Sufi Women and Mystics

<p>This book focuses on women’s important contribution to Sufism by analyzing the lives and seminal contributions of six mystic Sufi women to Islamic spirituality.</p><p>To help reverse the sidelining of Sufi women in the recorded academic literature the author has selected a representative sample of figures from diverse Islamic dynasties with varying backgrounds social status and devotional contributions. Taking a historical approach attentive to specific political contexts readers will be introduced to the contributions of Umm Ali al-Balkh? and F?tima of Nish?p?r in the ninth-century Khur?s?n Aisha al-Mann?biyya of the Hafsid dynasty in Ifr?qya Aisha al-B?‘?n?yya of the Maml?k dynasties of Egypt and Syria the Mughal princess Jahan Ara Begum and the daughter of the Caliph of Sokoto Nana Asma’u. It is argued that these ascetic and Sufi women were recognized by their male and female peers became political leaders in their communities and were honored as examples of sanctity and erudition. Their works influenced mystical discourse hagiographical writings religious language and models of religious authority to secure legacies of Islamic orthopraxis.</p><p>The book will appeal to anyone interested in Sufism and Sufi history as well as to those wishing to delve into the understudied topic of Muslim women’s spirituality.</p>