Seven Doors to Islam: Spirituality and the Religious Life of Muslims

Rating:
Summary: insights of great spiritual teachers
Review: Muslims are, for a very good reason, skeptical of the Western acedemic treatment of Islamic tradition. This is because Orietalists, having little or no understanding of the context, have come to some of the most goofy conclusions about Islam. In their brilliance they have decided to attack this mysterious religious tradition for the sake of the "civilized world". This work however is a break from that sad tradition. In it the author, John Renard, translates text dealing with the science of tassawuf (purification of the heart). It is a broad study and its treatment is gentle. I would recommend it for readers who are searching to enlighten themselves about the spiritual science that has been highly inspirational to many within the Islamic tradition and without.