Sufism in the Secret History of Persia by Milad Milani

Sufism in the Secret History of Persia by Milad Milani

Sufism formed one of the cultures of resistance which has existed in the social fabric of Persia since antiquity. Such resistance continues to manifest itself today with many looking to Sufism as a model of cooperation between East and West, between traditional and modern. 'Sufism in the Secret History of Persia' explores the place of Sufi mysticism in Iran's intellectual and spiritual consciousness through traditional and contemporary Sufi thinkers and writers. Sufism in the Secret History of Persia examines the current of spirituality which extends from the old Iranian worship of Mithra to modern Islam. This current always contains elements of gnosis and inner knowing, but has often provided impetus for socio-political resistance. The study describes how these persisting pre-Islamic cultural and socio-religious elements have secretly challenged Muslim orthodoxies and continue to shape the nature and orientation of contemporary Sufism.

This book shows the vital importance of Iran in the formation of Islamic cultureIt was Central Asian Iranians who changed Islam from an Arab religion into a world universal faith. And it was Iran which introduced Sufism into Islam, shaping the gnostic character of the religion. Sufism in the Secret History of Persia [in italics] illuminates Iranian Islamic civilisation and reveals the influence of Zoroastrianism and Mithraism on Sufi beliefs.

Richard N. Frye, Harvard University, USA

Overall, this book makes an important contribution to the academic literature on the aspect of Sufism in Persian history. It provides much food for thought, offers new thinking on old issues in research, sometimes philosophical in nature, and challenges previous academic views. Sufism in the Secret History of Persia is indispensable for anyone who takes an interest in this field and immensely useful for anyone who wishes better to understand the mysticism of Persia.

Haggai Mazuz, Annemarie Schimmel Kolleg, Bonn

Milad Milani is Lecturer at the University of Sydney and the University of Western Sydney, Australia. He is Adjunct Fellow with the Religion and Society Research Centre, University of Western Sydney.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781844656776
ISBN 10	1844656772
Title	Sufism in the Secret History of Persia
Author	Milad Milani
Series	Gnostica
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Taylor & Francis Ltd
Year published	2013-06-30
Number of pages	256
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.