Love in Sufi Literature: Ibn 'Ajiba's Understanding of the Divine Word

This book explores the theory of divine love in the Qurān by eighteenth-century Moroccan Sufi scholar Aḥmad Ibn ‘Ajība, comparing it to other eminent Sufi commentaries and situating it in theological and historical context. It will be an important resource for academic researchers and those interested in Sufi literature and Islamic theology.

Format: Hardback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 27 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Focused on the eighteenth-century Moroccan Sufi scholar Aḥmad Ibn ‘Ajība, this book critically examines his theory of divine love to understand its profound impact on the field of Qurānic scholarship. The primary source of analysis is Ibn 'Ajība's groundbreaking Oceanic Exegesis of the Qurān, which linked theoretical works on divine love to their practical applications, a pioneering achievement in Sufi literature. A close examination of this text is complemented by a comparative approach, which focuses on several other eminent Sufi commentaries, including those of Abū al-Qāsim al-Qushayrī and Rūzbihān Baqlī Shīrāzī. This comparative approach contextualizes Ibn 'Ajība's thought within theological and historical frameworks, engaging with his mystical approach, which seamlessly integrates his theory of divine love with other Sufi doctrines in a user-friendly manner. It is argued that this approach left an indelible mark on future generations of Qurānic exegetes within North Africa and across the Islamic world.

The book will serve as a valuable resource for academic researchers seeking to delve into the vast intellectual legacy left by Ibn 'Ajība. It will also be of interest to those who are passionate about Sufi literature and Islamic theology in general.

Weight: 660g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032523682