Syllabus Islamic Mysticism and Law ARAB/INAF 428 Thurs. 3:30-6pm ICC 270 The Shariah and Sufism have been and continue to be two of the most important manifestations of religion in the lives of Muslims worldwide. The two, however, have often been at odds. In particular, Muslim jurists have been wary of the antinomian tendencies of Sufis, whose claims of direct experiential contact with God present a challenge to the jurists monopoly over interpreting the revelation of Islam. Law and mysticism have interacted in fascinating and surprising ways throughout Islamic history. This course will explore some of these interactions through readings in crucial Arabic Sufi and legal texts. This course will introduce students to the genre of Islamic mystical texts in Arabic. It will focus on how Sufi writings influenced the classical discourse of Islamic law and how they used legal language to articulate mystical thought. Reading knowledge of Arabic required. Learning Goals: students will learn how to read and understand Islamic legal and mystical texts in the original Arabic, and will advance their ability to undertake serious scholarly research/writing Assignments and Evaluation: Grades in this course will be based on: Final Paper (40%): a seminar paper 10-15 pages (15-20 for graduate students) (double-spaced, 12 point font, 1 margins) on a topic of your choosing after consulting with me In-Class Presentations (30%): based on assigned readings and rotating throughout the semester Participation (30%): this is based on reading and discussing texts in class See below for grading standards Schedule and Readings: 8/30 Introduction to Course and Topic 9/6 Origins and Early Development of Sufism 1
Karamustafa, Sufism: The Formative Period 9/13 The Emergence of the Sufi Orders & Middle Period Sufism Trimingham, The Sufi Orders of Islam 9/20 The Cast of Characters: Sufi Hagiography Al-Sulamī, Ṭabaqāt al-ṣūfiyya, selection 9/27 An Early Sufi Vision of the World: Abū Ṭālib al-makkī and the Qūt al-qulūb Makkī, Qūt al-qulūb, selection TBD 10/4 Qūt al-qulūb continued 10/11 Qūt al-qulūb continued 10/18 Qūt al-qulūb continued 10/25 Qūt al-qulūb continued 11/1 Sufism and Law: Fatwas on Sufi Activities Ibn Ḥajar Haytamī, Fatāwā, selection 11/8 Haytamī continued 11/15 Expressing Mysticism in the Language of Law: Aḥmad Zarrūq s Qawāʿid altaṣawwuf Zarrūq, Qawāʿid 11/22 Thanksgiving Break 11/29 Zarrūq, Qawāʿid continued 12/6 Conclusion & Review 12/14 Final Papers Due at 5pm Readings for Presentations: Bazzaz, Sahar. Forgotten Saints. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2010. Chodkiewicz, Michel. Seal of the Saints. Cambridge: Islamic Texts Society, 1993. Geoffroy, Eric. Le Soufisme en Egypte et en Syrie. Damascus: Institut Francais de Damas, 1995. Hourani, Albert. Rashid Rida and the Sufi Orders, Bulletin d Études Orientales 29 (1977): 231-41. 2
Katz, Jonathan G. Dreams, Sufism and Sainthood: the Visionary Career of Muhammad al-zawāwī. Leiden: Brill, 1996. Radtke, Bernd and John O Kane, trans. The Concept of Sainthood in Early Islamic Mysticism: Two Works by al-ḥakīm al-tirmidhī. Surrey: Curzon Press, 1996. Shoshan, Boaz. Popular Culture in Medieval Cairo. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993. Ohlander, Erik. Sufism in an Age of Transition: ʿUmar al-suhrawardī and the Rise of Islamic Mystical Brotherhoods. Leiden: Brill, 2008. Trimingham, J. Spencer. The Sufi Orders of Islam. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. Primary Sources in Translation: De Beaurecueil, S. De. Laugier, Khwādja ʿAbdallāh Anṣārī: Mystique Hanbalite. Beirut: Imprimerie Catholique, 1965 (includes Munājāt, sections of his Ṭabaqāt al- ṣūfiyya, Manāzil al-sā irīn, 40 hadiths on Tawhid). Birgivi, Mehmet. The Path of Muhammad. Bloomington, IN: World Wisdom, 2005. Al-Qushayrī, Abū al-qāsim. Al-Qushayri s Epistle on Sufism. Trans. Alexander Knysh. Reading, UK: Garnet, 2007. Administrative Policies Contacting the Instructor: Jonathan Brown Phone: 202-687-0293 Email: brownj2@georgetown.edu Office: 165 ICC (office hours: Thursday 12-3) Delays and Make-Ups: Late papers and make-up exams will be accepted in the case of medical (with provision of physician s note) or family emergency. Computer Use in Class: students are free to use their computers in class with the exception of test or quiz times. However, no chatting of any sort! Absence and Tardiness: Tardiness of over 15 minutes will be penalized in the absence of extenuating circumstances. Plagiarism & Academic Integrity: You will be expected to abide by Georgetown s Honor system: see http://gervaseprograms.georgetown.edu/honor/system/), especially http://gervaseprograms.georgetown.edu/honor/system/53519.html Concerning plagiarism, the following is cited from GU Honor Council website:!!plagiarism is defined by the Honor Council document as "the act of passing off as one's own the ideas or writings of another." In the Appendix to the Honor Council pamphlet called "Acknowledging the Work of Others" (which is used by permission of Cornell University), three simple conventions are presented for when you must provide a reference: 1. If you use someone else's ideas, you should cite the source. 3
2. If the way in which you are using the source is unclear, make it clear. 3. If you received specific help from someone in writing the paper, acknowledge it. [1] Grading: Grades will be based on and assigned according to the following system. In-class activity is based on reading and discussion. Completing the reading assignments is essential for full participation, and not reading or not contributing to discussion will hurt one s final grade. Obviously, attendance is essential for participation as well. The paper assignments are due on the days listed above, and tardiness in turning them in late will negatively affect one s grade. Here are the standards for each grade: A/A- Superb, Excellent. Student has demonstrated an ability to offer original and insightful analysis of the facts. The essay must have a clearly identifiable thesis, the thesis must make use of scholarly points to support itself, it must take a position that can be argued for or against, anticipate objections, and respond persuasively. B (+/-) Solid Work. The facts have been grasped, and significant moves have been made to interpret the material in an analytical fashion. The majority of good papers usually fall in this range. C (+/-) The student has made a reasonable attempt to engage the readings, and has a fair grasp of the factual material presented. The analysis of these facts, and an attempt to contribute towards an original interpretation, however, is severely missing. D (+/-) A simplistic familiarity with the subject matter can be gleamed through the assignment. F A disappointment no attempt being shown on the behalf of the student to engage the material, to respect the parameters of the class and its schedule, or the turning in of assignments. The following are the % GPA equivalents for grades: A 95-100% A- 90-94% B+ 87-89% B 84-86% B- 80-83% C+ 77-79% C 74-76% C- 70-73% D+ 67-69% D 64-66% Minimum passing F 0-63% Failure 4
Help with Writing: If you would like assistance in improving your writing, contact the Writing Center: (http://writingcenter.georgetown.edu/, 687-4246, 217A Lauinger Library). Students with Disabilities should contact Georgetown s Academic Resource Center http://guarc.georgetown.edu/ [1] http://gervaseprograms.georgetown.edu/honor/system/53377.html 5