Inrushes of the Heart

Mohammed Rustom is Professor of Islamic Thought at Carleton University and Director of the Carleton Centre for the Study of Islam. He is the author of the award-winning book The Triumph of Mercy: Philosophy and Scripture in Mullā Ṣadrā, also published by SUNY Press.

"Inrushes of the Heart, with its impressive spiritual scope, can be unreservedly recommended as an excellent guide for newcomers to the life and thought of ʿAyn al-Quḍāt. This work has received high accolades from some of the foremost authorities of Islamic philosophy, mysticism, and theology and is sure to remain the standard reference on this remarkable figure." — Journal of Islamic and Muslim Studies"…a welcome addition to currently available scholarship on 'Ayn al-Quḍāt and to the fields of Religious Studies, Islamic Studies, Sufism, Islamic Philosophy, and Theology. With its detailed notes and references, researchers who wish to explore 'Ayn al-Quḍāt's work in greater detail will find it valuable. In addition to being an important sourcebook for undergraduate and graduate Sufism classes, the book will also serve as an indispensable introductory resource for the general audience." — Religious Studies Review"Inrushes of the Heart will certainly become the standard study of Hamadānī, and alongside the Essence it is ideal for the classroom." — Speculum"Rustom's Inrushes of the Heart is a welcome addition to the corpus of scholarly literature regarding 'Ayn al-Quḍāt, a list of which he thoughtfully provided in the back matter of this book … The range Rustom tries to cover is vast. It makes the book an excellent guide for someone new to 'Ayn al-Quḍāt, giving the reader a spectacular overview and a holistic and comprehensive outline of the philosophy of the Sufi of Hamadan." — Islamic Studies"I am delighted that Mohammed Rustom has written this much-needed book which finally does justice to the teachings of 'Ayn al-Quḍāt, one of the most original and inspiring authors during a period that bore witness to a great flowering of Sufi teachings wedded to philosophical and theological acumen." — William C. Chittick, Distinguished Professor, Stony Brook University"In the fields of Islamic philosophy, mysticism, and theology, there is nothing remotely like this book, in any language, and it should therefore remain a standard reference and teaching resource for decades to come." — James Winston Morris, Professor Emeritus, Boston College"Bringing to light the full spectrum of 'Ayn al-Quḍāt's bold and creative writings for the first time in modern scholarship, Inrushes of the Heart shows with blinding clarity why 'Ayn al-Quḍāt is to be seen as one of the most luminous stars in the night sky of Islamic spirituality and intellectuality." — Omid Safi, Professor of Islamic Studies, Duke University"The lucid translations and painstaking historical research on display in Inrushes of the Heart can serve as a model for scholars of religion and philosophy in general, and Islamic thought in particular. This definitive book on one of pre-modern Islam's most significant thinkers will be an indispensable resource for students and researchers for decades to come." — Cyrus Ali Zargar, Al-Ghazali Distinguished Professor of Islamic Studies, University of Central Florida"'Ayn al-Quḍāt's scintillating spiritual prose is brought to life in this brilliant anthology by Mohammed Rustom. Rustom's impeccable historical and philological scholarship creates a conductor for 'Ayn al-Quḍāt's lightning-like flashes of insight on the nature of reality, humanity, intellect, ethics, and revelation. Inrushes of the Heart is a veritable defibrillator, shocking our spiritual hearts back to life." — Oludamini Ogunnaike, University of Virginia

• Detailed List of FiguresAcknowledgmentsPreface Format and Style Sourcing Hadiths and Sayings AbbreviationsIntroduction: A Sage in Exile LifeExecutionWritings ReceptionThe Present Book1. AutobiographyDiscoveryHelplessnessTastingCharismatic GiftsApparitionsMuhammadan Encounters 2. Counsel and ConfessionAdvice and AdmonitionCriticismSandal-Service Two Defenses Divine Jealousy 3. Heavenly MattersThe EssenceRational ProofWitnessDivine Names and AttributesOneness of ExistenceLevels of LightThe Goal of Creation4. Earthly ConcernsGood and EvilCosmic Well-BeingAgainst DualismBad TransmittersCompulsion and FreedomGuidance and Misguidance5. Inside Out, Outside InIntention and SincerityAssentPurity and PrayerFastingPilgrimage and Alms TaxPraise and GratitudeImaginalizationDeath before Death6. Wayfarers and MastersHabit-WorshipBody and SoulThe HeartThe SpiritWayfaring and SeekingRenunciationThe Ripened Master7. Knowledge TranscendentBrothers and Mirrors Knowers and RecognizersThe Scale of the Intellect Beyond the Intellect Self-Recognition Self-Perception 8. Quranic OriginsParadise Found Vastness and Worthiness Knowing and Hearing The Imprint of LettersLetters and Dots Dots, Nothingness, Subsistence9. Muhammad and IblisPeriphery to Center Muhammadan Light The Black Light of Iblis Face, Mole, Tresses Faith and Unbelief Two Commands An Ideal Lover10. Love TranscendentLove as Guide Love and Loverhood Trial and Tribulation Madness and Burning The Religion of Love Levels of Unbelief Self-Love In the I of the Beholder Notes BibliographyWorks by ʿAyn al-Quḍāt (Editions, Manuscripts, Translations) Works Misattributed to ʿAyn al-QuḍātScholarship on ʿAyn al-Quḍāt Cited or ConsultedOther Primary SourcesOther Secondary SourcesIndexesIndex of Translated TextsIndex of Quranic PassagesIndex of Hadiths, Proverbs, and SayingsIndex of Names and Terms