Charismatic Leadership in Islam

<p>To understand Islam one must understand the people who practice this faith. Consequently this book is a detailed ethnographic study of two contemporary Sufi communities. It explores the perplexing range of theological and ritual variation arguing for a direct correlation between Sufi multiformity and the agency of the spiritual leader the Shaikh. He is principally responsible for shaping the community under his leadership.</p> <p>This work gives fascinating close-up pictures of the roles of two Sufi leaders. It is arresting both on account of the two stories themselves and due to the stark differences between them.</p>