Spiritual Gems

The Mystical Qur'an Commentary Ascribed by the Sufis to Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (d. 148/765)

By Ja'far al-Sadiq, Translated by Farhana Mayer

The Fons Vitae Qur'anic Commentary Series

RELIGION

189 Pages, 6 x 9

Formats: Trade Paper

Trade Paper, $31.95 (US $31.95) (CA $40.95)

Publication Date: December 2011

ISBN 9781891785306

Rights: WOR

Fons Vitae (Dec 2011)

Price:	$31.95

Overview

The first ever translation of the volume written by spiritual leader Ja'far al-Sadiq, this compilation explains Islamic scripture on the spiritual and universal level. Making apparent the commonalities of theme and practice with other spiritual traditions, this in-depth analysis presents the earliest mystical commentaries on the Qur’an and considers the historical relationship between Sufism and Shiism. Filled with copious explanatory notes, this record discloses the wealth of Islamic teachings gathered from traditional sages and examined by scholars.

Reviews

"Spiritual Gems is a truly seminal text in the Islamic tradition of esoteric exegesis. It helps to reveal the reason why Ja<far al-Íådiq is to be appreciated not only as an Imåm within Shí<a Islam, but also as one of the most important masters of Íúfí gnosis, and a pivotal figure in the tradition of spiritual commentary on the Holy Qur’an." —Reza Shah-Kazemi, Ismaeli Institute of London

Author Biography

Ja‘far al-Sadiq is believed to be the sixth infallible Imam, or spiritual leader, and successor to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He is the founder of Shia fiqh, known as Ja'fari jurisprudence. He was an astronomer, an alchemist, an Islamic scholar and theologian, a writer, a philosopher, a physician, and a physicist. Farhana Mayer is an editor in the Qur'anic studies unit at the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London. She is the coauthor of volume one of the IIS/OUP Tafsir Anthology series.

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