Emanations of Grace
Mystical Poems by
'A'ishah al-Ba'uniyah (d. 923/1517)
Edited and Translated with an Introduction by
Th. Emil Homerin
Aishah al-Ba'uniyah (d. 923/1517) was one of the greatest women scholars in Islamic history. A mystic and prolific poet and writer, ‘A’ishah composed more works in Arabic than any other woman prior to the 20th century. Often, she expressed her great devotion to God and His prophet Muhammad, and spoke of love and longing on the mystical quest for union.
She also alluded to her extensive education and mystical training, and her own particular life experiences, which are often reflected in her verse. Her many writings were read and copied by later generations of admirers who preserved her substantial literary and mystical legacies.
Though many of her works are lost today, several still exist in manuscript including her poetic collection Fayḍ al-Faḍl wa-Jam’ al-Shaml: “The Emanation of Grace and the Gathering Union.
The selection of poems from this volume, edited and translated into English here for the first time, recount A’ishah al-Bācūnīyah’s remarkable story of devotion and mystical illumination.