COURSE RUNNING FROM AUGUST-SEPTEMBER Esoteric Knowledge in Tashayyu’ will be running for eight weeks 8:30-10:00 pm BST every Sunday from August 3rd to September 21st 2014. Classes are recorded. Times are negotiable Course Outline Esoteric knowledge in the Islamic tradition is most often associated with Sufism (tasawwuf); however, Sufism developed as a culture only around the ninth century CE during the period of the latter Imamates. A large proportion of the teachings that began to be circulated by certain figures that claimed their authorship can actually be found in the much earlier hadīth collections and writings of the Imams of Ahl al-Bayt (as). In addition, there is evidence that the Imams dissociated themselves, both physically and verbally, from the emerging mystical movements that ignored the fundamental matter of the walāya of the Ahl al-Bayt (as). This course opens with an introduction to the definition of esoteric knowledge in various cultures, leading up to that of Islam. It then examines the lesser known speeches of Imam ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib (as) that may be seen as expressions from the ultimate point of nearness to God. Analytical critiques of several prominent figures in the Sufi tradition are also offered, placing them within the historical context of the Shī‘ī tradition and shedding light on how they borrowed the teachings of the Imams, while declaring them as their own. The spiritual hierarchy of the elite Shī‘a will also be discussed; consisting of friends (awliyā’) of the Ahl al-Bayt (as), the concept of such a hierarchy eventually also found its way into Sufi culture, with numerous personalities declaring themselves as its qutb (axis); a position that was, in the original teachings, occupied by the Imam. Moving on to more cosmological matters, the course also gives an overview of the schemas of a number of cosmic hierarchies from different religious traditions, and explores the phenomena of external time (zamān āfāqī) and internal time (zamān anfūsī). Finally, the practices of asceticism (zuhd), remembrance of God (dhikr) and love for God (mahābba) are discussed in light of the Qur’ān and hadīth of the Ahl al-Bayt (as). To find out more, go to onlineshiastudies and click on ‘Courses’, or contact info@onlineshiastudies Skype: onlineshiastudies https://facebook/OnlineShiaStudies
Posted on: Sun, 06 Jul 2014 15:02:19 +0000