"Stay cautious of your ego. No trial has afflicted you except through it. Do not make peace with it, for by God, no one can bring honor to it except one who has humiliated it, and no one can bring greatness to it except one who has made it insignificant and submissive, and no one can make it whole except one who has broken it, and no one can bring rest to it except one who has exhausted it, and no one can bring security to it except one who has frightened it, and no one can bring happiness to it except one who has brought sadness to it."This book provides a wide selection of quotations taken from ten of the best books of Ibn al-Qayyim (full name Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah), famous Medieval jurist and spiritual writer, translated into easy, accessible English for the modern reader.

This book, Al-Fawa'id: A Collection Of Wise Sayings is one the well-known compilations of Imam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya, who is well known by the name Ibn Al-Qayim (may Allah have mercy upon him). This blessed book is not like others that simply contain sections, chapters and themes, but it consists of the elevated thoughts that Allah, Exalted be He, bestows upon some of His servants as he wills. So whenever any of these scattered pearls of wisdom occurred to the Imam, he would immediately record them. Whenever something came to his mind, he would record it, and whenever he learned a lesson or anything crucial in his life, he would illuminate the lines of his page with the ink of his pen. This book consists of landmarks of guidance and light, and the firebrands of piety that Ibn Al-Qayyim pondered in the fields of piety, asceticism and vivid exhortation towards the truth. He focuses on the role and duty of the hearts, and makes them clear to us to the extent that we are moved and motivated to learn and practice them. He explains to us the diseases of the heart so we may know how to avoid and overcome them.

"Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya on Knowledge: from Key to the Blissful Abode (Miftah Dar al-Sa'ada) is an abridgement of the first volume of Key to the Blissful Abode, a popular title by the renowned theologian and jurist Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya. In it, Ibn Qayyim focuses on the importance of knowledge and willpower, as means through which a person may attain Paradise. Willpower is the door and knowledge in particular knowledge which pertains to God and His Attributes, the Qur'an and the example of the Prophet—is the key. Ibn Qayyim discusses the virtues and benefits of knowledge over wealth and worldly matters; the path to knowledge; the importance of pursuing knowledge and applying it in order to achieve guidance from God and protect oneself from doubts; the superiority of the scholar over the worshipper; the necessity of using knowledge and willpower as the bases for all actions if one is to achieve spiritual bliss. Ibn Qayyim then concludes Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya on Knowledge: from Key to the Blissful Abode, by discussing the importance of contemplation and reflection in order to attain further knowledge and guidance"--front flap.

The renowned theologian and jurist Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya (d.1350) wrote numerous titles, many of which are still popular today. Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya on Divine Wisdom and the Problem of Evil is a translation of selections from two of Ibn Qayyim's books: Key to the Blissful Abode and Remedy for Those who Question on Matters Concerning Divine Decree, Predestination, Wisdom and Causality. Ibn al-Qayyim first discusses twenty-six wise purposes behind God creating humanity and settling them on Earth. His perspective is that whatever exists in this world is either purely or preponderantly good, or indirectly leads to a greater good.

On Islam.

Ibn al-Qayyim said: "Get up (and hurry) in entering upon Allah and accompanying Him in the Home of Peace, without any tiredness, hardship or fatigue, but in fact by the nearest of paths and the easiest (of them). And this is (by realizing) that you are in a time between two times which is (what constitutes) your life, and this is the present time which is between what has passed and what is yet to come. Then that which has passed, you can correct by repentance, remorse and seeking forgiveness. This is something in which there will be no tiredness, fatigue, or any straining efforts (required on your behalf). It is (nothing but) the action of the heart ... And there is due from the servant to Allah, in every moment from his time, servitude which will advance him or bring him nearer to Allah. So if he spends his time in servitude to Allah, he will advance to His Lord and if he busies himself with desires, or relaxation or inactivity, he will lag behind. And the servant never ceases either to be moving forward or falling behind, and there is no stopping whilst on the path, ever." Every harm that enters upon a servant, is caused by the heart's corruption. The corruption of the heart in turn brings about the removal of the heart's right upon Allah, the Exalted, and a diminution of its degree and rank in the sight of Allah.

"Be glad if you sense a darkness in your heart after (sinning), for if there was no light in your heart, you would not be able to sense the darkness." --Ibn al-JawziAbul Faraj Ibn al-Jawzi is one of the greatest and most prolific writers in Islamic history, belonging to the era of the Islamic Golden Age. His writings have inspired and guided generations of Islamic scholars and ordinary Muslims for centuries. A Beautiful Path to God is a collection of quotations from Ibn al-Jawzi's best-known books, selected to provide a beneficial and heart-touching mixture of inspiring reminders, snippets of rare and beautiful insights, and guidance toward living a balanced spiritual life modeled after the life of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and his Companions.Among the topics covered are: How to increase one's piety and dedication to God. Avoiding common pitfalls suffered on one's spiritual journey. Purifying one's intentions from pride and the desire to show off. Balancing the present-life with the afterlife, neglecting the rights and duties of neither. The book can be read from start to finish or browsed at random. Helpful footnotes are provided to explain technical points and provide background information where necessary.