اللطائف

by Ibn al-Jawzi

This is the fifth installment in the book series, of the illustrious and inimitable scholar of the sixth century Hijri, Imam Ibn al-Jawzi, may Allah have 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 Qur'an and Sunnah. His lessons are uniquely arranged and gleam with exquisite expressions-designed to counsel the intellect to reflect, and the heart to reform. Being a timely translation, its message reflects the challenge of the human condition that continues to divert mankind with the blinding effect of this transient and material world and brings back the real focus on mankind's purpose and responsibility on earth. In ' Fada'il al-Dhikr ', Ibn Jawzi wrote that one of the Salaf "O son of Adam! You need your share in this life, but need your share in the Hereafter even more. If you (only) took care of your share in this life, then you will lose your share in the Hereafter and are soon bound to lose your share in this life too. However, if you took care of your share in the Hereafter, you will also win your full share in this life with ease." The author has extracted from an array of topics what will jolt the hearts and moisten the eyes, while strengthening the resolve to return to Allah and aspire for loftier goals to succeed in this life and the next. And there is no might or power, except with Allah. The author, Ibn al-Jawzi (d. 597 AH), was an learned scholar possessing extensive knowledge. While still young, he became known as someone who was religious and given to learning. He would not waste his time in idle activities and would scrupulously avoid any food whose source was doubtful. He was a great preacher and his fame was widespread; many people repented and accepted Islam at his hands.

Genres: Islam

Unknown Binding

About the author

Abu al-Faraj Jamal al-Din Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Hasan Ali Al-Jawzi also known as Ibn al-Jawzi (c. 1116 – 16 June 1201) (Arabic: ابن الجوزي) was a Muslim jurisconsult, preacher, orator, heresiographer, traditionist, historian, judge, hagiographer, and philologist who played an instrumental role in propagating the Hanbali school of orthodox Sunni jurisprudence in his native Baghdad during the twelfth-century. During "a life of great intellectual, religious and political activity," Ibn al-Jawzi came to be widely admired by his fellow Hanbalis for the tireless role he played in ensuring that that particular school – historically, the smallest of the four principal Sunni schools of law – enjoy the same level of "prestige" often bestowed by rulers on the Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanafi rites.

Ibn al-Jawzi received a "very thorough education" during his adolescent years, and was fortunate to train under some of that era's most renowned Baghdadi scholars, including Ibn al-Zāg̲h̲ūnī (d. 1133), Abū Bakr al-Dīnawarī (d. 1137–8), Sayyid Razzāq Alī Jīlānī (d. 1208), and Abū Manṣūr al-Jawālīkī (d. 1144–5). Although Ibn al-Jawzi's scholarly career continued to blossom over the next few years, he became most famous during the reign of al-Mustadi (d. 1180), the thirty-third Abbasid caliph, whose support for Hanbalism allowed Ibn al-Jawzi to effectively become "one of the most influential persons" in Baghdad, due to the caliph's approval of Ibn al-Jawzi's public sermonizing to huge crowds in both pastoral and urban areas throughout Baghdad. In the vast majority of the public sermons delivered during al-Mustadi's reign, Ibn al-Jawzi often presented a stanch defense of the prophet Muhammad's example, and vigorously criticized all those whom he considered to be schismatics in the faith. At the same time, Ibn al-Jawzi's reputation as a scholar continued to grow due to the substantial role he played in managing many of the most important universities in the area, as well as on account of the sheer number of works he wrote during this period. As regards the latter point, part of Ibn al-Jawzi's legacy rests on his reputation for having been "one of the most prolific writers" of all time. As scholars have noted, Ibn al-Jawzi's prodigious corpus, "varying in length" as it does, touches upon virtually "all the great disciplines" of classical Islamic study.

Reviews

[sawaaiiq · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite books. Filled with benefits and so poignantly and elegantly translated!

Second time reading this:

Much needed words of admonishment, it will affect your heart and its coldness if you let it. May Allah grant us the ability to act!

[Muahid mubashir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ibn al-Jawzi stupified me with his literary style which he bespoke in this prelude as "I intend with this book to be like a pattern sewed on the garment of sermons and gemstone for the ring of speeches whereby its words affect the heart before the hearing." the book is replete with metaphoric and rhetoric language which makes you feel author is directly speaking to you.
Consists of around 50 small chapters where author stresses the central theme of Tazkiya; Controlling our desires, focusing on hereafter & opening our eyes before death. He reprimands the reader to focus on worship by giving plenty of examples from pious predecessors.
Kudos to the translator for his amazing job who expressed how difficult it was to translate this complex book. For instance look how ibn al-jawzi describes the phenomena of rainfall" The Weather garbs itself in the darkest vesture while cavalry of rain approaches, unsheathing swords of lightning. A vagarious stratum of air begins spraying out its troops of breezes, disclosing to the wind the intention of rain. Therefore the clouds borrow the (tearful) eyelids of lovers, & the hands of munificent, causing the valleys to abound with flowing river..." he still goes on for a while. This book consists plenty of similar passages which makes the reader contemplate on the intricacies of life and run towards the forgiveness from Lord.
Author rightfully said "Only those who do not accept the ordinary and low shall enjoy it"
I hope author's censure leaves a mark on my heart for longer time resulting in purifying myself.

[sable · Rating 5 out of 5]

man, this is such a literary masterpiece. metaphor after metaphor, the way he uses the language to give such meaningful reminders

[Ada · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one made me shed some tears out of love. Highly recommend!

[Aroob Abdulaziz · Rating 4 out of 5]

العُمر الذي لا قراءة فيه .. مٌظلم جداً .. حين الانتهاء من كل كتاب تشتاق إلى المزيد من القراءة .. يكون ظمأك شديد لمزيد من المعرفة و العلم والجمال و الإبداع .

[Sultana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, beautifully written.

Only at page 131 he says "Ishaq(Alayhi as-salam) was laid down to be slaughterd" while actually it was Ismail (Alayhi as-salam) who Ibrahim (Alayhi as-salam) was going to sacrifice.

I didnt know that there were different opinions about this subject so i did my own research and as conclusion it was Ismail (Alayhi as-salam) .

**So everyone who reads book about islam should actually understand what they are reading, because there could be some incorrect info that you may skip over.**

[Iqra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Very knowledgeable and beneficial.

[Ahmed Emad · Rating 5 out of 5]

من أمتع كتب المواعظ التي قرأتها .. كتاب لا تكاد تمل من قرائته أبدا لجمال صور المواعظ وقربها وصدقها