Syllabus for Independent Study on

ISLAMIC PHILOSOPHY, THEOLOGY AND MYSTICISM.

METHODOLOGY

Read introductory texts on Kalam and Falsafa as well as Sufism. Read selection of Sufi literature. Evaluate learning by producing a paper and an annotated bibliography.

OBJECTIVES

Reflection and explore key concepts in Islamic philosophy and mysticism in order to develop the self and societies.

ISLAMIC PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY

Basic Dimensions of Islamic Theology

Kalam and Falsafa

Objects of Islamic Theology

MAJOR THINKERS

al-Kindi (Alkindus) (d. 866)

Al-Farabi Site  (870-950) 

Ibn Sina (Avicenna) (980-1037)

Ibn Hazm (994-1063)

Al-Ghazali (1058-1111)

Shahrastani (1087-1153) 

Ibn Tufayl (1110-1185)

Ibn Rushd (Averroes) (1126-1198)

Fakhraddin al-Razi (1149-1209)

Ibn Taymiyah (1263-1328)

Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406)

Mulla Sadra (c. 1571–1640)

SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT

Mu'tazili school

Ash'ari school

Avicennism

Averroism

Illuminationist school

Transcendent school

ISLAMIC PHILOSOPHY

Greek Influences: Neoplatonism and Aristotelism

Epistemology

Metaphysics

Ontology

Logic

Socio-Political Thought

Jurisprudence  - Usul Al-fiqh

Taqlid (imitation)

Ijtihad (critical interpretation)

Madh'hab (school of law)

Minhaj (method)

Qiyas (analogical reasoning)

Urf (society custom)

Ijma (consensus)

Bid‘ah (innovation)

Ijazah (authorisation)

Istihlal (permissibility)

Istihsan (discretion)

Risalah (dissertation)

Influence of Islamic Philosophy on Jewish and Christian Thought: Maimonides, Christian Scholasticism

Islamic Thought and Mysticism

The End of the Golden Age

ISLAMIC MYSTICISM: SUFISM

INTRODUCTION

Mystical elements in the Qur'an

Origins of Sufism

1)       Ascetic pietism of desert arab

Poetic Expression

Al Ghifari, Hasan Al Basri, Abdul Aziz, Rabia (mahabbah)

2)       Gnosis

Dualism: light/darkness; Spirit/Matter;

Muhasibi, Dhul Nun

3)       Body mortification

Spiritual emphasis

Anti-worldliness

Ibn Al Adham, Shaqiq of Balkh, Hitam Al-ASam, Al Bistami (rejection of haram/halal)

4)       Synthesis: Junayd Baghdadi

Al-Ghazali

Ibn Arabi

Jami

Rumi

Other Prominent Sufi

Al-Hallaj

Al-Makki

Al-Sarraj

Isbahani

Al-Jilani

Moinuddin Chishti

Baba Farid

Bhittai

Substance and Process Theories of the Self in Islamic Mysticism

Reception of Sufi by other Muslims

Zaehner's Theistic Theory of Mysticism

SUFI  WORLDVIEW

Metaphysics

Wahdat-ul-Wujood (Unity of Being)

Wahdat-ul-Shuhud (Apparentism, or Unity of Witness)

Psychology

 Nafs (the ego), Qalb (the heart)  Ruh (the soul)

 Lataif-e-sitta

Subtle bodies

Ruh (soul)

Nasma (subtle body / Astral Body)

Physical body

Spiritual states of Consciousness

Haal

Manzil

Maqaam

Concepts in Gnosis

Fanaa -  Extinction of self

Baqaa - Permanece with the Divine

Yaqeen –Certainty

 Other concepts

Haqiqa supreme Truth or absolute Reality.

Marifa - Knowledge

Ihsan - Perfection

TARIQA

Shaikh

Faqirs

Mystical practices

Dhikr

Sana

Chanting of divine phrases

Breath control

Communal recitations

Ecstatic dancing

Orders

Ashrafi

Bektashi

Chishti

Jerrahi

Mevlevi

Mur?diyya

Naqshbandi

Nimatullahi,

Oveyssi

Qadri

Qadri Al-Muntahi 

Rifa'i

Shadhili

Suhrawardi

Tijaniyyah

SUFI  EXPRESSIONS

Literature

Genre: Discipline Manuals, Tales, Poetry, Treatises

Language: Persian and Arabic

Alchemy of Happiness

Bezels of Wisdom

Conference of the Birds

Divan-i-shams

Journey to the Lord of Power

Masnavi

Meccan Revelations

Reconstruction of Religious Sciences

The Rose Garden

Music and Dance

REFERENCES

·         Ernst, Carl.Teachings of Sufism.Boston: Shambhala Publications, 1999.

·         Leaman,Oliver. An Introduction to Classical Islamic Philosophy. Cambridge University Press, 2001.

·         Majid Fakhry. A History of Islamic Philosophy.New York: Columbia University Press, 1970.

·         Majid Fakhry. Short Introduction to Islamic Philosophy, Theology and Mysticism. Oxford: Oneworld Press, 1997

·         Nicholson, Reynold A. The Mystics of Islam. London, 1914.

·         R. Martin, M. Woodward, D. Atmaja, Defenders of Reason in Islam. Oxford: Oneworld Publications

·         Schimmel, Annemarie Mystical Dimensions of Islam. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 1978.

·         Sells, Michael. Early Islamic Mysticism: Sufi, Qur’an, Mi’raj, Poetic and Theological Writings. The Classics of Western Spirituality.  New York: Paulist Press, 1996.

·         Trimingham, Spencer J. The Sufi Orders in Islam. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1971.

·         Zaehner, R.C. Hindu and Muslim Mysticism. London: Athlone Press, 1960

http://www.muslimphilosophy.com/