Ibn Jawzi
In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
'Abdur-Rahman ibn 'Ali ibn Jafar al-Jawzi was born in the city of Baghdad in approximately 1114CE and grew up studying under the leading scholars of the time, including his uncle, Muhammad ibn Nasir al-Baghdadi, a scholar of Hadith, Fiqh and Arabic grammar.
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The Beacon of Basra
There are many individuals who left a profound mark in Islam's history; few however, combined within them virtues and qualities that are rarely found in one person. Such was Abu Sa'eed Al-Hasan Al-Basri, the Tabi'i, the Imam of elevated rank, the exegete of the Qur'an, the jurist, the one known for immense worship and given to much asceticism and reflection. Abundant knowledge has been gathered and preserved and passed down the centuries through him. It is enough of a testimony to appreciate the status of Al-Hasan than the words of the famous Companion, Abdullah ibn 'Umar al-Khattab who said, "Had the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him met Al-Hasan, he would have been pleased with him." Every work written on the character of Al-Hasan attests to his close resemblance and likeness to that of a Sahabi (Companion of the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him) in terms of his manners and etiquette and worldly outlook. In this short work penned by Ibn Al-Jawzi, he highlights certain aspects of Al-Hasan's life, his morals and the words of deep wisdom and contemplation he is known for. Readers will no doubt, be moved by Al-Hasan's scattered gems and be inspired to evaluate life's priorities and renew their own commitments. |
Captured Thoughts
Author: Ibn al-Jawzi | Pages: 1057 A Collection of Thought-Provoking Gems, Persuasive Eye Opening Wisdoms, Insights about Religion, Ethics and Relationships It is often the initial thoughts passing through our minds that have within them sparks of genius reflection. Imam Ibn al-Jawzi recognised the importance of capturing such thoughts before they slip through our conscious and become forgotten, so he did exactly that; he wrote down his ideas, musings and contemplative theories and compiled them in a distinctive work he entitled: ‘Saydil Khatir’. |
Disciplining The Soul
Author: Ibn al-Jawzi | Pages: 112 | Size: 2 MB The author addresses many spiritual diseases - such as envy, greed, uncontrolled lust, sexual desire, arrogance, gluttony, anger, stinginess, extravagance, vanity and attachment to this world. He also discusses the qualities that the seeker of God must acquire - such as love, self discipline, humility, self-criticism, improvement of character, patience and truthfulness. In a simple yet effective way he shows the wayfarers how to cure their spiritual diseases and acquire the necessary qualities for their journey to Allah. |
Disturber Of The Hearts
Author: Ibn al-Jawzi | Pages: 112 | Size: 3 MB The discerning scholar is adept at diagnosing the various spiritual illnesses resulting from sins, and treating the malaise in the heart. If he finds a person failing into despair, he tries to ignite the spark of hope in the heart. if, on the other hand, he see that one in a reckless and fearless state, he works to in still the fear of Allah in his heart. Thus, the scholar treats sickness by using its opposite as a cure. Ibn al-Jawzi, has collected herein ominous narration, warnings against wrongdoing, and stories of forbidding and punishment that shake the hearts from their slumber. The self-assured one becomes anxious; the heart-hearted becomes soft; the dried tear ducts start to flow; slothful becomes motivated. |
Seeds Of Admonishment And Reform
Author: Ibn al-Jawzi | Pages: 224 | Size: 7 MB Seeds of Admonishment and Reform by Ibn Al Jawzi This is the fifth instalment in the book series, of the illustrious and inimitable scholar of the sixth century Hijri, Imam Ibn al-jawzi, and May Allah mercy upon him. The author penned this rare and deeply thought-provoking work with remarkable prose, accompanied with intense imagery designed to impart profound points of benefit harvested from the Quran and Sunnah. His lessons are uniquely arranged and gleam with exquisite expressions- deigned to council the intellect to reflect, and heart to reform. |
Awaking From The Sleep Of Heedlessness
Author: Ibn al-Jawzi | Pages: 64 | Size: 3 MB There are those who submit to Allah's order and achieve success. Others are wasteful of time and thereby loss and regret. Whoever lives his life in accordance with Allah's commands, will be rewarded handsomely with multiplied profits beyond imagination. The corrupt one who acts contrarily to Divine Pleasure will be destroyed. |
The Seekers of Sacred Knowledge
Author: Ibn Jawzi | Pages: 102 | Size: 2 MB This letter by one of the great scholars from Salaf is addressed to his son Abu'l-Qasim Badr al-Din 'Ali who began to spend his days in idle play and wasting his time doing some impermissible things. |
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At Their Feet - Piety Towards Parents
Author: Imam Ibn Jawzi | Pages: 99 | Size: 19 MB Allah the Most High Said: “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents...” [17:23] After Allah Almighty, there is none who has realised a greater favour to any person than one’s own parents. His mother bore him in extreme difficulty and went through great hardship and trouble while carrying him. Both parents performing their best in raising him, providing love and compassion and working hard to spend on him; spending sleepless nights tending to him while ignoring their own wants and desires. |
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The Devil's Deception [Talbis Iblis]
Author: Imam Ibn Jawzi | Pages: 593 | Size: 1 MB ...Ibn Jawzi enumerates within it, many of the mechanisms and modus operandi used by the devil in deceiving and leading mankind away from the Straight Path. It is of particular value and importance because only by unearthing and accentuating some of the traps of the devil, can mankind avoid them as well as navigate others away from falling prey to his harm. Speaking about the devil and his plotting, the author wrote that, "he was only able to do so while creeping during the night of ignorance. Had the dawn of knowledge shone on him, he would have been exposed. Thus I decided to warn from his plots for identifying evil is a form of warning from it." ... |
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Sketches Of Fools And Simpletons
Author: Imam Ibn Jawzi | Pages: 98 | Size: 2.5 MB Lack of sense leads to acts of foolishness, allowing them to mothball into comical gags. Ibrahim Al-Nazzam was once asked, "What are the limits of foolishness?" To which he replied, "You asked about that which has no limits." The art of humour is an intricate balancing act between folly and good judgement, measure and discomposure. People of virtue have always enjoyed a chuckle and hearty anecdotes, remaining positive towards them because they relax the mind and comfort the heart from fatigue of contemplative thought. Even the joshing nature of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is well-known, yet it was guided by a higher code of conduct cognisant of personal and public responsibility. Purposeful joking and jest brings benefit just as salt in food, ever careful not to be excessive. Before you therefore, is an amusing classical text reflecting a sharp departure from the usual scholarship for which the author is known for. Compiled in the sixth century Hijri, this collection of irreverent and playful sketches - derisive and cynical observations of mischievous people - are sure to tickle your funny bone, albeit having a more sober purpose for the reader to contemplate |
