The Key to Salvation
By Ibn Ata Allah al-Iskandari
Paperback 270 Pages
Translated by: MARY ANN KOURY-DANNER
Includes Glossary. Bibliography. Index.
Published by The Islamic Text Society, Cambridge UK
This is the first English translation of Miftah al-falah, a thirteenth century Sufi text, written by Ibn Ata Allah, one of the great masters of the Shadhili Sufi order. It is considered to be one of his most important works because it sets out the principles of actual Sufi mystical practices, shedding light on the sacred invocations, and associated practices, such as the spiritual retreat. Written in a clear, lucid style, it offers a glimpse into the Sufi world of the 7th Islamic century and allows us to see almost at first hand how the novice was guided by the Sufi Shaykh and, above all, the purpose and preparation involved in engaging in the invocation, dhikhrullah. Ibn Ata Allah sets out to define it, to explain its nature and power, to show its results and to prove that it is part of the Prophets Sunna, or practice. The author goes to great lengths to point out many Quranic verses where dhikrullah is mentioned and cites many noted authorities.
Mary Ann Koury-Danner, currently Area Specialist for Middle Eastern Studies at Indiana University Library, has already won two awards for this translation. © The Islamic Texts Society 2002
Taj ad-Din Abul-Fadl Ahmad b. Muhammad b. Abd al-Karim b. Ata Allah al-Iskandari, al-Judhami ash-Shadhili, known simply as Ibn Ata Allah, was born in Alexandria, Egypt, as his nisbah indicates, about the middle of the seventh/thirteenth century. His family were renowned Maliki scholars from the Banu Judham tribe, originally from Arabia. His grandfather, Abd al-Karim (d. 612 AH/1216 AD) had distinguished himself as an expert in fiqh, usul (principles of jurisprudence), and Arabic, having studied under the famous Abul-Hasan al-Abyari. He had written several books, among which were al-Bayin wat-Taqrib fi Sharh at-Tahdhib, Mukhtasar at-Tahdhib, and Mukhtasar al-Mufassal, and had been very hostile to Suflism.
Table of Contents
Translators Introduction.
Translation:
1.
On the Nature of Remembrance
2.
Invoking Aloud.
3.
Benefits of Invocation in General.
4.
On the benefits of the Invocations Used by the Novice travelling the path.
5.
On choosing the Type of Remembrance.
6.
The gradual Advance of the Seeker by Means of the Invocations.
7.
On the Invocation During Spiritual Retreat.
8.
The Oneness of God.
9.
Gnosis.
10.
What Initiates on the path Must impress upon themselves
11.
On Explaining Invocations
12.
Remembrance in All Situations and times during the day and the night
13.
Incantations.
Appendix I: Key persons mentioned in the text.
Appendix II: Glossary of terms.
Appendix III: Silsilah of the Shadhili Order.
Bibliography
Index
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