Book: Sufi Heirs of The Prophet: The Indian Naqshbandiyya and the Rise of the Mediating Sufi Shaykh

Author: Arthur F Buehler, PhD.
Publisher:

This book fulfills two roles: it provides a very good history of the Naqshbandi Sufi Order in general and it also looks in detail at the life of one of the greatest Sufi saints of the 19th/20th century Sayyedina Ameer al Millat Grandshaykh Pir Sayyid Jama`at Ali Shah Naqshbandi (may Allah be pleased with him) of Alipur Sharif, Pakistan, as a case study. It is a welcome first look at this great saint and also it gives detailed information on Naqshbandi Sufi practices and beliefs. It should appeal to all those interested in tasawwuf and also of religion in the Subcontinent as well as to the millions of admirers and disciples of Grandshaykh, Hazrat Amir al Millat who was the Ghawth [spiritual helper] of his age. The only criticism is that it is very academic and meant for the specialist student of Sufism and not for the lay-person; yet with a bit of application all can benefit from this book and discover real Islam from a Master!

One of the miracles of the Shaykh is that during his research for this book Dr. Buehler accepted Islam and became initiated into the Naqshbandi Order himself! I am also in the same Order.