BTS 68
Beirut 1999, 142 pp. german and 272 pp. arabic text – 170 x 240 mm. English brochureISBN 978-3-89913-067-6
Merely two works of the Sufi scholar ʿAmmār al-Bidlīsī (d. at the end of the 12th century) have been preserved, “Bahǧat aṭ-ṭāʾifa” and “Ṣaum al-qalb”. The author seems to have attended the instruction and education of the soul, rather than presenting a theoretical discussion. His main audience were his novices whom he addresses most of the time and wishes to sensitize for his philosophy. Al-Bidlīsī was a follower of the mystical Sufi path and interlaces Sufi concerns and requests directly or indirectly into his work. Both of his manuscripts have been used for teaching Sufism in Damascus up until the 19th century.
Edward Badeen studied Arabic literature, English, Islamic and Semitic Studies and Psychology in Jerusalem and Basel before attaining his Ph.D. in 1978 in Islamic Studies. He is currently a lecturer for Arabic at the Department for Oriental Studies of the University of Zurich.