Mystical Dimensions of Islam Paperback – Special Edition, August 8, 2011

Schimmel's book is a beautiful, respectful, and scholarly study of Sufism, and its related movements within science, mysticism, literature, poetry and state structures. It is a product of many years of insight and erudition, the fruit of dedicated research, and gives vast insight into these mystical and poetic aspects of Islamic civilisation.It is a very rewarding book. However, it is worth noting that in recent decades, these expressions within Islam are increasingly viewed as heresy, and even as non Islamic, especially since the hardening of attitudes within Islam as a result of being attacked by Western crusaders. The rapidly growing movement towards Wahhabi and Salafi ways of life and belief are putting paid to much of the expression that Schimmel describes in her book. It is accurate to say that many Salafi and Wahhabi adherents would consider much of what Schimmel describes in her research as un- Islamic, and would label it as haram and the lifestyle of the Kaffir, whilst other contemporary scholars might view it as orientalist.It is a beautiful, insightful book that Schimmel has written -- but, it is also somewhat poignant - if one is at all aware of socio political changes of the past decade, one cannot help but get the impression that the Islam she describes is no longer fully accepted in most of the Islamic world. The relentless Western attacks on Muslim society have made Islam far more austere, rigid, and wary of outside influences and free, controversial expressions of spirituality. Read Nir Rosen and Robert Fisk to learn more about the Muslim world's reaction to the savage Western attacks since the late 40's to the present time, and it will be clear why more and more Muslims are turning to an arguably more intolerant, conservative form of religious expression. Nir Rosen( a journalist of Iranian Jewish Mizrahi origin ) reports that before the American led attack on Iraq, a number of ancient religions existed and even thrived, together, in harmony. Mandeans, Shia, Sunni, Christian, and other Gnostic sects had lived side by side, with a degree of freedom and respect,that was indeed, sometimes brutally compromised but for the most part, had lasted for centuries.Schimmel's beautiful work seems to represent forms of Islamic expression that have largely decreased now, or, certainly have been put under pressure.

This is an excellent book. Definitely my favorite.I loved reading it. It is an amazing combination of significant content and beautiful English.I recommend start reading from the 3rd chapter.A friend of mine started reading and said: "Sometimes you read a book and say 'Aha!', while reading this book you go 'Aha!... Aha!...Aha!... ...'A must read for those interested in Islam and Muslim culture, and also for those who are from a Muslim background.

Best introduction to Sufism there is in the English language. Should be read together with "And Muhammad Is His Messenger: The Veneration of the Prophet in Islamic Piety", another excellent work by Annemarie Schimmel.

An excellent and in my opinion incomparable source of understanding the refined complexities of theoretical sufism in English.

Good book. Very thorough. Captures the more spiritual side as well as the historical side of this subject.

A luminous scholar with poetic sensitivity to her subject.

Still the best book on this subject.

Not that much I have been looking for les dimensions de l'I slam there are not the same

This book is essentially an introduction to Islam or rather traditional Islam and not the stripped down bare and devoid of culture Islam that is today propagated from the Gulf States. The book covers the history and development of Sufism in Islam, its leading founding members up to the establishment of the Sufi paths. There is plenty covering Sufi poetry and a chapter at the end regarding Sufism in the Indo Sub Continent (The authors main specialist field)The book is extremely well documented and like other great western scholars of Islam such as Nicholson, Browne and Gibb she is sympathetic to her subject. This is one of the best books on the subject in the English language and well worth picking up.

People generally have a stereotypical idea of Islam but this book will give you an insight into many facets of the inner working of a religion-Islam. I am not going to get into a chapter wise analysis or review here but will highly recommend it if you are a true seeker!Happy to answer any question if you just email me.

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The reason that I have given this book 4 stars instead of 5 really lies within me rather than the book. I actually found the book difficult at times because I am completely unfamiliar with the Arabic language and Arabic names. I therefore found the chains of connections and lineages of important Sufis and Sufi orders, and fine points of difference between complicated concepts that exist between Arabic words that look very similar to someone like me hard to follow. However, I did not doubt for one minute the author's breath of scholarship and I am sure that it is a comprehensive and sympathetic survey of Sufism. I did feel personally that the book is more a history of Sufism and a broad survey of its literature than an accessible introduction to the concepts of Sufism. There is obviously so much more depth and beauty to Islamic beliefs than just the five pillars and the sharia. So I would recommend it to other readers but would suggest that beginners like myself start with something else.