"This book is a literary study tracing the roles and functions of angels as characters in Sufi literature, based on their functions outlined in the Quran. If you pick up any book discussing Islam or islamic theology, you will probably find angels in it -one never thinks much about them, and they often seem marginal. However, whether real or a simple literary device, what are the angels' real functions in a text? This study proposes to outline their functions, and more specifically what classical Sufi literature (7th--12th century CE) makes of them"-- Provided by publisher.
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Abstract
Introduction
1Preliminary remarks
2Angels in the Quran
3Angels in Sufi commentarial literature
4Last remarks
1 Angels in Sufi Tafsr: the Basic Quranic Functions
1Some introductory remarks on the selected tafsr
2Reviewing angels in the tafsr
3Presentation of the basic Quranic functions of angels
4The narrative function of angels in the tafsr
5The theological function in the tafsr
6The religious praxis function in the tafsr
7Concluding thoughts
2 Angels in Sufi Tafsr: General Quranic Functions
1Presentation of the general Quranic functions of angels
2The cosmological function in the tafsr
3The role of messenger: the classic cosmological function in tafsr
4An overlooked cosmological function in tafsr: angels as testers
5Concluding thoughts
3 Angels in Sufi Tafsr: Two Sufi Functions
1Of angels, the jinn and the Devil in the Quran
2The function of cosmological enrichment in the tafsr
3The case of Gabriel, Michael, and other named angels in the tafsr
4The symbolic function of angels in the tafsr
5Concluding thoughts on angels in the Sufi tafsr
4 Angelic Roles and Functions in the Sufi Mirj
1The heavenly ascension or mirj in Islam
2The Sufi mirj
3The mirj of Ab Yazd al-Bism
4The mirj of Ibn Arab
5Concluding thoughts
5 Angels In al-Futt al-Makkiyya by Ibn Arab
1Presentation of the work
2Building on the angelic general Quranic functions
3Building on the Basic Quranic Functions: Angels in Relationship to Humans,
Spirits and Other Beings
4The symbolic function: the mystical meta-function of angels
5Concluding thoughts
Conclusion
Appendix1Angels in Arabia: In and around the Quran
Appendix2Verses in Musaf Order
Appendix3List of Verses Mentioned in Each Tafsr
Appendix4Angelic Hierarchies
Bibliography
Index
Louise Gallorini, Ph.D. (2021), Arabic and Near Eastern Languages Department, American University of Beirut. Currently an independent researcher, her latest publication is an upcoming article on al-Bism (to be published in Brills IHC series).
