Deciphering the Signs of God

Annemarie Schimmel was for many years Professor of Indo-Muslim Culture at Harvard University. She is author of numerous works, including Islam: An Introduction; and The Triumphal Sun: A Study of the Works of Jalaloddin Rumi, both published by SUNY Press; and the editor of the SUNY Press series, Muslim Spirituality in South Asia. Among the more unusual honors that have been awarded to her are the naming of a boulevard in Lahore, Pakistan, after her and the Levi Della Vida Medal for outstanding contributions to Islamic studies presented by the University of California.

"This is one of Schimmel's most important books. It sums up a lifetime of scholarship on Islam and, more importantly, it puts her understanding of Islam into a phenomenological framework that will readily be appreciated by scholars and students of other religious traditions. It will be looked back upon as a landmark in bringing Islamic Studies into the mainstream of religious studies."— William C. Chittick

• List of Abbreviations Preface Introduction I. Sacred Aspects of Nature and Culture II. Sacred Space and Time III. Sacred Action IV. The Word and the Script V. Individual and Society VI. God and His Creation: Eschatology VII. How to Approach Islam? Bibliography Indices