Sankar Dutta

The expression in the book is lucid, crystal clear, spontaneous and well defined. The author needs to be congratulated for his stupendous effort in producing this book. The book is a must read for all those interested in subject of Sufism and for all libraries, research scholars and Sufi centers.

The book can be had from the author by sending DD or eMO to the author at 678, Marshall House, 25, Strand Road Kolkata-70 0001.
S.L.Peeran

                                                                                                   Editor Sufi World                                                                                                                          Benguluru

This Review is published Literary Journal

‘SUFI WORLD’ – Book No. 66

May – August 2017

This book has been reviewed by SUFI WORLD Book No.66 published from Benguluru

SUFISM by R M CHOPRA published by Anuradha Prakasha 1193, Pankha Road Nangal Raya Adj. D2A, Janak Puri New Delhi 110046; 2016,438 pages, Rs 799/- (paper back) Rs 999/-(hard bound)

This latest book by an octogenarian scholar, author of a dozen books, is an outstanding work. The author is MA in Islamic history and culture with additional qualification of law. He has carried the Sufi background and culture from his parents and inspired by the mystical sayings of Meher Baba. He has studied intensely Sufi literature besides about the life and works of great Sufi poets of Punjab, about Sikhism and Hinduism. The author has served as top executive in foreign based Indian companies. Later he setup his own business and has been carrying social work being District Governor of Lions Club. He has widely travelled with love for literature and fondness for literary activities.

The book under review has main five sections besides giving introduction to the subject in question. Each section is well categorized taking the reader through the origin, growth eclipse and resurgence of Sufism.

The section-I pertains to the origin of Sufism. The author has dealt with (a) Early ascetics and thinkers of Sufism (b) Early theorist of Sufism (c) Early books on Sufism.

Section-2 is about Growth and development of Sufism and deals with (a) Phases (b) the ideals of Sufis (c) Sufi ideologies (d) The Sufi orders.

Section-3 pertains to spread of Sufism (a) Sufism in Iran (b) Sufism in Egypt, Morocco and in the Maqhrib (c) Sufism in Spain (d) Sufism in the Indian Continent.

Section-4 is about decay and eclipse of Sufism.
Section-5 deals about Resurgence of Sufism.

In the introductory chapter the author mentions that he tried to0 find a compendium which would provide him a comprehensive knowledge about the origin, growth and development and about the spread of Sufism but he could not find a book which he desired. Therefore, he had to delve deep in the subject scanning the entire literature to produce this book. This is a tiresome job, which the author has -2-

Accomplished with tremendous efforts. The readers are provided with references at the end of each chapter. The author has also provided a long list of bibliography at the end of the book.

The reader finds enough material in the book to understand the basics of the subject in question.

Each section of the book has been meticulously prepared and well documented. Section-I provides brief biography of early ascetics and thinkers of mysticism originating from Hasan Al-Basri (642-728 AD), Ahmed B Hanbal (780-855 AD) upto Ibn Khafif of Shiraz (d.982). Early books on Sufism from tenth century has also been discussed.

Section -2 deals in detail about the Growth and development of Sufism from period of Quietists; metaphysical and philosophical phase which refers to the influence of Vedanta and Buddhist besides the influence of Greek philosophy. The third phase according to the author is about the Sufi philosophers like Abul Qasim al Qushaiyri (d1072) Sheikh Abu Al-Daqqaq, Abu Hamid Muhammad al Ghazali (d1111AD); Muhiuddin Ibnal Arabi (1165-1240AD)

Sufi ideology and Sufi orders has also been dealt in detail giving a bird’s eyeview of the subject dealt with by the author. The author deals about the impact of Sufism in the Indian Sub-continent.

The author has made a detail study of Resurgence of Sufism in Sec tion-5 in Middle Eastern countries, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, Afghanistan and in the West.

The expression in the book is lucid, crystal clear, spontaneous and well defined. The author needs to be congratulated for his stupendous effort in producing this book. The book is a must read for all those interested in subject of Sufism and for all libraries, research scholars and Sufi centers.

The book can be had from the author by sending DD or eMO to the author at 678, Marshall House, 25, Strand Road Kolkata-70 0001.

                                                                              S.L.Peeran
                                                                        Editor Sufi World                                                                                   Benguluru