The Immense Ocean - (Fons Vitae Quranic Commentaries) by Ahmad Ibn 'Ajiba (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Providing commentary on three oft-recited chapters of the Holy Qur'an, this excerpt of the monumental discourse by 18th-century mystic and scholar Ahmad ibn 'Ajiba presents both an example of Islamic erudition based on traditional sources as well as insight into his own personal journey of discovery. Each verse is expounded upon with an exoteric explanation as well as related with an esoteric commentary to the mystic path of Islam, Sufism. As one of the few scholarly translations of traditional Qur'anic exegesis, this volume affords the previously unacquainted access not only to how educated Muslims have understood the dominant themes of these three chapters since the earliest days of Islam but also to how traditional Sufic sources have viewed the same themes in respect to the microcosm of the soul and the journey towards God.

Review Quotes

"Interest in Sufism continues to spread in the West, but the myth of a division between Sufism and Islam persists. Anyone who reads this translation will know that no such division exists . . . This work is a model translation that should be studied by all students of Islam." --Joseph Lumbard, professor and chair, Islamic and Middle Eastern studies program, Brandeis University

"Ibn Ajiba's commentary on the Qur'an is an ideal one for demonstrating the subtle interplay between traditional exegesis and the rich reflections of Sufis. In this clear and eloquent translation, English readers will get a taste of how this kind of Sufi interpretation respects the apparent meanings of Qur'anic verses while suggesting deeper modes of understanding and additional layers of meaning. There is a long standing need for more English translations of significant Qur'anic commentaries. The extended excerpt translated from The Immense Ocean here is an invaluable contribution to this important task." --Kristin Zahra Sands, professor of Islamic studies at Sarah Lawrence College and author, Sufi Commentaries on the Qur'an in Classical Islam

"The unusual combination of a native Arabic speaker and an English speaker as translators seems to work well, and there are some excellent choices of words...Almost everything in (this work) is worth saying. It should be read and re-read. " --Harfiyah Ball, on The Invocation of God, Journal of Qur'anic Studies

About the Author

Ahmad ibn 'Ajiba was an 18th-century Moroccan saint in the Darqawa Sufi Islamic lineage. He was the author of numerous works, including The Autobiography of a Moroccan Sufi. Mohamed Fouad Aresmouk completed his degree in Islamic Studies and Arabic at Qadi Ayyad University in Marrakesh. He is the author of Al-Rashad Fi Zabdati Al-Awrad.Michael Abdurrahman Fitzgerald has assisted in the research and annotation for a number of works and is the cotranslator of The Invocation of God.