Φ The Perfumed Garden of the Shaykh
Nefwazi
Translated by
Sir Richard F. Burton
230 pages
One need only
glance at the book to be convinced that its author was animated by the most praiseworthy
intentions, and that, far from being in fault, he deserves gratitude for the services he
has rendered to humanity.
Contrary to the
habits of the Arabs, there exists no commentary on this book; the reason may, perhaps, be
found in the nature of the subject of which it treats, and which may have frightened,
unnecessarily, the serious and the studious.
I say
unnecessarily, because this book, more than any other, ought to have commentaries; grave
questions are treated in it, and open out a large field for work and
meditation.