Our list of some of the best Sufism books & series in recent years. Get inspired by one or more of the following books.
1. Essential Sufism (1999)
The definitive compendium of Sufi wisdom, ‘Essential Sufism’ draws together more than three hundred fables, poems and prayers that reveal the luminous spirit of Islamic mysticism. Embracing all eras and highlighting the many faces of Sufism, this colle…
2. The Garden of Truth: The Vision and Promise of Sufism, Islam’s Mystical Tradition (2008)
The headlines are filled with the politics of Islam, but there is another side to the world’s fastest-growing religion. Sufism is the poetry and mysticism of Islam. This mystical movement from the early ninth century rejects worship motivated by the desire for heavenly reward or the fear of punishment, insisting rather on the love of God as the only valid form of adoration. Sufism has made significant contributions to Islamic civilization in music and philosophy, dance and literature. The Sufi poet Rumi is the bestselling poet in America. But in recent centuries Sufism has been a target for some extremist Islamic…
3. The Sufi Book of Life: 99 Pathways of the Heart for the Modern Dervish (2005)
Part meditation book, part oracle, and part collection of Sufi lore, poetry, and stories, offers a fresh interpretation of the fundamental spiritual practice found in all ancient and modern Sufi schools—the meditations on the 99 Qualities of Unity. Unlike most books on Sufism, which are primarily collections of translated Sufi texts, this accessible guide is a handbook that explains how to apply Sufi principles to modern life. With inspirational commentary that connects each quality with contemporary concerns such as love, work, and success, as well as timeless…
4. Sufism: The Transformation of the Heart (1995)
Sufism, the Transformation of the Heart gives a clear and accessible outline of Sufism: its basic principles, historical background, and recent development in the West. While exploring the spiritual and psychological processes of transformation, this book offers practical guidelines to help the seeker. Sufism, the Transformation of the Heart is a valuable introduction to a dynamic spiritual path that is attracting growing interest in the West….
5. Sufism and Taoism: A Comparative Study of Key Philosophical Concepts (2016)
In this deeply learned work, Toshihiko Izutsu compares the metaphysical and mystical thought-systems of Sufism and Taoism and discovers that, although historically unrelated, the two share features and patterns which prove fruitful for a transhistorical dialogue. His original and suggestive approach opens new doors in the study of comparative philosophy and mysticism.Izutsu begins with Ibn ‘Arabi, analyzing and isolating the major ontological concepts of this most challenging of Islamic thinkers. Then, in the second part of the book, Izutsu turns his attention to…
6. Al-Ghazali’s Path to Sufism: His Deliverance from Error (al-Munqidh min al-Dalal) (2000)
This text has long been recognized as not only an Islamic classic, but also as a great spiritual autobiography of one of the world’s greatest religious thinkers. It is the narrative of how one dedicated seeker of true knowledge and salvation, having probed various systems of thought and differing paths of learning and enlightenment, discovered the peace of the inner life and discipline of mystical spirituality….
7. The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself (2007)
What would it be like to free yourself from limitations and soar beyond your boundaries? What can you do each day to discover inner peace and serenity? The Untethered Soul offers simple yet profound answers to these questions.Whether this is your first exploration of inner space or you’ve devoted your life to the inward journey, this book will transform your relationship with yourself and the world around you. You’ll discover what you can do to put an end to the habitual thoughts and emotions that limit your consciousness. By tapping…
8. Women of Sufism: A Hidden Treasure (2003)
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, from the time of the Prophet Muhammad to the present day, the selections are by or about an array of…
9. Sufism: An Introduction to the Mystical Tradition of Islam (2011)
The Sufis are as diverse as the countries in which they’ve flourished—from Morocco to India to China—and as varied as their distinctive forms of art, music, poetry, and dance. They are said to represent the mystical heart of Islam, yet the term Sufism is notoriously difficult to define, as it means different things to different people both within and outside the tradition. With that fact in mind, Carl Ernst explores the broadest range of Sufi philosophies and practices to provide one of the most complete and comprehensive introductions to Sufism available in English. He traces the history of the movement from the…
10. Grand Masters of Sufism: Abdul Qadir Geylani, Secret of Secrets and Ahmed er Rifai, Guidance to Mysticism (2008)
Grand Masters of Sufism brings together in one volume two paramount texts from two of the most influential shaykhs in the history of Sufism. Abdul Qadir Geylani’s Secret of Secrets and Ahmed er Rifai’s Guidance to Mysticism present key concepts of the Sufi path in profound detail and can each stand alone as a work of unparalleled authority. Together, they comprise a veritable textbook for students of Sufism and all who would seek a deeper understanding of the mysteries of spiritual life.In this first English translation of Guidance to Mysticism, Shaykh Taner Ansari provides rich commentary that preserves the original text, while at the…
11. Sufism: A Beginner’s Guide (2007)
William C. Chittick, the leading scholar in the field, offers a compelling insight into the origins, context, and key themes of this fascinating movement. After a general overview of the tradition, he draws upon the words of some of the greatest Sufi writers – among them Ibn Arabi, Baha Walad and Rumi himself – to give a fresh and revealing perspective on the teachings and beliefs of Sufism and its proponents. Covering everything from the history and growth of Sufism to its place in the modern world, this sympathetic book will be appreciated by anyone interested in Sufism, from complete beginners to students,…
12. The Principles of Sufism (Library of Arabic Literature) (2016)
‘A’ishah al-Ba’uniyyah of Damascus was one of the great women scholars in Islamic history. Born into a prominent family of pious scholars and Sufi devotees, ‘A’ishah received a thorough religious education and memorized the Quran at age eight. A mystic and a prolific poet and writer, she composed more works in Arabic than any other woman before the 20th century. Yet despite her extraordinary literary and religious achievements, ‘A’ishah al-Ba’uniyyah remains largely unknown. For the first time, her key work, The Principles of Sufism, is available in English translation. The Principles of Sufism is a mystical…
13. The Heart of Sufism: Essential Writings of Hazrat Inayat Khan (1999)
The Indian Sufi master Hazrat Inayat Khan (1882-1927) was the very first teacher to bring Sufism to the Western world. This is the first representative collection of the master’s teachings – making it the perfect book for anyone who has been intrigued by his writings but unsure about where to start in his sixteen-volume collected works. Newcomers will be inspired by just how delightful and useful Inayat Khan’s teachings are for everyone, regardless of religious background. Long-time students will find the book a valuable reference to the essence of his teachings on a variety of subjects. Each…
Best Sufism Books Worth Your Attention
We highly recommend you to buy all paper or e-books in a legal way, for example, on Amazon. But sometimes it might be a need to dig deeper beyond the shiny book cover. Before making a purchase, you can visit resources like Genesis and download some sufism books mentioned below at your own risk. Once again, we do not host any illegal or copyrighted files, but simply give our visitors a choice and hope they will make a wise decision.
A Genealogy of Devotion: Bhakti, Tantra, Yoga, and Sufism in North India
Author(s): Patton Burchett
Publisher: Columbia University Press, Year: 2019, Size: 37 Mb, Download: epub
ID: 2400334
Witness to Marvels: Sufism and Literary Imagination
Author(s): Tony K. Stewart
Publisher: University of California Press, Year: 2019, Size: 7 Mb, Download: pdf
ID: 2404852
Sufism in Central Asia: New Perspectives on Sufi Traditions, 15th-21st Centuries
Author(s): Devin A. Deweese; Jo-Ann Gross
Publisher: Brill, Year: 2018, Size: 5 Mb, Download: pdf
ID: 2332339
Sacred Spaces and Transnational Networks in American Sufism: Bawa Muhaiyaddeen and Contemporary Shrine Cultures
Author(s): Merin Shobhana Xavier
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic, Year: 2018, Size: 21 Mb, Download: pdf
ID: 2432458
Subjectivity in ʿAṭṭār, Persian Sufism, and European Mysticism
Author(s): Claudia Yaghoobi
Publisher: Purdue University Press, Year: 2017, Size: 4 Mb, Download: pdf
ID: 2266647
Making Moderate Islam: Sufism, Service, and the "Ground Zero Mosque" Controversy
Author(s): Rosemary R. Corbett
Publisher: Stanford University Press, Year: 2017, Size: 7 Mb, Download: pdf
ID: 2294294
Sufism: A New History of Islamic Mysticism
Author(s): Alexander Knysh
Publisher: Princeton University Press, Year: 2017, Size: 7 Mb, Download: epub
ID: 2412106
Western Sufism: From the Abbasids to the New Age
Author(s): Mark Sedgwick
Publisher: Oxford University Press, Year: 2016, Size: 3 Mb, Download: pdf
ID: 1624055
Sponsoring Sufism: How Governments Promote "Mystical Islam" in their Domestic and Foreign Policies
Author(s): Fait Muedini
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan, Year: 2015, Size: 1 Mb, Download: pdf
ID: 1437149
Sponsoring Sufism: How Governments Promote “Mystical Islam” in Their Domestic and Foreign Policies
Author(s): Fait Muedini
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan US, Year: 2015, Size: 2 Mb, Download: pdf
ID: 1482033
Please note that this booklist is not absolute. Some books are really best-sellers according to Washington Post, others are drafted by unknown authors. On top of that, you can always find additional tutorials and courses on Coursera, Udemy or edX, for example. Are there any other relevant books you could recommend? Leave a comment if you have any feedback on the list.