Jamal J. Elias is Assistant Professor of Religion at Amherst College.

• IllustrationsTablesPrefaceNotes on Transliteration1. IntroductionPrimary Sources of the Simnani TraditionThe Simnani Tradition m Modem ScholarshipPart I2. The Life and Times of `Ala' ad-dawla as-SimnaniEarly Life and Conversion to SufismConversion ExperienceContact with Nur ad-din al-Isfara'iniLife in Simnan3. Simnani's Masters and DisciplesInvestiture with Sufi Robes (Khirqas)Associates and DisciplesConclusionPart II4. The Divine and Its ManifestationThe Structure of God and the WorldDivine ManifestationThe Spiritual and Physical RealmsEmanation and the Compound Human Being5. The Spiritual Body and the Mirror of GodComposition of the Spiritual BodyThe Seven Climes of the Spiritual RealmInterior Ascent of the Subtle SubstancesPreeminence of the Subtle Substance of the"Real"The Subtle Substance of I-nessConclusion6. Traveling the Sufi PathIslamic Foundations of the PathSimnani's Understanding of the Qur'anSimnani's Understanding of ProphecyRules for the NoviceRules for Sufi Practice7. Seclusion and RecollectionThe Rules of RecollectionThe Hierarchy of Visions and ColorsAnnihilation and ResurrectionConclusion8. ConclusionDivine Emanation and the Islamic Philosophical TraditionThe Four RealmsThe Concept of Lata'ifSimnani's LegacyAppendix A. The Written Works of SimnaniMajor WorksMinor WorksCorrespondenceWorks Attributed to Simnani Not Known to be ExtantSimnani's Titles Mentioned Only in Mataf al-ashrafSimnani's Commentary on the Qur'anAppendix B. Chronology of EventsGlossary of Technical TermsBibliographyIndex

"It is an investigation of the life and teachings of one of the most famous and influential Sufis of Iran. The most interesting parts for me are the outlines of Simnani's cosmology and psychology, topics that have been only touched upon by earlier writers. The biographical sections are of great interest given the rare detail that is available in the sources." — William C. Chittick, State University of New York at Stony Brook