TAMIL
Sufi parables
P. SUNDARESAN
SUTCHAMATHTHAI UNARTHUM SUFI KATHAIGAL: Guruji Vasudev; Sixthsense Publications, 29 (7/3) ‘E’ Block , I Floor, Madley Road,
T. Nagar, Chennai-600017. Rs. 130.
THIS IS a spiritually uplifting collection of 31 well-illustrated parables, enriched by narratives of the ascetic and mystical lives of Sufi saints. The name is derived from the Arabic word meaning ‘wool’ — the early ascetic-precursors to the Sufis wore woollen garments.
The book gives a compendious description of the sufi movement right from its birth in Iran as a reaction to the rigours of orthodoxy. How it touched the peak in the 13th century is recorded history.
The author narrates how, influenced by other faiths such as Buddhism but firmly rooted in Islam, Sufism took up missionary activity worldwide, stressing that the term should not be used or appropriated by non-Muslim mystics or by those who do not root their mysticism in Quran.
Though Guruji throws some light on the subject, there is no reference to the Tunisian Sufis who are said to have offered shelter and education, and sometimes justice, shortly after the Muslims conquered the region in 670 AD.
It was thoughtful of the author/publishers to have featured the sayings of Sufi saints, which should act as a moral tonic. Much more so is the inclusion of the teachings of great philosophers, savants, and saints such as Socrates, Khalil Gibran, Omar Khayyam, Adi Sankara, Pattinathar, Tirumoolar, Shirdi Sai Baba , Tagore, and Bharati.
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