Three Early Sufi Texts: A Treatise on the Heart

Recently updated and expanded, this collection of early Sufi writings, drawn from northeastern Iran, elucidates the beliefs of a small circle of disciples called the People of Blame. Of interest to modern scholars for the contrasting beliefs of this sect with later Sufi practices, the works?as well as the larger philosophical tenants of the People of Blame?forbid individualism while espousing the acceptance of blame as the key to obtaining intimate knowledge of God. Other topics discussed by these early authors include the role of Sharia laws and the embrace of poverty among the People of Blame.

Recently updated and expanded, this collection of scholarly translations of early Sufi writings, drawn from northeastern Iran, elucidates the beliefs of a small circle of disciples called the People of Blame. Of interest to modern scholars for the contrasting beliefs of this sect with later Sufi practices, the works?as well as the larger philosophical tenants of the People of Blame?forbid individualism while espousing the acceptance of blame as the key to obtaining intimate knowledge of God. Other topics discussed by these early authors include the role of Sharia laws and the embrace of poverty among the People of Blame.

al-Hakim al-Tirmidhi was an 11th-century Sufi master. Nicholas Heer is the translator of The Precious Pearl. Abu 'Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami al-Naysaburi was an 11th-century Sufi master. Kenneth L. Honerkamp is a professor of religion at the University of Georgia and the editor and translator of several other books on Abu ?Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami al-Naysaburi.