Grand Masters of Sufism: Abdul Qadir Geylani, Secret of Secrets and Ahmed er Rifai, Guidance to Mysticism Paperback – November 4, 2008

After a long journey from Ankara to Baghdad, which took no less than100 hours, because of floods in Syria and Iraq, I arrived in Baghdad.I had the intention to visit Sufi places and thus I asked someone towrite down the name of shaykh 'Abdul Qadir Jilani on a sheet ofpaper. I showed this paper to several people in the streets ofBaghdad, who only spoke Arabic, but by means of pointing into acertain direction still could guide me to the dargah of this "Rose ofBaghdad". I paid several visits to the dargah, but was at firstunable to establish a contact with Sufis. After walking once againaway from the dargah, suddenly it was as if I perceived the scent ofa rose. This reminded me of shaykh 'Abdul Qadir Jilani andimmediately I returned to his shrine. A man in Western clothesapproached me there and it appeared that he was a khalifah in theQadiriyya order.Shaykh 'Abdul Qadir Jilani is one of the most important Sufi shaykhsof all times. It so happens that shaykh Taner Ansari has translatedhis "Sirr-al-Asrar" into English as the "Secrets of Secrets". Headded another English translation to the same book. It is the"Guidance to Mysticism" ("Al-Burhan-ul-Mu'ayyad", lit.: ConfirmingProof) by no one less than shaykh Ahmed er Rifai. The first book hasalready appeared in an English translation but its quality was not sogood, so that a new and better translation is always a welcome event.The English translations of both books are based primarily on OttomanTurkish renderings of the original Arabic works.When looking at the contents the translations of the two books havebeen given after a short biography of shaykh 'Abdul Qadir Jilani,shaykh Ahmed er Rifai and a biography of the translator shaykh TanerAnsari. The "Secret of Secrets" gives the very essence of Sufism. TheSufi path is very clearly explained. It contains 24 chapters. Chapter21, dealing with recitations and prayers related to the path ofseclusion, has not been translated. Shaykh Taner Ansari explains thewhy thus: "Since khalwa should be engaged in under the guidance of ashaykh or shaykha who prescribes practices particular to eachstudent, the chapter will not be translated here". This attitude ofnot translating the chapter demonstrates the atiitude of someone withpractical and inside knowledge of the Sufi path, which is consideredmore important than giving a complete translation. As for the"Secrets of Secrets", you willl be able to read about subjects likeyour return to the original source, about several subtle faculties,about spiritual states and stations, about spiritual practices, aboutdreams and many other aspects of the Sufi path.The translation of "Guidance to Mysticism" was first introduced viathe Internet during weekly talks by shaykh Taner Ansari. He presentedone chapter at a time. The manner in which the shaykh gave hiscommentary varied. Sometimes he did a second reading of a chapterwith his commentary and at other times he gave his commentarythroughout a single reading. He felt that some chapters needed nocommentary and others prompted a student question-and-answer session.The translation reflects the flavour of these online sessions. So yousee the result of a modern day Sufi shaykh in his interaction withpeople of modern times, while the subject matter is a classical Sufitext. This is a way of presenting it for people living in the hereand now.The book "Grand Masters of Sufism", published by Ansari Publications([...]) arrived yesterday at my home. When opening thebook it was as if a nice rose perfume spread in the air. Some rosesgive their scent to the desert wind and remain unknown to people. Itis up to you to get acquainted or not with the perfume of theteachings of the two aforementioned grandmasters of Sufism.Siraj

Wonderful book ! Mandatory read for any sufi. I would say this book was a key to all the other sufic books I have read. Very well organized and and talks to the point that a novice, gnostic or a seeker needs to look for on the sufic path. This book is enough for a true lover and seeker. Definitely many treasures would unearth from reading, cause I learnt a lot of secrets hidden in this book. One would be in a state of awe after reading with many key questions of the path answered very well. The heart does feel at ease after you have been through this book. Your bookshelf seems rather empty without the addition of these two books in one - another fact observed is that the author has left the traditional sufi terminology intact while has elucidated the inner meanings around them with his commentaries appropriately. I felt that it definitely stands alone as a Sufi Textbook / Treatise for now.

Hard to grasp, some deep stuff. Very next level and unexpected tone from master Qadiri.

For anyone who is a student of sufism this is quite an accessible and comprehensive book. Shaykh Taner has been shepherding his pupils in this path for many years and gives a seasoned approach to this translation. The phrasing is refreshing and up-to-date.