There are thousands of books about Sufism, and many modern ones mix in ideas from outside Islam. A safer way to start is with the classical works the tradition itself has read and taught for centuries. Here are six good starting points, with a note on what each one is for.
Quick answer
In short: start with Qushayri’s Risala or Hujwiri’s Kashf al-Mahjub for the basics, Ghazali for the link between law and the heart, Jilani and Ibn Ata’illah for short daily reading, and Rumi’s Masnavi once you know the foundations. Read slowly, ideally with a teacher.
How we chose these books
Each book below is a classical work, written by a respected classical scholar or teacher, and still widely read in the Muslim world. Each one roots Sufism in the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the Shariah. All are available in English translation. Please check that you are reading a careful, complete translation from a reputable publisher.
Key takeaways
- Six books, from the 11th to the 14th century.
- Two handbooks, two short guides, one bridge book and one poem.
- All available in English, in more than one translation.
- Best read slowly, a few pages at a time.
1. Al-Qushayri: the Risala
Written in the 11th century, the Risala (Epistle) of Abu’l-Qasim al-Qushayri is one of the best-known handbooks of Sufism. It gives short lives of early Sufis and explains key terms such as repentance, patience and trust in God. English readers often use the translation by Alexander Knysh. Read our introduction to Qushayri’s Risala.
2. Al-Hujwiri: Kashf al-Mahjub
Kashf al-Mahjub (The Unveiling of the Veiled) is the earliest major Sufi treatise in Persian, completed in Lahore in about 1058. Al-Hujwiri writes like a teacher answering a student’s questions. The English translation by R. A. Nicholson (1911) is still widely used. See our introduction to Kashf al-Mahjub.
3. Al-Ghazali: Deliverance from Error
Imam al-Ghazali (died 1111) was a great scholar of law and theology. In al-Munqidh min al-Dalal (Deliverance from Error), a short book, he describes his own search for certainty and why he turned to the path of the Sufis. It is a good bridge for readers who come from a study of law or theology. His larger Ihya Ulum al-Din (Revival of the Religious Sciences) can follow later, one volume at a time.
4. Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani: Futuh al-Ghayb
Futuh al-Ghayb (Revelations of the Unseen) is a collection of short talks by Shaykh Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani of Baghdad (died 1166). The talks are direct and practical, on trust in God, patience and following the Shariah. They suit a few minutes of reading each day.
5. Ibn Ata’illah: the Hikam
The Hikam (Aphorisms) of Ibn Ata’illah al-Iskandari (died 1309) are short sayings on sincerity, reliance on God and the inner life. Each one can be read in a minute and thought about all day. Many teachers recommend reading it with a commentary or a teacher, as the lines are dense.
6. Rumi: the Masnavi
The Masnavi of Jalal al-Din Rumi (died 1273) is a long Persian poem full of stories and teaching. It is loved around the world, but many popular “Rumi quotes” online are loose versions or not from Rumi at all. Look for a careful translation, such as Nicholson’s. Our post on Rumi and Sufism explains more.
Which book should you start with?
| If you want… | Start with |
|---|---|
| A clear overview of terms | Qushayri’s Risala |
| A teacher’s voice | Hujwiri’s Kashf al-Mahjub |
| A personal story of searching | Ghazali’s Deliverance from Error |
| Short daily reading | Jilani’s Futuh al-Ghayb |
| One line to reflect on | Ibn Ata’illah’s Hikam |
| Stories and poetry | Rumi’s Masnavi |
Tip
Keep a small notebook while you read. Write down one idea per sitting and one way to practise it that day.
Reading well
Classical Sufi books were written for students who were already praying, fasting and learning the basics of the faith. Read them alongside your daily worship, not instead of it. Our guide on how to read classical Sufi texts has simple advice, and our library lists more titles.
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