Notes to the Introduction

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Letter from the General Editor iii
3. About this Paperback iv
4. Contents ix
5. Abbreviations xi
6. Acknowledgments xiii
7. Foreword xv
8. Introduction xxi
9. Map: The Geography of Ibn Khaldūn’s Lifetime xxxvii
10. Note on the Translation xxxviii
11. Notes to the Introduction xli
12. The Requirements of the Sufi Path: A Defense of the Mystical Tradition
13. In the name of God, Ever Merciful, Full of Mercy. Blessings upon our lord and master Muḥammad and his family and companions 3
14. An Accurate Definition of the Sufi Path and How It Differs from the Paths Associated with the Divine Law; What the Term “Sufi” Meant to Members of the Early Muslim Community 7
15. Discussion of the Spiritual Struggles into Which the Sufis Were Led by Their Ardor, What Motivated These Struggles, and Why “Sufism” Had Originally Meant the First Spiritual Struggle but Came to Mean All of Them; an Accurate Definition of this Path 20
16. Discussion of the Spiritual Struggles, Their Divisions, and Their Prerequisites: Based on Our Study of Their Ideas and Perusal of Their Opinions, the Sufis Have Three Distinct Levels of Spiritual Struggle in a Fixed Hierarchy 36
17. Discussing—and Refuting—How Modern Sufis Have Manipulated the Term “Sufism” 55
18. When Is a Teacher Required, Recommended, or Unnecessary in the Spiritual Struggle? 72
19. Presentation of the Two Sides of the Debate, of What Is Correct, and of My Verdict 81
20. Notes 113
21. Glossary of Names and Terms 122
22. Bibliography 139
23. Further Reading 144
24. Index 146
25. About the NYU Abu Dhabi Research Institute 157
26. About the Translator 158
27. The Library of Arabic Literature 159