Mohammed Rustom
Join the live classDescription
In this course we will introduce the famous philosopher, mystic, and poet ʿAyn al-Quḍāt Hamadānī (d. 1131). A student of Aḥmad al-Ghazālī (d. 1126), ʿAyn al-Quḍāt was a religious judge and spiritual teacher who was put to death by the Seljuq government at the age of thirty-four, ostensibly on charges of “heresy.” Having come to terms with ʿAyn al-Quḍāt’s life, martyrdom, and self-perception as a teacher and scholar extraordinaire, we will then venture into an in-depth analysis of his writings, carefully unpacking his highly original teachings on God, cosmology, human agency, spiritual practice, imagination, death, knowledge, scripture, beauty, and love.
Texts
Rustom, Inrushes of the Heart: The Sufi Philosophy of ʿAyn al-Quḍāt
Faruque and Rustom, “ʿAyn al-Qudat” (https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/al-qudat/)
Prerequisite
Although this course engages advanced themes, it is designed to be accessible to learners at all levels. No prior knowledge of the Islamic intellectual tradition is required.
Learning Outcome
By the end of the course, students will have developed the tools and perspectives necessary to thoughtfully engage with the Islamic tradition in general, and the themes covered in this course in particular.
Readings
Assigned readings are to be completed prior to each class (see Schedule of Meetings and Readings).
Class Structure
Each class is ninety minutes long, with fifty minutes allotted to the lecture and the remaining forty minutes to Q&A.
Q&A Protocol
Students may pose questions to the instructor via Zoom’s “raise hand” feature or its chat box. The instructor will respond to questions during and/or after the lecture.
Follow-Up
Students are welcome to contact the instructor outside of class for clarification, further discussion, or academic guidance.
Schedule of Meetings & Readings
October 22
Topic: Autobiography and Advice
Readings: Inrushes of the Heart, introduction; chapters 1 and 2
October 29
Topic: Metaphysics and Theology
Readings: Inrushes of the Heart, chapters 3 and 4
November 5
Topic: Imaginalization and Death
Readings: Inrushes of the Heart, chapter 5
November 12
Topic: Knowledge and the Way
Readings: Inrushes of the Heart, chapters 6 and 7
November 19
Topic: Quranic Origins
Readings: Inrushes of the Heart, chapter 8
November 26
Topic: Muhammad and Iblis
Readings: Inrushes of the Heart, chapter 9
December 3
Topic: Love and Beauty
Readings: Inrushes of the Heart, chapter 10
The Tokat Institute for Advanced Islamic Studies brings together a world-class faculty comprised of leading scholars from Oxford, Harvard, Princeton, UC Berkeley, Columbia, Yale, and the University of Toronto. Our professors are internationally recognized for their groundbreaking research, public engagement, and commitment to advancing the study of Islam at the highest intellectual level.
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