The Subtleties of the Ascension

The story of Muhammad's Night Journey and Ascension, in which the Prophet travels from Mecca to Jerusalem to Heaven and back in the course of a single night, has enchanted Muslim audiences for centuries; but for the Sufi mystics, the tale took on a special significance, becoming a fulcrum for their teachings. This book includes a never-before-published translation of first-millenium Sufi writings on the Ascension, an extensive annotation and commentary, an edition of the original Arabic text, and an appendix containing invaluable material for the specialist. Finally, beautiful color plates of relevant Persian miniatures and Quranic manuscripts add rich visual accompaniments. The work will appeal to both a general audience and specialists interested in mysticism, Sufism, otherworldly journeys, medieval folklore, and Islamic studies.