This book is the only comprehensive study in a European language that analyzes how Sufi treatises; Qur’anic commentary; letters; hagiography; and poetry define and depict jihad. Harry S. Neale analyzes Sufi jihad discourse in Arabic and Persian texts composed between the eleventh and seventeenth centuries; providing access to many writings that have hitherto been unavailable in English. Despite the diversity of practice within Sufism that existed throughout the premodern period; Sufi writings consistently promulgated a complementary understanding of jihad as both a spiritual and military endeavor. Neale discusses the disparity between contemporary academic Sufi jihad discourse in European languages; which generally presents Sufis as peaceful mystics; and contemporary academic writing in Arabic that depicts Sufis as exemplary warriors who combine spiritual discipline with martial zeal. The book concludes that historically; Sufi writings never espoused a purely spiritual interpretation of the doctrine of jihad.
#8210102 in Books 2011-02-17 8.00 x 1.27 x 5.00l; #File Name: 1131135245508 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent history bookBy marycThis book was a little hard to read in the beginning due to the footnotes being throughout the text. Once a pattern was established; the book was much easier to follow. The author gives a lot of pertinent facts related to the actual settlement of Virginia. This is a history book; it is not much use as a geneaolgical reference. Only the names of the main characters who "inherited" or were "posted" as officials are cited. He avoids the slavery issue completely. I enjoyed this book because it is not "sugar coated". It was written in the mid 1800s. I would highly recommend this book to all. It gave me deeper understanding as to what my ancestors who came to Virginia had to endure from the "officials" as the territory grew. The lack of 5 stars is only due to the difficulty in following the manuscript with the footnotes within the text. This text follows the state from the earliest times through the French and Indian War.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. InterestingBy Frederick G. WiddowsonI recommend this book heartily. Its very good although its not very balanced. The writer is definitely using a number of sources and the information is very good; leading to more sources.
