Sufism and Ethics [686]

Sufism and Ethics. This manuscript is now IO Islamic B92 in the India Office collections. [metadata: Otto Loth, A Catalogue of the Arabic Manuscripts in the Library of the India Office, (volume 1), no. 686 here with further notations and hyperlinks]. 686. B 92. Size 83/4 in. by 5 in.; foll. 263. Thirteen lines in a page. A collection of letters on various mystic subjects, addressed to friends and pupils, most of whom were resident in Hindustan, by Saiyid ‘ABD AL-RAḤMÂN b. Saiyid Muḥammad Khawâjah Khiḍr Ḳanaujî الرسولدار. This MS. is imperfect at the commencement. It begins with what seems to be the end of a general introduction – و المامول منه تعالى ان ينفعنى به وسائر المسترشدين. The first letter commences as follows: فى مجاوبة العارف ذي كشف القلوب المعروف بسيد ايوب المكى بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم حمدا لمن شرف اولياءه بمعرفة الحق و تعريفه ... اما بعد فقد وصل الىّ مكتوب محبوب القلوب الخ. This collection is followed by an ‘’appendix,’’ which fills the greater part of the volume (from fol. 89v.), خاتمة فى بيان .. 2 من احوال قطب العارفين قدوة العلماء الراسخين الذى هذه المكاتيب منه و هو الامام الهمام سند اهل الكشف و الوجدان السيد عبدالرحمن و اسلافه عليهم الرحمة و الغفران . It gives an account of the author and his ancestors, who are traced through many generations, and appear to have been all distinguished divines and Ṣûfîs. The single articles regarding them consist chiefly of extracts from their writings, many of which are in Persian; to these are prefixed short and rather monotonous eulogies, and they are frequently followed by lists of their pupils. The article on the author contains extracts from a work of his, entitled الانيس النفيس . Plainly written. Imperfect at the end. A defect after fol.83. Inscribed خلاصة مجاوبات , to which another hand has added اوليا . 2 One word corrupt.