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The Lives of Man: A Guide to the Human States: Before Life, In the World, and After Death
A dramatic exposition of the classical Muslim division of human life into five stages: before conception, life in the world, life in the grave, the resurrection, and heaven or hell. Extensive Qur'anic and Hadith references explain the condition of the soul at each stage.
97 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 28, 2022
A short work about the life stages of human beings according to Islamic eschatology. It comes highly recommended by Abdul Hakim Murad and others, though it was written many hundreds of years ago for a different time and audience. The book draws from authenticated hadith and verses of the Quran and synthesizes their perspective on the subject of mortality, the afterlife, and the obligations and capacities of human beings at different stages of their existence. It’s difficult for a mind conditioned by modernity to understand some of the descriptions of paradise and other metaphysical concepts here. As such I would highly recommend people to read Muhammad Asad’s commentary on these subjects to understand what exactly is being described here and elsewhere in terms of metaphysical descriptions of the afterlife.
October 29, 2012
Abdal Hakim Murad sums up the book beautifully
"Imam Al-Hadad's purpose in the Lives is to remind Muslims of the fact of death and the judgement, but it is also written to help us to remind ourselves. It is not simply a list of the delights and suffering which lie beyond death, or a moralizing condemnation of sin. It is far more intelligent, and far more human."
The Imam draws a lot of stuff from Imam Ghazali (RA) and talks about each human state in detail. The book is pretty short about 87 pages but gets quite heavy and burdensome as you move on so not something to finish in one sitting if you're looking to benefit from it. Overall a really good book that I am glad I came across.
"Imam Al-Hadad's purpose in the Lives is to remind Muslims of the fact of death and the judgement, but it is also written to help us to remind ourselves. It is not simply a list of the delights and suffering which lie beyond death, or a moralizing condemnation of sin. It is far more intelligent, and far more human."
The Imam draws a lot of stuff from Imam Ghazali (RA) and talks about each human state in detail. The book is pretty short about 87 pages but gets quite heavy and burdensome as you move on so not something to finish in one sitting if you're looking to benefit from it. Overall a really good book that I am glad I came across.
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August 10, 2023Wisdoms and reminders are found herein. As Muslims, we often don't truly grasp the bigger picture of our being Muslim and alive in this world and this book wonderfully explains it. There's a lot to ponder upon when reading this book.
September 19, 2016
Magnificent!
August 21, 2007
By Allah, this was an amazing, inspiring book.It has become one of my favorites. It's not a book I could read entirely in one sitting, and that is because the more you read the more burdensome it is.
It mentions the different stages of life, what comes with each stage, starting from before one was born, to the end when one will be in either Jannah or Jahannam eternally. Wow! May Allah protect us all and forgive us for being ungrateful towards Him! Aameen!
It mentions the different stages of life, what comes with each stage, starting from before one was born, to the end when one will be in either Jannah or Jahannam eternally. Wow! May Allah protect us all and forgive us for being ungrateful towards Him! Aameen!
August 31, 2020
i had goosebumps reading some parts of it. a short book but with numerous insights of the journey of man from birth till life after death.
ps.make sure you have some sticky notes with you when you’re reading this.
ps.make sure you have some sticky notes with you when you’re reading this.
June 13, 2024
4.5 stars! disagreed with one of the things in this book (worshipping at mazars)
January 25, 2022
I read this part of a course I did based on this very book. It awakens the soul to meaning of this life as well as its fragility and temporal moment.
For anyone looking to reignite their soul to the meaning of their life this will truly awaken it and push one towards righteous actions before the curtain comes down.
For anyone looking to reignite their soul to the meaning of their life this will truly awaken it and push one towards righteous actions before the curtain comes down.
January 4, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A simple enough read that breaks down the different stages of our lives, what we will encounter & how we should act accordingly. A stark reminder of what awaits us.
A slight issue is that sources are not always provided for Hadith & scholarly opinions.
A slight issue is that sources are not always provided for Hadith & scholarly opinions.
April 6, 2013
Like a lot of the Imams work this book is easy to read, short but full of insight. The last sections serve of an excellent reminder of what's to come and why we should strive to do good in this world.
February 14, 2020
Imam Al-Haddad's concise explanation of the different phases of man is absolutely outstanding. The Imam talks about the first stage being to be in the realm of the souls where Allah created all souls and took a covenant from them. The second phase is the life on earth after Prophet Adam Alaihi Salaam and Sayidatina Hawa came down to earth from heaven. This second phase is the most critical of all stages of man, where the impending paradise or severe punishment in hell will be a direct consequence of conducts in the present life. The ‘Barzakh’ is the phase between the present life and judgement day. This is where man will be placed right after death. In this realm, if things are calm, peaceful and bliss, then what is to come on judgement day will better than what is experienced. If there is torment in the ‘Barzakh’ phase, then what is to come will be harder than what is faced in this stage. Imam Al Haddad said that this fourth stage is a lot closer to our concluding state whether we will be placed in Paradise or the Hell-Fire. This fourth phase starts from the day of resurrection until our deeds and actions are judged, and an ultimate verdict is issued by Allah the Al-Mighty God as to where we are ordained to be. In the final phase, it will be a perpetual state of bliss in Paradise for the faithful and righteous or the eternal state of torment, agony and remorse for the sinners, rebels and transgressors.
June 7, 2017
The Lives of Man: A Guide to the Human States: Before Life, In the World, and After Death by Imam Abdallah Ibn Alawi Al-Haddad is an explication of how Islam views the different stages a human being undergoes in life and after death.
Although relatively short in length (approximately 90 pages), the book is intense. The life of the human being is divided into 5 stages: before conception to birth; life in this world until death; life in the grave until the resurrection; from the time of the resurrection until one enters the Garden (Paradise) or the Fire (Hell); and entrance into the Garden or Fire. The final stage lasts for all eternity. Each stage can have subdivisions and different states within it.
Imam Al-Haddad supports his explication with frequent and extensive references to the Qur’an and Hadiths. This is not a quick or easy read, but it is an essential read for anyone interested in learning how one of the world’s major monotheistic religions envisions the stages humans experience in life and after death.
Although relatively short in length (approximately 90 pages), the book is intense. The life of the human being is divided into 5 stages: before conception to birth; life in this world until death; life in the grave until the resurrection; from the time of the resurrection until one enters the Garden (Paradise) or the Fire (Hell); and entrance into the Garden or Fire. The final stage lasts for all eternity. Each stage can have subdivisions and different states within it.
Imam Al-Haddad supports his explication with frequent and extensive references to the Qur’an and Hadiths. This is not a quick or easy read, but it is an essential read for anyone interested in learning how one of the world’s major monotheistic religions envisions the stages humans experience in life and after death.
December 14, 2023
This book gave insight to deep spiritual realities which makes one re think his own physical realities. Through understanding the many lives of man and the judgment day it pushes one to change daily practices and prevent one from falling prey to the ego. It promotes steps to change to create a better physical and metaphysical environment.
July 19, 2017
One of the best books I have read so far. Alhamdulihlah. May Allah bless Imam Al Haddad and Sheikh Mostafa Al Badawi and everyone who helped in making the translation come to life. JazakAllah khairan
December 6, 2020
Beautiful and short description of the Quranic and prophetic views on the lives of man, but there are Hadiths that have weak chains when it talks about certain details of after death life and the day of rising, enjoyed reading it! And it is a great read for anyone who’s new to the islamic beliefs
March 13, 2018
Excellent short visit through the five stages of life of a human according to Islam.
June 2, 2021
A must read.
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July 13, 2021reread
August 24, 2021
A short book, packed full of wisdom. This is one that should be reread many times!
November 19, 2021
This book will Wake the Soul up from it's Heedlessness.
November 19, 2022
Awesome. A book I wish I read ages ago.
March 27, 2024
One of the most amazing books I have ever read. Short but incredibly dense: full of gems and lot to ponder and reflect upon!
May 2, 2024
Extremely straightforward. Gives you a wealth of wisdom and motivation. Is definitely one read every year to set your affairs in order.
May 21, 2024
really short and concise read, which i appreciated, because it was TERRIFYING. a terrifying, but much needed reminder of what our purpose is. really good book
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August 18, 2021A beautiful yet short book. I had to pace myself from finishing it too quickly. Jolts you out of your fixed routines and brings everything into perspective. Alhamdulillah. This will need to be reread many times, particularly to serve as reminders. And I will be trying to set it aside for just this purpose, Inshallah.
August 20, 2021
This is one of those books I grabbed extra copies of to keep on hand in order to give to loved ones because I was so moved by its contents and found it so beautiful and beneficial to read. It's a short collection of verses from the Qur'an and sayings from the Prophet (s) strung together in a chronological order relating to the different phases of existence: the life before we entered this world, life in this world, life of the barzakh (in the grave), the Day of Judgment, and the Garden and Fire. The hadith gathered in this collection are incredible and wide ranging. It was a really great book to meditate on its contents and assess both the content and meaning of one's life, and the lives to come. Strongly recommend having a copy of this book and reading it every few years.
April 18, 2007
This is a wonderful, wonderful summary of the Islamic view on the stages of life. Life is divided into five parts: life before conception, life in this world, life in the grave, life on the Day of Judgement, and life in the fire and the garden.
This book is dense. It can be read quickly, but it's the kind of book that makes you want to pause and wipe away a few tears after a page or two. It is very concise, and is a great reminder of the nature of this life (ahem, temporary) and the lives to come, God willing. I highly reccomend it for everyone.
This book is dense. It can be read quickly, but it's the kind of book that makes you want to pause and wipe away a few tears after a page or two. It is very concise, and is a great reminder of the nature of this life (ahem, temporary) and the lives to come, God willing. I highly reccomend it for everyone.
May 12, 2013
A must read!
December 23, 2014
A must read. One of the most beautiful books on how Islam sees life and death. Especially for the ones that like philosophy
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews