3 Review(s)

Discusses the work of a central, but poorly understood, figure in the development of Persian Sufism, Amad al-Ghazali. The teachings of Amad al-Ghazali changed the course of Persian Sufism forever, paving the way for luminaries such as Rumi, Aar, and afi. Yet he remains a poorly understood thinker, with many treatises incorrectly attributed to him and conflicting accounts in the historiographical literature. This work provides the first examination of Amad al-Ghazali and his work in Western scholarly literature. Joseph E. B. Lumbard seeks to ascertain the authenticity of works attributed to this author, trace the development of the dominant trends in the biographical literature, and reconstruct the life and times of Amad al-Ghazali with particular attention to his relationship with his more famous brother, Abu Hamid al-Ghazali. Lumbard's findings revolutionize our understanding of Amad al-Ghazali writings, allowing for focus on his central teachings regarding Divine Love and the remembrance of God.