Sufi heirs of the Prophet

By Arthur F. Buehler

Book Description

Arthur F. Buehler presents a fascinating exploration of spiritual leadership and personal transformation within one of Islam's most influential mystical traditions. Through careful examination of the Naqshbandiyya lineage during colonial India, this scholarly work reveals how authentic spiritual authority develops and flourishes across generations.

The author identifies four distinct pathways through which Sufi masters cultivate and express their spiritual influence. These include the sacred transmission of wisdom through unbroken lineages, the transformative journey of inner spiritual travel, embodying the exemplary qualities of Prophet Muhammad, and the careful preservation and sharing of religious knowledge. Each pathway offers insights into how genuine spiritual teachers emerge and guide others on the mystical path.

Rather than presenting abstract theories, Buehler grounds his analysis in the lived experiences of actual Sufi practitioners, showing how these sources of authority operated within the complex social and political landscape of colonial India. The work demonstrates how Sufi leaders maintained their spiritual authenticity while adapting to changing circumstances, drawing their ultimate authority from their deep connection to the Prophet Muhammad as the supreme model of spiritual realization.

This comprehensive study offers valuable perspectives for anyone seeking to understand how spiritual wisdom is transmitted, how authentic teachers are recognized, and how mystical traditions maintain their vitality across centuries of change.