"Ab? ?Abd al-Ra?m?n al-Sulam? (d. 412 AH / 1021 CE) was one of the foremost representatives of early Sufism who influenced successive generations through his many disciples and through his writings. 'Jaw?mi? ?d?b al-??fiyya', of which 'A Collection of Sufi Rules of Conduct' is the first English translation, was one of the first attempts to provide an accurate formulation of Sufi beliefs and manners (?d?b) and to show their compatibility with the Qur??n and the example of the Prophet. The many sayings and maxims collected by Sulam? represent the views of more than five generations of mystics and give us insight into Sufi thought up till the beginning of the eleventh century. 'A Collection of Sufi Rules of Conduct' is both a Sufi treatise and a miscellany of universal ethics. By plunging the reader into the heart of the Islamic spiritual tradition and engaging him with its beautiful aphorisms and moral sayings, it propounds the idea that the Sufi, and by extension every human being, should constantly strive towards attaining total harmony between his exterior conduct and his intimate relationship with God. The translation of 'A Collection of Sufi Rules of Conduct' is preceded by an introduction which places Sulam? in his historical, literary and religious context, and which situates the text within the traditions of Arabic literature and Islamic mysticism. The translation is fully annotated and is followed by a glosssary of Sufi technical terms"--Publisher's description, back cover.