The Book of Language: Exploring the Spiritual Vocabulary of Islam (Education Project)

Who'd have thought that a book of definitions could bring a person to tears, but this one did. Here is clear evidence that other human beings have learned to negotiate levels of reality that most of us can only imagine, and brought back descriptions of subtle understandings. Reading it was almost like having an array of Guides and coaches urging you on.

Nice but too short! I know you are working on a more detailed reference

I found this at my local library and remain thoroughly impressed by this slim volume. I have been a fervent believer that until we gain a better understanding of the expansiveness and the limitations of our language to express spritual concepts, our knowledge of our own spiritual natures will remain only on the most basic level. In a few essays and a rather comprehensive glossary of both Arabic and English words defined in a spiritual context, this book does more to further our understanding of language in a 100+ pages than most heftier volumes I have read lately. Highly recommended for any collection of Islamic texts.

if you are studying Qur'an or related arabic mystical subjects this is a good book to have -- as always with theological works there can be differing views held on the matter of interpretation of various facets -- from actual meaning to possible meanings to expanded meanings, and it carefully skirts around certain issues, but buy it if you are studying, and have it in the armoury of reference books that are useful as required.

Excellent book highly recommended.