Camille Adams Helminski - Women of Sufism: A Hidden Treasure

I was a Hidden Treasure and I loved to be known,

so I created the two worlds in order that My treasure

of lovingkindness and generosity might be known.

HADITH QUDSI

M ANY YEARS AGO, the impulse arose to gather material about women who have followed the Way of Sufism, the mystical heart of Islam. Being a woman on the Sufi Path myself, I had become aware of how little was available either in current example or in historical notation about women who had matured in this Way. The search began, to understand more myself, and to discover stories of women that could be shared. Since that first impulse, eighteen years ago now, much has unfolded. Manuscripts once thought lost, such as as-Sulamis biography of Sufi women, have resurfaced and in recent years new research has also been made available. The pile in my study of references, stories, and writings of experience of women on this Way has grown over the years, until now the moment of birthing of this book has arrived with the gracious help of Our Most Generous Sustainer, and of many women and men for whose efforts in sharing these stories and excerpts I am most grateful. Due to space limitations it was not possible to include all that might be included; this volume is just a small offering in respect of all those strong women of Spirit of the Sufi Path who have come before us and all those who continue with us and all those who will, with Gods grace, follow after us. May God forgive me for whatever mistakes I have made in this humble attempt.

The selections have been ordered in a roughly chronological manner but also thematically. The first section relates the stories of three women who might be referred to as the first Sufi womenKhadija, Fatima, and Aishaall luminous women of the family circle of the Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings be with them all. The second section relates the stories of some of the Sufi women of the early centuries of Islam when the world of Sufism flourished mainly in what we now refer to as the Middle East and adjacent regions. The third section relates the stories, knowledge, and experience of women in Sufism throughout the remaining centuries up to this present moment, from many regions of the world where Sufism has spread, representing many of the predominant Sufi orders that have developed. Our aim has been to share the vast and varied treasure of womens experience and contribution in the world of Sufism, this treasure that has been for so long relatively hidden. And in the sharing, it was my hope also to open to the understanding of the reader the essential perspectives, principles, and practices of the Way that is Sufism. As it is recited repeatedly in all moments of life, Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim, we begin in the Name of God.

When referring to God in the text, in some cases I have used both the feminine pronoun and the masculine so that those reading this book may be reminded that within the universe and understanding of the Quran, the sacred text of Islam, God is without gender. I also occasionally use both in reference to the human being as well, so that we may be reminded that humanity and its evolving experience is, naturally, inclusive of both genders. Truly, Our Sustainer is beyond anything by which we may seek to define Him/Her (Surah as-Saffat 37:180). The Quran is one of the few Holy Books with which I am familiar that speaks directly to both men who have faith and women who have faith in numerous passages. In fact, the number of times that men and women are mentioned is equal. It is understood that in Gods sight, men and women are equal; what matters is not gender, wealth, or power, but that we bring to our Sustainer a sound heart (Surah ash-Shuara 26:89) when we return to Our Source. It is these who shall find themselves abiding in the Garden, now and eternally... a Garden underneath which rivers flow, and where everywhere one is met with the greeting, Peace (Surah Ya Sin 36:58).