RISĀLAH DAR ĀDĀB AL-TARĪQAH: AN EPISTLE ON THE MANNERS OF THE SPIRITUAL PATHWAY IN SUFISM

Abstract

Khawaja Yusuf HamadÄnÄ« (d. 535/1140), a prominent Sufi scholar played a significant role in the formation of Sunni Sufism in Islam. His works are written in accordance with the Qur’an and Sunna, mainly cover the issues of AqÄ«dah, AkhlÄq and principles of Sufism. One of the imported works of HamadÄnÄ« is RisÄlah dar Ä€dÄb Al-TarÄ«qah. This short epistle written in Persian, and only one existing copy of this medieval manuscript is kept at Istanbul Millet Library in Turkey, under registry number 1028. During my research in the library, I was able to get a photo copy of the work and later it has been translated into English, to introduce the researchers in this field. The work is about the important principles of Sufism which are must be carried out by the followers. Such as, importance of reading book, uzlah (seclusion), controlling of the nafs’s desires, dining and sleeping proprieties, halal food, clothing and housing. The main objective of the research is firstly, to investigate main contribution of his teaching; secondly, to do full translation of this epistle into English; and finally, to explore a few major points of the author’s doctrine. The qualitative research methodology relying on content analysis approach and an investigative library work will be employed in this research. Moreover, the translation of this epistle could be one of significant contribution to understand key principles of Sufism to improve the spiritual life and moral values in contemporary times.