The Throne Carrier of God: The Life and Thought of 'Ala' ad-dawla as-Simnani

Jamal J. Elias

Paperback, 255 pages

9780791426128

This book constitutes a comprehensive investigation of the life and teachings of one of the most famous Sufis of the Iranian world. Simnani spent his early life as a courtier at the Ilkhanid Mongol court and was a cherished companion of the emperor Arghun. After a mystical experience on the battlefield, he turned his back on a life of luxury and became a Sufi. He advanced rapidly in his spiritual quest and soon became one of the most influential Sufi masters in Iran.

Working primarily from the most reliable Arabic and Persian manuscripts of Simnani’s writings, the author has analysed Simnani’s thinking to show the overall coherence of his world-view and to demonstrate the importance of his ideas to the development of Islamic mysticism. Along with this analysis, the author provides a detailed account of Simnani’s life and times, as well as a systematic description of Simnani’s instructions for Sufi practitioners of all levels.

Contents

1. Introduction

2. The Life and Times of `Ala’ ad-dawla as-Simnani

3. Simnani's Masters and Disciples

4. The Divine and Its Manifestation

5. The Spiritual Body and the Mirror of God

6. Traveling the Sufi Path

7. Seclusion and Recollection

8. Conclusion

Appendix A. The Written Works of Simnani

Appendix B. Chronology of Events