Some error occured while loading the Quick View. Please close the Quick View and try reloading the page.
'A'ishah al-Ba'uniyyah (d. 923/1517) of Damascus was one of the great women scholars in Islamic history. A mystic and prolific poet and writer, 'A'ishah composed more works in Arabic than any other woman before the twentieth century. Yet despite her extraordinary literary and religious achievements, 'A'ishah al-Ba'uniyyah
remains largely unknown. For the first time her key work, The Principles of Sufism, is available in English translation.
The Principles of Sufism is a mystical guide book to help others on their spiritual path. She recounts the fundamental stages and states of the spiritual novice’s transformative journey, emphasizing the importance of embracing both human limitations and God’s limitless love. Drawing on lessons and readings from centuries-old Sufi tradition, 'A'ishah advises the seeker to repent of selfishness and turn to a sincere life of love. In addition to his lucid translation, Th. Emil Homerin provides an insightful introduction, notes and a glossary to 'A'ishah al-Ba'uniyyah’s remarkable account of the pursuit of mystical illumination.
A bilingual Arabic-English edition.
"This bilingual edition brings to English readership a rare feast: a short treatise on four fundamentals of the Sufi path--Repentance, Sincerity, Remembrance, and Love--strung together with copious quotations from the works of great masters."
"Th. Emil Homerin's recent contribution to the field of Sufi studies and Islamic studies generally is his discovery of 'A'ishah al-Bauniyyah this truly remarkable mystical poetess whose mastery of Sufi poetic diction, intellectual tradition and imagery is fascinating."
"Homerin's work is an outstanding example of superb translation and editing. Homerin offers the original Arabic manuscript in addition to his translation, which brings to life and grants direct access into the subtleties of original language for non-Arab readership."
"An outstanding example of superb translation and editing."
"Brings to English-speaking audiences a fascinating piece written by one of the most remarkable figures of post-classical Islam."
"The translation of the prose and poems is excellent, and both the expert and the general reader can profit from the lucid presentation of the text in English. No doubt, this book is a great contribution to the study of Sufism in the Mamluk period. . . . Homerin deserves our gratitude for bringing to our knowledge 'A'isha al-Ba'uniyyah and for presenting an outstanding edition and translation of one of her treatises."
'A'ishah al-Ba'uniyyah (Author)
ʿĀʾishah al-Bāʿūniyyah (d. 923/1517) of Damascus was one of the great women scholars in Islamic history. A mystic and prolific poet and writer, ʿĀʾishah
composed more works in Arabic than any other woman before the twentieth century.
Th. Emil Homerin (Edited and Translated by)
Th. Emil Homerin is Professor of Religion in the Department of Religion & Classics at the University of Rochester, where he teaches courses on Islam, classical Arabic literature, and mysticism. Homerin completed his Ph.D. with honors at the University of Chicago ('87), and he has lived and worked in Egypt and Turkey for a number of years.