Book review 2: Madarij al Salikeen by Ibn al Qayim
June 16, 2008 - الاثنين 12 جمادى الثانية 1429 by Anwar alAwlaki
Filed under Book Reviews
Madarij al Salikeen by Ibn al Qayim:
This is a three Volume book which represents one of the greatest works
produced on the topic of spirituality. I had already read the book a
long time ago and was fascinated by it. When I was in jail and was
thinking about what books to order when I would be allowed to do so,
this book seemed to be the right thing to read in my present
circumstances. Steadfastness was what was needed now, and steadfastness
was a deed of the heart, so it was the heart that I should focus on.
When the opportunity arrived and I was allowed to order books it was on the top of my reading list.
The author starts by giving tafsir of surat al Fatiha. The rest of the
book are the stages that the traveller moves through in “إياك نعبد
وإياك نستعين” “You do we worship and You do we seek help from” [Fatiha,
v5]
The book is based on a book written by Abu Ismail al-Ansari al-Harawi
al-Sufi who was a Hanbali scholar from Hirat in modern day Afghanistan.
The name of his book is Manazil al-Sa’ireen (the Stations of the
Travellers). Imam Abu Ismail named one hundred stations that the
traveller during his journey to Allah passes through.
The first station is “al-Yaqadhah” “The Waking up” This is when the
heart wakes up from the slumber of unawareness. The next station is the
station of “Azm” “The Resolve,” after the heart has woken up it decides
to embark on its journey towards Allah.
Some of the stations that he mentions: The station of Fear, Repentance,
Observation, Hope, Sincerity, Purification, Trust, Submission,
Fortitude, Gratitude, Will, Certainty, Trust, Knowledge, Wisdom,
Tranquillity, Purity, Drowning, Absence, Life, and Love.
The language of ibn al Qayim in his books is eloquent. But in this book
his language is so high class that it represents the peak of his
writing. This book is simply untranslatable. The terminology that he
uses and the fascinating way of putting the concepts together would
make any translation lose a portion of its beauty during the process.
Now I don’t mean here by eloquence the beauty of the words and the use
of a flowery style of writing but I mean the ability of the author to
express complicated thoughts and sophisticated concepts, and what would
otherwise be difficult to express, into readable words that not only
are understood by the reader but captivate him and make him feel that
the author is reading his inner thoughts and is seeing through into the
depths of his heart to see his ailment and prescribe the cure.
Ibn al Qayim after mentioning the verses of Quran and hadiths blends
his words with the words of Abu Ismail al-Ansari , whom he would refer
to as shaykh-ul-Islam, along with the sayings of the great scholars of
the heart such as: al Junaid, AbdulQadir al Jaylaani, al Tasturi, and
al Fudhail bin Iyadh.
There are so many words of wisdom and valuable teachings in this book that are waiting to be observed and lived by.
May Allah bless us all and provide us with wisdom and guide us to
righteous acts. We ask Allah to shower his mercy upon our great
scholars whom Allah has made the instruments of teaching us the truth
and guiding us towards the straight path. Ameen
Next: In the Shade of the Quran by Sayyid Qutb
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Aslaam Alykum Shaykh
You also attended the station of Yusuf al Islam
As you beautifully put it “The University of Sayyidna Yusuf”
This is one my favourite quotes mentioned in the book your reviewing
Ibn Al-Qayyim:
“So, this strangeness does not result in any loneliness for its possessor. In fact, he is as happy and sociable as can be when he abandons the deviant people, and as lonely as can be when he socializes with them. So, his allies are Allah, His Messenger, and the believers, even if the majority of the people oppose him and push him aside…”
Allahu Akber! Allahu Akber! Allahu Akber!
May Allah keep you steadfast on the Haq (Ameen)
ALLAHU AKBER, May Allah allow those in the west who dont not know Arabic learn it in order for the doors of knowledge to be widly open for us too. May Allah bless you sheikh and grant you nothing but the best inshAllah.
Salaam Alykum Shaykh how are you doing. I would like to ask that you make a lecture series about Madarij al Salikeen by Ibn al Qayim in English some time soon if its not any trouble. It would really help since you are such a good teacher. salamoo alakum
Asalaamualaikum,
Im guessing this book is in arabic only
Looks like my arabic class better start kicking it into high gear because Im missing out
Jazakallah Khair Shaykh
Assalam Alaikum Shaykh.
Jazakullah Khairan
…someone suggested a series on this book… I know that would probably take forever, but perhaps a summary… to benefit all of the non-Arabic speaking brothers/sisters inshaa’Allaah.
اسالام عليكم ورحمة الله
Imam, I would agree with Br. Mohammed that, if it is possible, can you please do a lecture series on the heart and its diseases and cures. May Allah bless you, and give you the greatest of rewards.
Jazakallah Khair
Assalamu alaykum
DjazakAllaahu ghairan and I do look forward to your thoughts on the next book.
I allso have a short question Wich I hope you will answer, may Allah preserve you, and that is if tulaab al-’ilm are welcome to studie under you in Jemen.
BarakAllaahu feek.
Wa salaam
assalamu alaikum,
JazakAllahu Khair for this, I also agree in that, if time permits, please do a lecture series on this insha Allah.
Also, Shaykh, do you know if this book has been translated into english: Haadi al-Arwaah ilaa Bilaad il-Afraah, By: Ibn al-Qayyim?
Assalamu Alaikum Wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu.
Alhamdullilaah
If it by any chance is possible to do a lecture on this book then by allah this will be very beneficial for the muslims. Allah reward you for all your efforts. Remember me in your duas.
assalamu alaikum shiekh I do agree with brother Mohamed to do a lecture series on this great book by such a great scholar ibn al Qayim
salam shiekh i would like to thank u because ur such a good shiykh and ask of u to do a recording about this book salam
Here are some extracts from ‘Madarij al Salikeen’ translated in to english:
http://kalamullah.com/Books/Madarij-us-Salikeen.pdf
Assalamu Alaikum Wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu.
Sheikh there has been an extract taken out of Al Madaarijus Saalikeen which has been Translated by Taalib Ibn Tyson Al’Britaanee. Its a series I think they are doing on the purification of the soul. This book of 49 pages its called “Az-Zuhd” I I thought maybe the brothers and sisters might like to know.
Remember me in your duas
Asalaamu Alaykum Imam Anwar, i have always been interested in your work and wondered where you had gone. I came across your website, subhanAllah, i check it everyday now.
May Allah bless you, make sure if you come back to the US to speak you announce it on the site. I know Brothers that will travel wherever to hear you.
Asalaamu Alaykum
HAMZA
alhamdulilah keep up the good, in a time of ignorance we should be delighted to have enlightened sheikh like you
Assalamu alaikum warahmatullah,
Since there are more and more comments being made under the blog posts, and sometimes not related to the post, can I suggest if it is possible to setup a forum? Where we could discuss on various topics? It’s not necessary that the Sheikh be actively involved in the forum. But perhaps when he has a time he could participate too.
The main objective of the discussion forum would be to collect like minded muslims all over the world in one place.
I hope admins of this site and Sheikh would support this idea. If you need help setting up the form, do let me know. Inshallah I will help.
Wassalam.
Assalamualaikum shaykh. What other books do you recommend that deal with purifying the soul. JazakAllah
Brs and Sisters I had the idea of doing a series on this book something like 10 years ago and never came around doing it. I see it as a bit of a daunting task but it is still doable. If Allah wills maybe a mini-series would do.
Jazakallahu khair Sheikh. May Allah Reward you inshAllah.
bareek allah Feeik sheikh. Inshallah I think the idea of a small mini series is excellent, I sometimes think people are run off by lenghty series, and are more patient toward small ones and allah A3lam Asallam uh alykum
we all need cure from desease of heart…
JzakAllah its a good idea
JazaakAllah khairan Shaykh. I hope and pray Allah gives you the strength to do a series of talks on this book.
slm alkm br Anwar,Brs&Sis in Islam n all visitors this of kher site.Like you mentioned in one of your Lecture,Ummah needs everything today.I recommend my Brs&Sis to refer some of your previous work like Al Akhera, if one can keep raise consciousness about death,time spent in the grave and Judgment day,this can be a good dose to clense the heart.Another Lecture that has been always good dose for all the time is “25 Promises of Allah to the Believers”- listen careful and take the note of each and every promise,
Brs&Sis have you taken the note of dua of the Sh Anwar is giving in the begining or the end his lectures including frm his written articles? I find these duah are very essential spiritually.
May Allah benefit the Ummah frm the work of Sh Anwar and many like him dedicated their life to serve the Ummah.
Asalam alekum brother awlaki
I would like to ask … for Life of Muhammad(salalaho alehe wasalam) madinan period … Last part after banu qurayza…. may Allah subhanahu wataala give you strength to finish that series also.
ameen
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah
Sheikh, firstly may Allah bless you for all your efforts and for this piece in particular.
But I had a question which I have been meaning to ask for some time as I often get asked this:
What does a person need to be able to do tadabbur (reflect) upon the Quran? ie Do we say that it is impossible for a layman who doesn’t know arabic to reflect upon anything beyond a surface and very superficial level; and likewise for others who know arabic – can they not do this Reflection(Tadabbur) except with the aid of books of Tafseer?
We get asked that if that is the case, are we not narrowing down those who can approach the Quran so drammatically?
JazakAllahu khairan
Wassalamu alaykom
Assalamu alaikum.
Can i get a translated copy of this book? I have looked for it @ darussalam and al basheer but i could not get one.
Assalaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmat Allahi Wa Barakatuh
Its nice to be able to leave you messages ya shaikh. May Allah swt guide us all to the path of unity.
Wallahi in the west the hardest thing for us is to remain pure due to the overwhelming amount of zina and sin openly on display in society.
In my veiw the greatest threat in the west for brothers and sisters who understand tawheed and its implications is the threat of a black heart which cannot see the haqq anymore.
From my own experience, my sins have made me forget a great deal of evidences from the Qur’an and Sunnah and really destroyed me in many ways.
I pray to Allah (swt) that you can find time to do a series of talks on either madaarijus saalikeen or Tazkiyatan Nufous by Ibn Rajab Al Hanbali (rA).
Jazaak Allahu Khair
Assalamualaikum wr wb
Jazakallahu khairan to the brother who gave us the add to download the book translated by Al-Jumuah.
To the shaikh, I’m going through the translated version of the book, could you please highlight more the difference between the station of khauf and khashiya as described under the station of fear.
Jazakallahu khairan.
Shiekh, May Allah bless you and reward you abundantly. I am wondering if you would accept students like me to study under your guidance in Yemen.
Assalamalykum
Subhannallah I was reading an extract from the book “madarij us salikeen” on the section of “Repentance” it was so touching subhanallah imagine reading it in the arabic language! Im fully determine to study the arabic language we all should do!
Imaam Anwar, May Allah Reward you and may Allah make your intension for his sake and for his pleasure ameen (:
eagerly waiting for mini series to start inshallah
Salamu allah 3alayk Shaykh. Orido an aqul ini Ohiboka fee Lah
salam shaykh your name and my name are same i love you 4 sake of allah
AlMaghrib Institute teaches this book in one of their class..you can check the description of class on their site.
http://www.almaghrib.org/seminar_hc.php
Jazaakum Allah khairan, may Allah make it easy for you to do a series on this book. We would greatly appreciate something from you in this subject. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help. Salaamu Alikum
please i need some islamic literatures to read. if i can get some 4rm u i will be very grateful masallam
السلام عليكم
May Allah Bless you Shiekh Anwar and reward you for your efforts,i ask you for more lectures Shiekh we are in need of weekley uptades Sheikh,i mean if we look at the media we see weekly shows of songs etc so why cant it be the opposite !!
and to everyone who commented on this site including me and the visitors who are reading the comments and who came across this comment please please spread this site to all the people you know and take part in propogating Islam…May Allah Bless you.
Jazakallah khayram shaykh anwar hafithakallah mina dawagheet ajma’een.
Does anyone know if there is a translation of this book. I only have the arabic at home with me.Please let me know?
wassalamu alaykum
Impatiently waiting for mini series to start
inshallah