Here is an accessible exposition, based on personal experience as well as academic research, of major themes within the Islamic world of Sufism. British readers may be surprised to learn of the adherents of this tradition who are likely to be as much their neighbours as Muslims with other orientations. Collins writes sensitively, yet with spiritual awareness and longing for Christian witness to such friends to be appropriate. Bishop Bill Musk, author of The Unseen face of Islam and Touching the Soul of Islam.“Ted’s book is like Goldilocks’ porridge. It neither too long nor too short, neither too detailed nor too un-nuanced, and neither too theoretical nor too practical. It is just right. It can help someone who has many Muslim friends think Biblically and listen carefully to their friends, so that they can present Jesus the Messiah more fully to them. It can help someone who knows only a little of Islam to see that there is more going on among Muslim people than they may have thought, and should equip them for saying something about Jesus to Muslim people they meet. It has helped me to get behind some of the things I see and hear in East London, and so, hopefully, to fruitfully show how Jesus both challenges and meets Sufi Muslim people’s deepest needs. I will also be using his insights in my teaching and training of others.Robert Scott, cross-cultural worker at St Helen’s Bishopsgate and part-time Lecturer in Islamic Studies at Oak Hill Theological College.”Ted Collins’ wonderfully written exploration on the nature, origins and expressions of Sufism is a much-needed resource as it provides balance to numerous Christian studies based on conventional perspectives of Islam. The effort is also very timely due to current Sufi resurgences observed in many parts of the world. Collins’ admirably articulates how Sufism departs from more traditional ‘text-based’ Islam; examines Sufi developments in contemporary Britain; and offers helpful reflections on what Christ-centred ‘good news’ can be for Sufis. Though academically sound, the book is accessible to everyone interested in understanding and connecting more with Sufi friends and neighbours. I enthusiastically recommend this incisive and concise work. Dr L Mak, Lecturer in Islamic Studies, All Nations Christian College.For a long time, the serious teaching of the mystical side of Islam has been missing from our courses on Islam. It is a difficult subject, and I often feel that it is easier and safer to keep to the clear formulas that more conservative variants of Islam display. Therefore, this very readable and clear explanation of Sufism, the breadth of its expressions and the many challenges that it presents to Christians wishing to share the Good News with Muslim friends, is a timely addition to the growing library of Christian Islam-related literature. He explores different expressions of International Sufism around the world, but particular the growth of British sufi traditions, before giving helpful suggestions as to how Christians might witness to ‘mystical Muslim’ friends. This is an important book, as I’m not aware of any other book dealing with this subject in this way, and commend it to you.Rev Canon Dr Phil Rawlings, Diocese of Manchester Interfaith Officer and co-Director, Manchester Centre for the Study of Christianity and Islam.
