Sufi Symbolism VI

Every night spent without you,

I am like a candle between fire and water;

Look at my destitution to see how I have sunk in depuration.

-- Attar

Sufi Symbolism-Volume Six Cover

Dr. Javad Nurbakhsh

Translated under the supervision
of Dr. Javad Nurbakhsh by Terry
Graham in collaboration with
Neal and Sima Johnston

ISBN 0-933546-48-3

Contents

Titles and Epithets

This volume concentrates on the spiritual epithets, adjectives of description and names used by the Sufis among themselves. The technical terms defined address the mystical anthropology, esoteric hierarchy and spiritual degrees of the Sufi mystics. As in other volumes of this encyclopedia the texts derive from the classical period, utilizing the writings of Rumi, Attar, Sanai, Ruzbihan and others among the masters.
The general reader will be fascinated by the breadth and wealth of terms and titles, drawn from both the secular poetic tradition and scholastic religious theology, which the Sufis employed among themselves. Students of the field of Islamic esotericism will also be presented with a great deal of material from important classical texts translated into English for the first time.