The Essence of Reality: A Defense of Philosophical Sufism

The Essence of Reality is a groundbreaking exposition of Islamic mysticism, written by a scholar who was just twenty-four. It is remarkable for its early philosophical exposition of mysticism and its influence on classical Islamic philosophy and philosophical mysticism. The book consists of one hundred brief chapters interspersed with Qurʾanic verses, prophetic sayings, Sufi maxims, and poetry, and takes readers on a philosophical journey, with lucid expositions of questions including the problem of the eternity of the world, the nature of Gods essence and attributes, the concepts of “before” and “after,” and the souls relationship to the body.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 270 pages
Publication date: 24 November 2023
Publisher: New York University Press

A groundbreaking exploration of Islamic mysticism, "The Essence of Reality" emerged in just three days in 514/1120, penned by a scholar just twenty-four years old. This remarkable text, much like its author ʿAyn al-Quḍāt, stands out for numerous reasons, chief among them being its likely status as the earliest philosophical exposition of mysticism within the Islamic intellectual tradition. Over time, this influential work would exert a profound impact on both classical Islamic philosophy and philosophical mysticism. Crafted in a concise yet exquisite manner, "The Essence of Reality" comprises one hundred brief chapters interspersed with Qurʾanic verses, prophetic sayings, Sufi maxims, and poetry. In dialogue with the works of philosophers Avicenna and al-Ghazālī, the book guides readers on a philosophical journey, offering lucid explanations of profound questions such as the enduring nature of the world; the essence and attributes of God; concepts of "before" and "after"; and the relationship between the soul and the body. These discussions are seamlessly interconnected with ʿAyn al-Quḍāts central argument, which posits that mystical knowledge transcends the limitations of the intellect.

A groundbreaking exploration of Islamic mysticism, "The Essence of Reality" emerged in just three days in 514/1120, penned by a scholar just twenty-four years old. This remarkable text, much like its author ʿAyn al-Quḍāt, stands out for numerous reasons, chief among them being its likely status as the earliest philosophical exposition of mysticism within the Islamic intellectual tradition. Over time, this influential work would exert a profound impact on both classical Islamic philosophy and philosophical mysticism. Crafted in a concise yet exquisite manner, "The Essence of Reality" comprises one hundred brief chapters interspersed with Qurʾanic verses, prophetic sayings, Sufi maxims, and poetry. In dialogue with the works of philosophers Avicenna and al-Ghazālī, the book guides readers on a philosophical journey, offering lucid explanations of profound questions such as the enduring nature of the world; the essence and attributes of God; concepts of "before" and "after"; and the relationship between the soul and the body. These discussions are seamlessly interconnected with ʿAyn al-Quḍāts central argument, which posits that mystical knowledge transcends the limitations of the intellect.

Weight: 320g
Dimension: 139 x 210 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479826278