Page ix - A Note On
Sources: "This book is based on primary sources, written in Arabic and Persian.
Arabic is a Semitic language, a sister of Hebrew and Aramaic, and the most important
language of Islamic civilization."
Commentary: As
indicated earlier, if the author’s book were really "based on primary
sources", it would have been rooted in the author’s personal relationship of
mystical/spiritual learning, over an extended period of time, with an authentic Sufi
shaykh. Primary linguistic sources cannot come alive unless one learns how to engender
such a process through the assistance of one who understands something of the
‘niyat’ (spiritual intention), ‘himma’ (spiritual aspiration), and
‘nisbath’ (relationship of spiritual sincerity and love) of the author of such
primary sources.
In addition, from the
Sufi perspective, Arabic is not "the most important language of Islamic
civilization." The speech of the heart is far more important, for if there is
something amiss with this latter faculty, then, the spiritual significance and meaning of
what is given expression through the Arabic language will never be properly appreciated or
understood.
Finally, a distinction
needs to be drawn between Islamic civilization and Muslim civilization. Muslims have said,
written, and done many things in the name of Islam, but many of these actions really have
nothing to do with Islam. The Arabic of Muslims is one thing, and the Arabic of Islam is
quite another.
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