The Immense Ocean

“Interest in Sufism continues to spread in the West, but the myth of a division between Sufism and Islam persists. Anyone who reads this translation will know that no such division exists … This work is a model translation that should be studied by all students of Islam.” –Joseph Lumbard, professor and chair, Islamic and Middle Eastern studies program, Brandeis University

“Ibn Ajiba’s commentary on the Qur’an is an ideal one for demonstrating the subtle interplay between traditional exegesis and the rich reflections of Sufis. In this clear and eloquent translation, English readers will get a taste of how this kind of Sufi interpretation respects the apparent meanings of Qur’anic verses while suggesting deeper modes of understanding and additional layers of meaning. There is a long standing need for more English translations of significant Qur’anic commentaries. The extended excerpt translated from The Immense Ocean here is an invaluable contribution to this important task.” –Kristin Zahra Sands, professor of Islamic studies at Sarah Lawrence College and author, Sufi Commentaries on the Qur’an in Classical Islam“The unusual combination of a native Arabic speaker and an English speaker as translators seems to work well, and there are some excellent choices of words…Almost everything in (this work) is worth saying. It should be read and re-read. ” –Harfiyah Ball, on The Invocation of God, Journal of Qur’anic Studies