The Secret of Secrets

by Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, Tosun Bayrak (Translation)

An interpretative translation by Shaykh Tosun Bayrak of Sirr al-Asrar by Hadrat Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (1077-1166AD), considered by many to be one of the greatest saints of Islam and the eponymous founder of the Qadiriyya order. This book, appearing in English for the first time, contains the very essence of Sufism, giving a Sufi explanation of how the outward practises of Islam—prayer, fasting, almsgiving and pilgrimage—contain a wealth of inner dimension which must be discovered and enjoyed if external actions are to be performed in a manner pleasing to God. When this is achieved the soul finds true peace and the spiritual life becomes complete.

Genres: Islam, Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Mysticism, Theology

172 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

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

[Umul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book as it gave me a direction as well as encouragement in taking the inner practice on Islamic mysticism. Because it hinted the inner work of islamic practice, so anyone who is practicing Islam or want to learn sufi way of life should read it to get the inner understanding of their practice.

As it mentioned there that without the inner knowledge, practising religion will be like a dead tree, while having the inner knowledge is like breathing the soul into the dead tree... after sometime you can harvest its delicious fruits. It is the sweetness of imaan.

[Prita · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you could get rid
of yourself just once,
The secret of secrets
Would open to you.
The face of the unknown,
Hidden beyond the universe
Would appear on the
Mirror of your perception -Rumi-

[Galih Satria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tasawuf, tapi tetap berpegang erat pada ketentuan syariat. Mengenal Allah melalui cinta kasih-Nya. Perjalanan ruhani tanpa kenal lelah seorang salik menuju kebahagiaan yang hakiki. Setiap kali membaca buku ini, langsung rindu untuk segera bersujud kepada-Nya. Buku yang berat bukan main, tapi worth to read!

[Omar Mohammad · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Sultan of the Awliya writes a book titled "Secret of Secrets" its unsurprising that it might be a bit hard to understand for the uninitiated. So it's definitely not a book I would recommend for the beginner. I found the description of the relation between the Shari'a, Tariqa, and Haqiqa very enlightening.

[Sagheer Afzal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read two of Ibn Arabi's tomes in a hope to gain an insight into the inner world of a mystic. I persevered through his obfuscatory text and got some insight. But Jilani is so much more easier to comprehend. I was pleased to note points of similarity between his theosophy and that of Ibn Arabi. The similar points were:

1) The importance of The Divine Names and how they are hidden within the human psyche.

2) The notion that the human soul is a microcosm of the Divine Names.

3) The miracles of walking on water; travelling great distances through the air, when one has attained the state of trust.

There are some interesting points of dissimilarity. Ibn Arabi and Abdul Qadir Jilani seem to differ in their own descriptons of the mystical realms. According to Ibn Arabi there are six and according to Jilani there are three. Interestinly, Jilani also stresses the point of having a link to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) when undertaking a spiritual journey, whereas Ibn Arabi does not lay the same emphasis on this aspect of mysticism.

Some questionable Hadith are mentioned in Jilani's work such as: "I saw my Lord in the form of a beautiful youth'. But other than that a very comprehensive and accessible read.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this from a mosque bookstall to read while I was in Sarajevo. Never having been exposed to Islam before I was touched by the insight and sensitivity of this book. The same truths as echoed in most spiritual books but there was a sense of personal relationship, an intimacy, that I had not found in print before. I wouldn't call it a favourite of mine not would it turn me to Islam but certainly a worthwhile read if one is prone to mystical exploration.

[Roswitha Muntiyarso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buku pertama saya di 2014. Horeee...
dan kitab klasik pertama yang saya baca pula.

Subhanallah membaca sebuah kitab benar-benar menampar diri. Betapa miskinnya saya, betapa tidak berilmunya saya. Selama ini saya hanyalah mengejar yang di permukaan dan tidaklah mengejar lapis tertinggi dari segala hal.

Buku ini mengulas banyak ayat dengan tafsir seorang sufi dimana kecintaan kepada Allah membuatnya membuat al-Quran benar-benar selayaknya surat cinta, memberikan kesegaran jiwa. Segala macam ibadah kita dibahas satu demi satu mulai dari shalat, sedekah dan naik haji. Apa yang dilakukan para alim ulama dan orang-orang di tingkatan-tingkatan di bawahnya dalam ibadah tersebut. Buku ini juga berulang kali mengingatkan bahwa seorang kekasih Allah pun adalah manusia yang merupakan percampuran sifat yang berlawanan dari Allah. Sifat yang dimiliki syaitan dan juga malaikat sehingga tidaklah layak kita mengutamakan para kekasih Allah ini karena yang dituju hanyalah Allah satu. Buku ini memberitahukan pula bahwa kekasih Allah ini haruslah kita jadikan guru dan tauladan dalam mencari ilmu hakikat dan kedekatannya akan menularkan rasa cinta kepada Allah.

Sungguh buku yang sangat baik untuk dibaca bagi yang ingin menyelami diri lebih dalam. Memaknai hakikat hidup dan menambahkan kedekatan dengan Allah.

[Mark David Vinzens · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Dear Friend, Your Heart is a polished mirror. You must wipe it clean of the veil of dust which has gathered upon it, because it is destined to reflect the light of divine secrets.” ― Shaikh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, The Secret of Secrets

[sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

some basic sufi teachings of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani..i don't know if the "umph" is lost in translation..or am i being disappointed b/c i'm comparing it to ghazali and rumi...or am i missing knowledge that's a pre-req to such reading...probably a combination of all of the above.

[Julmin Taji · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like to have this book for a long time. But there is no available here in western Mindanao Philipines. Can anyone with a good hearted-mind being kind enough to send me one? Hoping for a free one. Salam Duwa'a!

[Umar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masha Allah, subhana Allah. Very nice...what can I say?
Very heavy on the 'batin' (inner) meanings of Islamic practices.

[Smaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

كتاب بسيط الاسلوب وسهل الفهم وغني بالمعلومات وصغير الحجم

[Ahmed Al-Doori · Rating 5 out of 5]

كتاب مهم لمريد السير
تجليات عجيبة وشرح واضح لحقيقة المصطفى (صلى الله عليه وسلم). صعب لمن لم يطلع على اساسيات هذا المشرب اولا

[Hamaad · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Spiritual education is not an easy matter. The material soul is in the body and is educated with it. The place of the spiritual soul is the heart. The place of the sultan-soul is the centre of the heart. The place of the holy spirit is the secret. That secret is a means of relating the truth to the believer. It is an interpreter, translating the truth to the seeker, because that secret belongs to Allah, is close to Him and is His confidant."

Brilliant book on the matters related to the Sufi path. It's very similar to other Sufi books such as The Book of Assistance by Imam Al Haddad, and I appreciate Shaykh's focus on the inner realities of many of the daily rituals we as Muslims practice, be it Salah (prayer) or Wudu (ablution).

Highly recommended to those who are interested in tasawwuf and to those who want a better understanding of the path of the Saints, The Prophets (alaihumus salaam), and ultimately, Allah.

May Allah reward Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani immensely and may He sanctify his noble secrets.

[Zikriyor Bek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very useful book regarding to know secret of secrets. This is a book about the truth of life. In this book there are 24 small chapter which included widely and deeply hikmats.
Wisdomtree is highlighted. Author of the book is one of the key figures of the Islamic world. Famous scholar and Sufi, leader of islamic saints. If you want to know about you, read the book, if you want to get life's secrets then read the book. Follow its advices. Use information. This is not maybe seem to real information, but actually it is the very true book

[Özge Kurbetoglu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am I able to describe how wonderful book is that? I don’t think so.
Its a true path of Allah. There is a travelling in you. From pray to pilgrimage, ilim(knowledge) to seclusion, it was totally beneficial for our souls.
It shows how al-Jilani was a master of knowledge and wisdom. May Allah bless of souls of the Prophet Mohammed then others, and all the companion of him and Allah.

[Muhammad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ilmu tanpa iman semata mata terasa hambar. Keislaman seorang hamba diuji dengan tahapan dalam rukun iman. Semakin kuat zikir akan semakin mendekatkan diri kepada pencipta. Peran mursyid lekat dalam memandu muridan hingga ke tahap fana hingga terpeliharanya sifat bijak

[Noriaty Hairal - Araham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect

[NKay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan. Not easy to read both due to complex ideas and not clearly nor accurately translated. Too much artistic licence of the translator. One good thing I got from it was to increase my dikhr.

[Airaology · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

The traveller is on a path because there is a place to which he wishes to go.

[Uki Esa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku ini sangat bagus, terjemahan dari kitab Sirrul asrar. Tapi sebelum membaca buku ini sebaiknya lebih dulu membaca kitab Fashl al-Maqal & kitab Al-Kasyf’an ibnu Rusyd.

[Fahima Khan Etha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate a lot of ideas and stories in the book; however the translation is affected by author’s own belief which may be not the original meaning.

[Saleha Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had been looking for this book for quite a long time. I am glad to finally have found a ebook on it! This book was illuminating. I enjoyed reading the life of Abdul Qadir Jillani (RA) and the experience and lessons they posed us. Even though that was just the opening editors note on his biography.

The book contents were deep and meaningfully. It provided insight on the life of Islamic mysticism. On how to improve to find the secret.

I believe I would have to come back again and again to this book to fully understand and apply it in my life.

[Keefe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buku yang benar-benar mengungkap tabir rahasia misteri kehidupan! Awalnya, cover buku ini terlihat biasa saja, namun ternyata saat membacanya mulai dari Bab Pendahuluan, wow luar biasa. Konten ilmu dalam buku ini diperoleh dari Syekh Abdul Qadir al-Jalaini, ditulis oleh pendengar dakwahnya. Beliau adalah sosok seperti juga para sufi dan rumi, yang diijinkan Allah SWT untuk mengetahui banyak rahasia penciptaan di bumi, alam semesta, dan kehidupan yang bahkan tertutup tabir. Beliau sangat memahamai hakikat jalan kebenaran. Untuk menuju jalan cahaya, seseorang harus menjadi bagian dari cahaya itu sendiri.

Buku ini sangat berbeda dari kebanyakan literatur spiritual atau buku Islami lainnya yang hanya membahas hal yang sering mengulang-ulang topik sejak bangku sekolah. Konten tulisan buku seperti ini memang langka.

Buku ini sangat direkomendasikan bagi mereka pencari jalan kebenaran, dan yang ingin berada di jalan cahaya ☆☆☆☆☆

[Aisha Afzal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I’m not even worthy to give a review as my mind can’t even comprehend the true message given by the esteemed Shaykh; but I guess that’s the beauty of these texts. Everyone will take something away, all dependant on the capacity of their brain, and how far in comprehension it can go. Some little, but to them it’ll seem like an ocean, not knowing that the ocean they feel like they’ve received from the text is in fact just a mere drop; I feel like one of those people. I’ve started reading the book, and already I feel like an ocean moving inside me. I feel the serenity and the depth of the ocean filling up within, yet I know, I can’t even begin to comprehend the true gravity of its meaning.

I will say though, it’s not a book for everyone. You have to be aware to some extent about the principles of Sufism, and be familiar with its teaching; otherwise, you’ll find yourself lost.

[Mielad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book for the inner spiritual development. What does it mean to be a Waliullah? The actions and life of Abdul Qadr Jilani I glossed over somewhat, but the actual chapters about our mental and spiritual level and how to enlighten and further our resolve for the higher is fantastically written and for the average Sunni out there provides a very different yet orthodox approach towards our beliefs and principles. Not a beginners book, but a must read IMHO.

[Faiz Azizan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep. New. Eye and heart opening. Do not expect a simplicity in this book eventhough it does look simple. You need to be focussed when your read. Only then you would feel what he is trying to say. Very deep tho. Not for amateurs who do not have much knowledge on Islam and those who are not opened to the 'mystical side' of Islam

[Rizal Khaefi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Menjadi kewajipan bagi setiap insan untuk mencari dan mengenali atau mengetahui tujuan dia diciptakan dan menghayati maksud tujuan tersebut. Apa sebenarnya kewajiban kita di dalam dunia ini dan di akhirat, supaya kita tidak habiskan usia di dalam kerugian dan penyesalan kelak. Buku ini mencoba menelaah dan membantu memahami perihal tersebut sesuai syariat yang telah ditetapkanNya.

[Merima Smajic · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not for amateurs. It delves into the path of the Sufi and gives very useful and wise advice on what not to do.
Cleansing the self of ego and fake- ness is of utmost importance.
3.5stars. Little bit out of my depth I must admit. Best to read it once one reaches a certain level.