TSV 542 Sufi Texts in English July 16-29, 2018

Coordinator : Cangüzel Güner Zülfikar Instructors : Carl W. Ernst, William C. Chittick, Sachiko Murata, James Morris

Course Description: In this course we will study the works of the Sufis from the classical period, a particular attention will be paid on Ibn Arabi's Fusus al-Hikam and Futuhat al-Makkiya, and methodology of Sufi Studies will be among our topics. Islamic thought in Chinese, history of will also be our study subjects. There will be a series of presentations on methodology and theory, which asks students to reflect on critical questions relating to Sufism and the categories commonly used to describe it. It will address Orientalist approaches to Sufism, introduction to specialized reference works (encyclopedias), the history of research on Sufism, and critical reflection on terminology and ideological discourses on Sufism. It will illuminate the difference between approaches that are descriptive (academic) and prescriptive (normative authority), and it will discuss the difference between outsider and insider positions. It will interrogate the purpose of academic Sufi studies. It needs to be understood that it is not about becoming a Sufi – one doesn’t need a master’s degree to do that. So how does Sufi studies relate to religious studies and other fields? While reading both primary and secondary sources a strong emphasis will be placed on content analysis through close readings. Themes, symbols, and terms will be evaluated in their contexts. A particular emphasis will be placed on finding connections between our readings and on understanding their particular place within the social and historical contexts in which they were created, as well as their relevance to readers today. Course meetings will consist largely of class discussion. Because of the interactive nature of the course, it is imperative that students complete assignments on time and attend class regularly.

Course Objectives: By the end of this semester students will be able to: Learn to read thoughtfully the classical Sufi literature, Develop analytical skills. That is, refine skills in thinking and writing, so that after the course students are able to offer informed and insightful analysis of topics in the Sufi literature. Identifying terms, symbols, and evaluating them in their contexts, Listing and describing Sufi vocabulary, Evaluating texts by explaining and summarizing them.

Texts and Materials: Course readings will be provided electronically and/or copies will be distributed in class. Due to copyright issues we cannot copy books in their full lengths.

Summer School TSV 542 1

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE

Lectures Readings Assignments Lecture 1 Introducing the course and materials. Reflection essay will Explanation about the Basmala be due in the class next In class reading: week. Please follow the . And Muhammad is His Messenger: The guidelines about Veneration of the Prophet in Islamic Piety. Lahore: Sang-e-Meel reading notes while Publications, 2003, p. 24-55 and 123-143. and 144-158. reading. Kenan Rifai. Listen: Commentary on the Spiritual Couplets of Trying to organize a Mevlana Rumi. Louisville: Fons Vitae, 2011, p. xv. field trip to Umm al- Kenan Dergah. Lecture 2 Carl W. Ernst. "The Sacred Sources of Sufism." Reflection essay must Shambala Guide to Sufism. Boston: Shambala, 1997, p. 32-58 and be written for Ernst Kenan Rifai. Listen: Commentary on the Spiritual Couplets of reading and it will be Mevlana Rumi. Louisville: Fons Vitae, 2011, p. 1-11, and 519-523. due next week in class. Lecture 3 AnneMarie Schimmel. And Muhammad is His Messenger: The Veneration of the Prophet in Islamic Piety. Lahore: Sang-e-Meel Publications, 2003, p. 24-55 and 123-143. and 144-158. Carl W. Ernst. "Husayn ibn Mansur al-Hallaj: The Prophet Muhammad as Primordial Light." Teachings of Sufism. Boston: Shambala, 1999, p. 15-20. Lecture 4 AnneMarie Schimmel. And Muhammad is His Messenger: The Veneration of the Prophet in Islamic Piety. Lahore: Sang-e-Meel Publications, 2003, p. 144-158 and 159-175. Sachiko Murata. The First Islamic Classic in Chinese: Wang Daiyu's Real Commentary on the Teaching. Albany: SUNY Press, 2017 Lecture 5 James Morris. The Reflective Heart: Discovering Spiritual Intelligence in Ibn Arabi's 'Meccan Illuminations'. Louisville, KY: FonsVitae, 2005.

Lecture 6 William C. Chittick. Divine Love: Islamic Literature and the Path to God. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2013. Lecture 7 James Morris. The Reflective Heart: Discovering Spiritual Intelligence in Ibn Arabi's 'Meccan Illuminations'. Louisville, KY: FonsVitae, 2005. Carl W. Ernst. "Abu al-Qasim al-Qushayri: The Testament to Disciples." Teachings of Sufism. Boston: Shambala, 1999, p. 148- 158. Lecture 8 Michael Sells. "Rabi'a: Her Words in 'Attar's Memorial of the Friends of God." Early Islamic : Sufi, Qur’an, Miraj, poetic and theological writings. New York : Paulist Press, 1996, p. 151-171. Abu 'Abd ar-Rahman as-Sulami. "Rabi'a al-Adawiyya." and "Fatima of Nishapur." Early Sufi Women: Dhikr an-niswa al-muta'abbidat as sufiyyat. Translated by Rkia W. Cornell. Louisville: Fons Vitae, 1999, p. 74-81, 142-145. Carl W. Ernst. "Lives of Women Saints." and "Baghdadian Women of the Rifa'i Order." Teachings of Sufism. Boston: Shambala, 1999, p. 179-183, 189-194. Lecture 9 Carl W. Ernst. 'Preface." and "Mystical Understanding of the Qur'an: The Book of the Elect: On Understanding and Following the Book of God, Abu Nasr al-Sarraj." Teachings of Sufism. Boston: Shambala, 1999, p. ix-14, Lecture 10 Carl W. Ernst. " Najm al-Din Kubra: Conditions of the Spiritual Path from the Bewildered Traveler.", "Ruzbihan Baqli: Divine and Human

Summer School TSV 542 2

Love." and "The Errors of Wayfarers." Teachings of Sufism. Boston: Shambala, 1999, p. 40-52, 82-94 and 118-147. Lecture 11 William C. Chittick. "The Lover of God and The Divine Roots of Love." Ibn 'Arabi: Heir to the Prophets. Oxford: Oneworld, 2005, p. 27-52. Lecture 12 William C. Chittick. "The Lover of God and The Divine Roots of Love." Ibn 'Arabi: Heir to the Prophets. Oxford: Oneworld, 2005, p. 27-52. Lecture 13 Ethel Sara Wolper. Cities and Saints: Sufism and the Transformation Field trip to Galata of Urban Space in Medieval Anatolia. Pennsylvania: The and/or Yenikapi Pennsylvania University Press, 2003, p. vii-16, 42-60, 82-92. Mevlevihanes will be organized after this reading. Closing Panel Conclusion of the course

Course Requirements: Presentation/Class Discussion 15% Reflection essays for each class 20% 2 Short Essays 20% Final Presentation 15% Final Essay 25% Class Participation 5%

1. Class Participation (5%): You are expected to participate actively in the class discussion. Asking questions also counts as participation. 2. Presentation/Class Discussion (15%): You will sign up with a partner to lead the class discussion on one day. Each two-person team will prepare a 15-minute presentation on the assigned topic and films. The team will incorporate film clips in its presentation (from the suggested films given below), and prepare at least five provocative questions to stimulate class discussion. (No more than one film clip per presentation should be a song and you should avoid summarizing the plots of films). Each team is expected to do outside research on its topic and to turn in their presentation outline, a statement of methodology, a list of works consulted, and the discussion questions. 3. Short Essays (2 x 10% = 20%): Each student will write two essays (3-4 pages each). These essays are due as given in the schedule below. Topics will be assigned in class. The essays should be analytical essays, rather than plot summaries. Make sure to have a thesis statement, and focus your argument around it. You are expected to consult print sources in addition to internet sources. Include a bibliography and cite any information you obtain from the internet just as you would a print source. 4. One Page Reflection Essays (10 x 2% = 20%): The logical way to keep with class readings is to write a reflection paper after each assigned reading. In these essays it is expected that you do your research about the Sufi master whose piece we read and be informed about them and know about their time period. Our main source for such research is Encyclopeadia of Islam. You will submit 14 essays throughout the semester. Among these the 10 best papers will be counted towards your grade. The best way to prepare for these essays is to read carefully the assigned texts on time, which will help you participate in class discussions and improve your writings.

Summer School TSV 542 3

5. Final Essay (25%): The final paper (7-10 pages) will be based on a topic of your choice from our readings. Your final essays must follow citation rules, and just like the short essays should be analytical. Make sure to have a thesis statement, and focus your argument around it. You are expected to consult print sources in addition to internet sources. Include a bibliography and cite any information you obtain from the internet just as you would a print source. 6. Final Presentation (15%): On the assigned final exam day in class you will be presenting your final paper in class.

Essay Grading Standards: A = Excellent: well-written, directed description including sophisticated analysis or original interpretation. B = Good: solid description and analysis; good command of writing mechanics; consistent and logical structure C = Adequate in the sense of doing minimal compliance with the assignment D = Poor; did not complete the assignment adequately but shows some effort F = Failing; turned in a substantially incomplete assignment or turned in nothing at all

Class Policies: Since this class is about reading, writing, and speaking of Sufi texts in English I recommend that each student to apply to become a member at the Center for Islamic Studies to benefit from the library and resources there. http://english.isam.org.tr

Attendance: You are expected to attend all classes. Unless justified by family or medical emergencies, missing or coming late to class will count against your grade. More than 3 unexcused absences will result in an F grade.

Cell Phones: All cell phones must be either turned off or on silent during class time.

Resources: This semester we will not be able to read all these listed books, but just parts. In order to gain the Sufi terminology and establish a solid vocabulary we need to draw our limits as much as we can. In all these below resources similar stories are existing, we will read about them from our primary source the Qur'an and then we will examine the Sufi commentaries of those stories, by this way we will be able to study with both primary and secondary sources.

Documentaries and Films: Decoding the Past: Secrets of the Koran. The History Channel. dvd, 2006. Inside Mecca. National Geographic. dvd, 2003. Desert Trilogy by the director Nacer Khemir: Wanderers of the Desert. dvd. 1984. Subtitles: English. The Dove's Lost Necklace. dvd. 1991. Subtitles: English. Bab'Aziz: The Prince that Contemplated His Soul. 2005. Peaceful Warrior, 2006. Ulak by Çağan Irmak. 2008.

Summer School TSV 542 4

Books: AnneMarie Schimmel. And Muhammad is His Messenger: The Veneration of the Prophet in Islamic Piety. Lahore: Sang-E-Meel Publications, 2003. Carl W. Ernst. Shambala Guide to Sufism. Boston: Shambala Publication, 1997. Carl W. Ernst. Teachings of Sufism. Boston: Shambala Publication, 1999. James Morris. The Reflective Heart: Discovering Spiritual Intelligence in Ibn Arabi's 'Meccan Illuminations'. Louisville, KY: FonsVitae, 2005. Kenan Rifai Büyükaksoy. Listen: Commentary on the Spiritual Couplets of Mevlana Rumi. Translated by Victoria Holbrook. Louisville: Fons Vitae, 2010. Nile Green. Sufism: A Global History. Chichester, West Sussex ; Malden, MA : Wiley- Blackwell, 2012. Sachiko Murata. The First Islamic Classic in Chinese: Wang Daiyu's Real Commentary on the Teaching. Albany: SUNY Press, 2017. Tales of God's Friends: Islamic Hagiography in Translation. Edited by John Renard. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2009. William C. Chittick. Divine Love: Islamic Literature and the Path to God. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2013. Yusuf Ali's translation of the Qur'an please follow this link: http://www.muslimaccess.com/quraan/translations/yusufali/yusuf_ali.htm For Muhammad Asad's translation of the Qur'an [you can download the pdf version] http://muhammad-asad.com/Message-of-Quran.pdf

"In the name of Allah, The Bestower of Grace, the Merciful. Praise be to God, Sustainer of the Worlds from the beginning until the end. May God preserve Muhammad and his family and bless them profusely."

Summer School TSV 542 5