Margaret Smith - An Early Mystic of Baghdad - 1935

A very rare and uncommon book... the only copy available worldwide!!! "An Early Mystic of Baghdad. A study of the life and teachings of Ḥārith b. Asad al-Muḥāsibī, A.D. 781–857" written by Margaret Smith... Anazi, known as al-Muhasibi, master of primitive Islamic mysticism and precursor of the great Muslim mystics, from Basra, circa A.H. 165 – Baghdad A.H. 243. Based on unpublished manuscript sources, with notes, references, a short bibliography, and two indexes. An ascetic and theologian, passionate and profound thinker, Muhasibi is both the initiator of the doctrinal synthesis later achieved by Gonayd, a doctor of the Sufi school of Baghdad—one of the masters of the inner life in Islam, often called "the Thomas à Kempis of his time and country," as some have said—and one of the most endearing figures of Sufism, admired for his balance, integrity, and dynamism. This book is the first comprehensive study dedicated to this remarkable figure. The first three chapters, based on the few surviving documents, recount his biography, inner life, and circle of mystics. The following two chapters briefly describe his remaining works and explore the Islamic, Jewish, and Christian sources that influenced his thought. The core of the book then presents...
Of Muhasibi's doctrine. Mr. Smith follows the different stages that lead the soul from sin to 'gnosis,' this direct contact of the creature with its God.
Inside stains but overall clean and complete, externally original cloth with wear around edges and corners, shelfwear, light wear on spine.
Scarce