Here are some brief words from Imam Ibn al-Qayyim about missed opportunities and squandering benefits. The Qur'an says: Say: 'Shall We tell you whose works will bring the greatest loss?' Those who efforts have been wasted in the life of this world whilst thinking they were doing good. [18:103-4] There are people whose smug self-righteousness is so…
Ma‘rifah: Getting to Know God
When we compare our lifespans, wherein our lives unfold, to the age of the earth or to the visible universe of nearly fourteen billion years, it seems less significant than a drop of water in an endless ocean. To today’s materialists, life holds little significance beyond that of selfish genes and chance mutations (or of exploitation and unfettered consumption).…
Recognise Beauty & Perfection: Grow in Divine Love
What is love? How is it to be defined? Can it be defined? Can love really be put into words? There are profounder questions still for believers, like what is love of God? And how can we nurture God's love in our hearts? In fact, to say that this is Man's greatest existential question would, in all likelihood, be an…
Prepare to Receive the Fragrance of Fasting
As the month of Ramadan fast approaches, and as Muslims the world over await its arrival in joyous anticipation, here is a short piece by Ibn al-Qayyim to help prepare its welcome. He says, while commenting on the following hadith: ♦ ‘God enjoins upon you the fast. Indeed, the likeness of that is as a…
The Gift of the One to Man
In this enchanting piece of writing, taken from his slim anthology of miscellaneous spiritual benefits, Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah discusses the preeminence of Adam, peace be upon him, over the rest of creation. At the centre of this Adamic distinction are the twin gifts of: Then God fashioned him, and breathed into him of His spirit.…