Spiritual Disease and It’s Cure
The Imam was asked a long question of which a part was – What is the opinion of the scholars regarding a man who is afflicted by a disease, and knows that if it should continue it would damage his life? The Imam Quoted the Hadith from Sahih Bukhari The prophet (S) said: ‘Allah has appointed a remedy for every disease He has sent down’ Imam Ahmad reported on the authority of Usamah bin Shareek that the ‘ Prophet (S) said Allah has not made a disease without providing a remedy for it, wih the exception of one disease, namely old age’ This Applies to the medicine for the heart, soul and body. The well being of the servant’s heart, is far more important than that of his body, for while the well being of his body enables him to lead a life that is free from illnesses in this world, that of the heart ensures him both a fortunate life in this world and eternal bliss in the next.
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya was born into a scholarly and virtuous family in 691 AH/ 1292 A.D. At that time Damascus was a centre of literature and thought. Many schools were located there and he studied and graduated under the protection, direction and sponsorship of his father. He was particularly influenced by his Shaykh and teacher Imam Ibn Taymiyyah, and also by Ibn ash-Shirazi amongst others. Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya died in the city of Damascus the year 751 AH/1350 C.E.,when he was scarcely 60 years old, and was buried at the cemetery of Bab- al-Saghir, near the grave of his father – Rahimahuma Allah.
Tawbah : Turning to Allah in Repentance
Every human is susceptible to make mistake. The Qur’an gives them hope and teaches them to ask Allah to take care of them and guide them to the right path. Tawbah : Turning To Allah In Repentance by Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah deals with spiritual side of tawbah without neglecting the physical requirement and conditions. It is taken from the book Madarij Al-Salikin Bayn Manazil Iyyaka Na’budu Wa Iyyaka Nasta’in (The Stages of the travellers Between the Stations of Only you We Worship and Only you We Seek Help From),which is one of Ibn Qayyim’s best works. Sapported with extracts from the Qur’an and quotes from the mesanger of Allah ﷺ,the auther deals with apparent and deeper aspects of repentance, and the true essence of repentance and its conditions.
Trials and Tribulations
These two treatises deal with the issue of trials and tribulation, extremely essential for every Muslim especially in the times that we are living in today. People often see, and hear of, the believers being afflicted with adversity and tribulation, and conversely they often see, and hear of the disbelievers attaining leadership and wealth in this world. This leads them to mistakenly believe that well-being in this world is only reserved for the disbelievers. A believer may face many trials and tribulations that test his faith, patience and endurance. In a world full of conflict and war, with many also suffering from personal and family problems, shaytan causes a person to question many things. If a Muslim is tried with a difficulty, then the reasons for this are many – including one’s own sin, which arise from leaving something obligated in Islam or comitting an act that is prohibited. Trials are also a means of Allaah purifying and aiding His servants, ennobling them and granting well-being through His Wisdom. The most severely of those who were tried were the Prophets and then those closest to them in following their guidance.