Purification of the Mind Jila' Al-Khatir

by Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, Shetha al-Dargazelli (Translator), Louay Fatoohi (Translator)

This book contains discourses that Shaikh ‘Abd Al-Qadir Al-Jilani delivered at his school in Baghdad. As in all of his sermons and writings, the Shaikh explains in these discourses to his audience how to draw nearer to God. His words are the fruit of years of personal strife against his lower self and complete dedication to God, thus telling the fascinating story of his attainment to nearness to God.

The Shaikh addresses many spiritual diseases — such as envy, greed, arrogance, and attachment to this world — and the qualities that the seeker of God must acquire — such as love, renunciation, humility, satisfaction, patience, and truthfulness. He explains in a simple but very powerful and effective way to the wayfarers how to have their spiritual diseases healed and what qualities they need to acquire for their journey to God. The Shaikh’s words and advice are not targeted at certain people, but they address various spiritual states and stations. His words provide a drink for everyone who thirsts for knowledge that takes him nearer to his Lord.

Genres: Islam, Religion, Mysticism

303 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 1997

About the author

عبد القادر الجيلاني
Syekh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani dilahirkan pada tahun 470 Hijriah (1077-78 Masehi) di daerah yang bernama Al-Jil di Parsi (sekarang Iran). Beliau berpulang ke Rahmatullah pada tahun 561 Hijriah (1166 Masehi) pada saat berusia 91 tahun. Sufi besar ini disemayamkan di kawasan Madrasah Bab ad-Daraja di Bagdad. Makam ini menjadi tempat yang paling populer dikunjungi oleh para Sufi dan umat Islam dari seluruh penjuru dunia.

Reviews

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shaikh Jilani is without question one of the most influential historical Sufi masters. Two other names commonly mentioned with the same level of influence are Shaikh Junayd of Baghdad and Shaikh Ibn Al-Arabi of Andalusia. Rumi would rank up there as well. As is common with great Sufi masters, various myths and legends around the life of Jilani have been transmitted over the centuries, and one of these surrounds his refusal as an infant to suckle during the day in Ramadan.

This collection of discourses is one of the most popular from Shaikh Jilani. It is divided into 45 sections, which in turn cover various areas of the Way, including the remembrance of death, pride, envy, striving against the lower self, spending on the poor, truthfulness, prohibition of injustice, etc… Each section contains short statements of wisdom from Shaikh Julani, which as presented in this translation make for perfect reading as daily devotional exercises. This is the kind of book that can serve as a foundational source for following the Islamic path with information basic enough for the laymen yet also possessed of the most profound knowledge due to its level of truth. The states and stations described by Jilani are indescribable by nature, and the Sufi considers it impermissible because inaccurate to attempt to describe them: “ O Allah, I apologize to you for speaking about these secrets, but You know that I am overwhelmed.”

Shaikh Jilani’s disciples formed the Qadiri Sufi order, and many Sufis today trace their spiritual ancestry back to Jilani.

[Ceri and Rumaysa Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me nearly two years to get through this book. Each discourse is so heavy with meanings that I would have to put the book down and allow myself considerable time to reflect upon it. Highly recommended but heavy going.

[SHAHRIYAR Qadiri]

how to read this