’s monotheism (tawḥīd-i Iblīs). The focus in this article will be upon this lat- ter aspect of ʿAyn al-Quḍāt’s Sufi doctrine. Upon closer inspection, his “Satanology” (for lack of a better term) turns out to not only be concerned with a defence of the devil as a tragic, fallen lover of God; it is also intimately related to our author’s robust theodicy, as well as his theory of human freedom and constraint. At the same time, ʿAyn al-Quḍāt’s defence of Iblis demonstrates his understanding of philosophical and theological discourse as themselves symbolic representations of another, higher form of being and knowing.“

Devil’s Advocate (SI 115.1, 2020)Download

Some Pointers and Reminders in Islamic Studies – Mohammed Rustom

Abstract:

“Below are pointers and reminders (in no particular order) on how to go about navigating one’s way through the various stages of academic
life in Islamic Studies. This document is intended for those who are training to be in, or are already in, the profession. Although in my own words,
many of the items listed below are rephrased from counsel given by teachers and friends over the years.“

Some Pointers And Reminders In Islamic Studies (AJIS 37.1-2, 2020)Download

The Ocean of Nonexistence – Mohammed Rustom

Abstract:

In this article, I would like to offer some remarks on what Rumi has to say about love. What, in other words, is it? From his perspective,inquiring into the nature of love can only give one partial answers,since the very inquiry into what love is entails a partial question. The easiest way for Rumi to explain what love is, is by saying that we will know what it is when we get there. Consider these lines:

The_Ocean_of_NonexistenceDownload

Everything Muhammad: The Image of the Prophet in the Writings of ‘Ayn al-Qudat – Mohammed Rustom

Abstract:

It is well-known that Rumi (d. 1273) was a great lover of the Prophet Muhammad. This is best typified in such verses as the ones with which the present article begins. Given our knowledge of the devotion to the Prophet that we find in Rumi’s writings and in the works of many other Sufi authors, I would here like to discuss the views of another major devotee of the Prophet. His name was Abu’l Ma‘ali ‘Abd Allah al-Miyanji,and is most commonly known as ‘Ayn al-Qudat Hamadani……

Everything_Muhammad_The_Image_of_the_ProDownload

The End of Islamic Philosophy – Mohammed Rustom

Abstract:

Islamic traditional teachings are couched in a language which is not easily understood by many contemporary men, especially those with a modern education. The old treatises were usually written in a syllogistic language which is no longer prevalent today. What must be done is to disengage the content of Islamic philosophy from the language which is now not well received and to present it in terms more conformable to the intellectual horizon of our contemporaries. What is needed essentially is a re-presentation of the whole body of Islamic wisdom in a contemporary language. Thus those who seek for various problems the solution offered by this form of wisdom will find it without the barrier of unfamiliar language or thought structure…..

The_End_of_Islamic_PhilosophyDownload

Ayn al-Quḍāt between Divine Jealousy and Political Intrigue – Mohammed Rustom

Abstract:

Modern scholars have been interested in the great Persian Sufi martyr ʿAyn al-Quḍāt Hamadānī (d. 525/1131) for over six decades. Despite this fact, many aspects of his life and thought still remain terra incognita. Our knowledge of the circumstances surrounding his death is a case-in-point. Although we have a fairly good understanding ofthe factors which led to ʿAyn al-Quḍāt’s demise, there are other “causes” which simultaneously complement and problematize this understanding. Chief amongst these are the underlying reasons for ʿAyn al-Quḍāt’s critique of the Seljuk government, as well as something which ʿAyn al-Quḍāt saw as a more subtle cause for his death several years before his anticipated state execution.….

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The Door Of Mercy Kenan Rifai And Sufism Today

Actionless Action
Mohammed Rustom

It has indeed been a blessing to sit with the great Kenan Rifai’s com­
mentary upon book one of Mevlana’s Mesnevi Spending time with this
book naturally led me to Kenan Rifai’s explanation of a famous tale in
the centered around ‘Ali b. Abi Talib. The tale is retold from………
(link below)

Actionless Action (Door Of Mercy, 2017)

APPROACHES TO PROXIMITY AND DISTANCE IN EARLY SUFISM – Mohammed Rustom

Abstract:

“There is a famous tradition in Islam in which an unknown man, fully clad in white and evincing no signs of travel, approaches the Prophet Muhammad and begins to ask him several questions. Prior to his last question,  which has to do with eschatology, the man asks the Prophet to define three  terms: Islam, Iman, ihsan, meaning “submission,” “faith,” and “doing what is beautiful” respectively. The Prophet tells his interlocutor that”

APPROACHES TO PROXIMITY AND DISTANCE IN EARLY SUFISMDownload