This thesis is a study of the doctrine of maqamat (stations) and ahwal (states), the crucial doctrine of sufism, as described in two different books, al-Risalah al-Qushayriyah and Kashf al-Mahjub, by two different masters of Sufism: one Sunni-Shafi'i, al-Qushayri, the other Sunni-Hanafi, al-Hujwiri. After introducing their positions in the history of sufism, the thesis examines their backgrounds as well as their mystical inclinations. The thesis then analyzes al-Qushayri's and al-Hujwiri's doctrine of maqamat and ahwal through a comparison of concrete examples found in the two books. Through this comparison, the thesis attempts to show the differences and the similarities of their concepts of maqamat and ahwal. The conclusion discovers that the differences which appear in al-Qushayri's and al-Hujwiri's views concerning identification of a virtue as a state or a station pertain to theoretical differences only.

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<p>The objective of this thesis was the translation of an original defence of Sufi practice titled &quot / A Kind word in response to those who reject sufism&quot / by Shaykh A&ograve / hmad ibn Mu&ograve / s&ograve / taf&aacute / &deg / Alaw&aring / i. This book was written in defence of Sufis and Sufism. This research provide some notes on the life, spiritual heritage and writings of the Shaykh &deg / Alaw&aring / i in conjunction with a critical introduction to complement the translated text. The Shaykh's methodology applied in his ijtih&aring / ad to validate and defend the Sufis and their practices was also reviewed.</p>

<p>The objective of this thesis was the translation of an original defence of Sufi practice titled &quot / A Kind word in response to those who reject sufism&quot / by Shaykh A&ograve / hmad ibn Mu&ograve / s&ograve / taf&aacute / &deg / Alaw&aring / i. This book was written in defence of Sufis and Sufism. This research provide some notes on the life, spiritual heritage and writings of the Shaykh &deg / Alaw&aring / i in conjunction with a critical introduction to complement the translated text. The Shaykh's methodology applied in his ijtih&aring / ad to validate and defend the Sufis and their practices was also reviewed.</p>