About The Book

A treasury of Sufi commentary by an author whose stunning interpretations and penetrating insights are rare, even among the most renowned of Sufi authors, The Qur’an and the Prophet in the Writings of Shaykh Ahmad al-Alawi presents for the first time in English all of the collected works of al-Alawi on the two guiding principles of Islam. The Shaykh had embarked on a full commentary on the Qur’an, but only completed an introduction explaining his approach to Qur’anic exegesis and commentaries on three chapters before his death.

All of these pieces are included in the book, along with an additional appendix of answers to questions that the Shaykh’s disciples had put to him on the Qur’an. The commentaries are followed by a profound treatise on the meaning of the invocation of blessings on the Prophet which delves into the spiritual nature of the Prophet, explaining how he represents both the summit of spiritual attainment and the example for all those seeking enlightenment. This study fills an important hole in English on Qur’anic exegesis, and Sufi exegesis in particular.

Also included in the appendix are answers that the Shaykh gave his disciples on sayings of the Prophet. Khalid Williams specializes in translation from Arabic, with a particular focus on Islamic Studies and Sufism.