Brill Handbook of Sufi Studies: Sufi Material Culture

Islamic mysticism finds expression not only in writings, speeches, and rituals but also in a rich material culture. From specific buildings, such as dance rooms, and distinctive clothing, especially the cloak, to dervish paraphernalia—rosaries, staffs, begging bowls, animal skins, and many others—these objects bridge the spiritual and the tangible. Fully illustrated, this groundbreaking volume explores the extraordinary diversity of Sufi material culture across the Muslim world. It reveals how buildings, clothing, and symbolic artifacts reflect the inseparable bond between transcendence and immanence in Sufism. An essential resource for anyone fascinated by the intersection of faith and materiality.