The Risāla: Al-Qushayri’s Epistle on Sufism

A classic manual of Sufism written in 1045 by Abū al-Qāsim al-Qushayrī, a Sufi of Nishapur and a scholar of Ashʿarī theology. He wrote it to show that true Sufism agrees with the Law and with sound doctrine, at a time when he thought the path had grown lax. After a statement of the Sufis' beliefs about God, the work gives short biographies and sayings of about eighty early masters, among them Ibrāhīm ibn Adham and al-Junayd. A glossary then explains the technical terms of Sufism, such as the moment, station and state, contraction and expansion, and passing away and abiding. The longest part describes the stations of the path in turn, including repentance, retreat, fear and hope, patience, trust in God, gratitude, contentment, sincerity, love and longing. Closing chapters treat the miracles of saints, dreams and advice to novices.

It is the standard medieval introduction to Sufi ideas and vocabulary, and still the best single place to learn what terms like station, state and passing away meant to Sufis themselves.