Acknowledgments
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Dr. Alexander Knysh who was my Ph.D. adÂvisor at the University of Michigan when I began the research and writing that culminated in this monograph. Alexander Knysh challenged me with the big questions surrounding the study of Islamic Mysticism, and those questions have driven much of this work. I hope to have provided answers to some of these questions through this study. Dr. Sherman Jackson was instrumental in introducing me to ḤanafÄ«/MÄturÄ«dÄ« theology, which proved indispensable to my thesis. Dr. Erik Ohlander helped focus my attention on authority in Islam and its relationship to wilÄya, and this proved essential in interpreting the ideas of al-ḤakÄ«m al-TirmidhÄ«. Dr. Yaron Eliav opened for me the world of rabbinic studies, which led me to study the ideas of Saadia Gaon. Dr. Kathryn Babayan encouraged me to look at the broader social and political climate in which al-TirmidhÄ« was active, and this was important in giving much-needed context to the work. I must thank my father, Dr. Kent Palmer, for being an ever willing conversant in this project. More than anyone, he has nurtured my intellectual development and helped to expand the horizons of my thinking. My mother, Mrs. Robyn Palmer, supported me emotionally and financially at important junctures in my academic study. She copyedited the first draft of the monograph. Without both of my parents, this project could not have reached fruition. My wife Sulma has been my beloved partner and friend throughout this entire project and helped immensely with formulating important ideas and providing needed editing. Ms. Nora Zaki helped with editing early drafts of the project and was extremely helpful in preparing the manuscript for review. My father-in-law and mother-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Badrudduja, were always there for Sulma and me throughout the project, providing encouragement and financial support. Most of all, I thank God for the tawfÄ«q to bring this book to completion.