Peace, one and all…
I’m currently sitting at my sister-in-law’s computer, on the outskirts of London (St Albans to be exact). I went to SOAS library today to return some books and to pick up some new ones. Although teaching has already finished for this academic year (and I’ve been busy marking and second-marking), my thoughts have begun to turn to next year’s courses. So it is that I’ve been quietly gathering material.
I have to say that this was one of the busiest trips into London that I’ve taken in a long while. I went via a slightly different route today – via St Pancras International, which has completely changed since the last time I passed that way. In point of fact, I barely recognised it! The Victoria Line on London Underground was closed and so I walked from King’s Cross to SOAS. It was a very warm afternoon, and so it was a pleasant walk.
Anyway, here are the titles of the books I checked out – and which I look forward to reading soon, insha Allah:
- R. Shah-Kazemi (2006), Justice and Remembrance: Introducing the Spirituality of Imam Ali
- al-Qushayri (trans. BR von Schlegell), Principles of Sufism
- A Esmail (1998), The Poetics of Religious Experience: the Islamic Context
- B D Metcalf (1984), Moral Conduct and Authority: the Place of Adab in South Asian Islam
- J Renard (1993), Islam and the Heroic Image: Themes in Literature and the Visual Arts
- J M Abun-Nasr (2007), Muslim Communities of Grace: the Sufi Brotherhoods in Islamic Religious Life
I also took the following title out my own university library yesterday afternoon:
- T J Barfield (1989), The Perilous Frontier: Nomadic Empires and China, 221 BC to AD 1757
Given that my academic background is in ancient history, it’s actually been a while since I read anything in that field. I’ve only read the first couple of chapters, but it’s an immensely enjoyable read so far. Insha Allah, I’ll add a few more thoughts when I’ve read a bit more.
Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman
June 8, 2008 at 10:46 am
Assalaamu aleykum,
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on that list…all of those books sound really engaging.
You are an inspiration to me, especially right now. I am struggling to keep up with reading for classes but I have several books on the deen that I really would like to get to soon. I was beginning to lose hope, but now I’m not anymore
Wa’salaam.
June 8, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Wa alaikum salaam Meghan,
Thank you for your kind thoughts. I am unworthy of them, but deeply honoured. Allah bless you always.
May Allah help you in your studies. The end of the academic year is always a busy time!
My best salaams to you…
Abdur Rahman
June 8, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Oops…
I forgot to say that I’ve been reading A Esmail’s The Poetics of Religious Experience this morning. Fascinating stuff and excellently written too! It’s only a small book (60 odd pages). Check it out if you have a chance.
Abdur Rahman