Devotional Prayer in the Islamic Tradition

This seminar explores the historical, doctrinal, philosophical and mystical aspects of Islamic liturgical texts, namely supplications and devotions. Special emphasis will be placed on readings from The Psalms of Islam as known as Psalms of the Family of the Prophet (Zabūr Āl Muḥammad/Ṣaḥīfa al-Sajjādiyya) and various devotional elegies.  Sections include comparisons to the Biblical Psalms, the Syriac prayer tradition and Hebrew prayers in the Jewish tradition. We will also explore the often-controversial role of pilgrimage and its perceived efficacy in Islamic traditions with a special focus on visitation of graves of saints while comparing similar practices in Christian traditions to understand the role that such practices occupy in both traditions. This will introduce key Islamic texts while engaging with Christian and Jewish approaches to prayer.