This thesis is concerned with the Shadhiliyya Sufi Order as it is found in Tunis. The work discusses the development of the Order and the role of its central institution (the zawiya) in a modern setting. The largest part deals with the ritual prayer of the Order--in particular the ahzab (s.hizb). In dealing with both the ritual/experiential context, and the literary content and form of the prayers, the intention is to bring to light the significance of the ahzab, and to begin to accord them their proper place in the study of Sufism. / Research is based on historical sources, manuals and prayer books of the Shadhiliyya, and the personal observations of the author. A translation of the Arabic "Hizb al-Kabir" is given in the appendix.

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