The Heart of Sufism: Essential Writings of Hazrat Inayat Khan

by Hazrat Inayat Khan, H.J. Witteveen (Editor)

There is beauty, purity, and truth in these words of Hazrat Inayat Khan, the mystic and musician who set out from India in 1910 to introduce Sufism to the Western world. This anthology brings together excerpts from the multivolume collected works based on his direct oral teachings to students in America and Europe. It provides an illuminating glimpse into a many-faceted diamond of wisdom, uniting a wide variety of subjects—mysticism and metaphysics, music and poetry, education and the art of personality, spiritual training and practice—within the all-encompassing universal worldview that is the heart of Sufism.

"With all its variety of subject matter, the Sufi Message is still completely unified, because all these subjects are considered from the mystical point of view of the one divine spirit, penetrating all life, the whole creation. From every angle, Hazrat Inayat Khan's explanations open a window to God and the unity of life. In this way the Sufi Message can offer what the great scientist David Bohm saw as 'the need to restore a coherent culture, a way of thinking and perceiving which brings everything together.'" —from the Introduction by H. J. Witteveen

Genres: Islam, Spirituality, Philosophy, Biography, India, Nonfiction

363 pages, Paperback

First published March 2, 1999

About the author

Hazrat Inayat Khan (Urdu: عنایت خان ) (July 5, 1882 – February 5, 1927) was an exemplar of Universal Sufism and founder of the "Sufi Order in the West" in 1914 (London). Later, in 1923, the Sufi Order of the London period was dissolved into a new organization formed under Swiss law and called the "International Sufi Movement". He initially came to the West as a representative of classical Indian music, having received the title Tansen from the Nizam of Hyderabad but soon turned to the introduction and transmission of Sufi thought and practice. His universal message of divine unity (Tawhid) focused on the themes of love, harmony and beauty. He taught that blind adherence to any book rendered any religion void of spirit.

Reviews

[Mark David Vinzens · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If anybody asks what Sufism is, what kind of religion is it, the answer is that Sufism is the religion of the heart, the religion in which the thing of primary importance is to seek God in the heart of mankind.” ― Hazrat Inayat Khan, The Heart of Sufism

[Shuriu]

This book is mis-labeled on Goodreads. The author is Hazrat Inayat Khan. Witteveen writes the intro.

[James W Brede · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Heart of Sufism: Essential Writings of Hazrat Inayat Khan, edited by H.J. Witteveen, is a profound collection that distills the universal spiritual teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan, a Sufi master who initially came to the West as a celebrated musician, honored with the title Tansen by the Nizam of Hyderabad. Transitioning from music to mysticism, Khan dedicated himself to sharing Sufi thought, emphasizing divine unity (Tawhid) through the lenses of love, harmony, and beauty.

This book is a deep well of wisdom, weaving together insights from Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam to create an ecumenical tapestry that transcends dogmatic boundaries. Khan’s teachings challenge blind adherence to religious texts, urging readers to seek the living spirit within all faiths. His writings resonate with an almost omnistic clarity, offering universal truths accessible to anyone open to spiritual exploration.

Page after page, I found myself highlighting passages that confirmed my own spiritual inklings, while others opened new pathways for understanding existence, consciousness, divinity, purpose, and love. Khan’s words are both profound and approachable, making this book a treasure for seekers of any faith—or none—provided they are not rigidly bound by dogma, a point Khan himself addresses with gentle clarity.

I highly recommend The Heart of Sufism to anyone yearning to deepen their understanding of spirituality and the interconnectedness of all things. It’s a transformative read that invites reflection and inspires a more harmonious way of being.

[Muhammad · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Bukan dengan realisasi diri
yang membuat manusia menyadari Tuhan;
tetapi adalah dengan realisasi Tuhan
Sehingga manusia menyadari diri."

"Kebahagiaan sesungguhnya berada dalam arus cinta yang memancar dari jiwa seseorang,
dan orang yang membiarkan arus ini mengalir
terus-menerus, dalam semua kondisi kehidupan,
dalam semua situasi, betapa pun sulitnya,
akan mendapatkan kebahagiaan
yang benar-benar miliknya."

"Wahai pencipta kedamaian, sebelum mencoba membuat kedamaian di seluruh dunia, pertama-tama buatlah di dalam dirimu."

[mumtaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

nothing short of exquisite in its meditations and offerings of reflection, helped me process a lot of grief and life cycle transitions. so grateful for the wisdom and inward oriented guidance <3 it will always hold a special place in my heart

[Favorable]

A wonderful window to the amazing realm of Sufism.