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The Book of Assistance
There are many books in English that present Sufi doctrine, but few that can be used as practical travel guides along the Path. Originally written in classical Arabic, this volume is in widespread use among Sufi teachers in Arabia, Indonesia, and East Africa; its devotions, prayers, and practical ethics are invaluable as a guide along the Sufi Way.
152 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
June 5, 2011
This is my remedy when my heart needs some curing and softening. A great guide for Muslims who need to reconnect to the deen of Allah. I love how short and comprehensive the chapters are. They are short and sweet, but very deep. I can't help but learn something new each time I pick up this book. The Book of Assistance definitely makes the reader contemplate. It's a great straight talk and counsel. The Nur of the author definitely comes through--mashAllah, he would've been an incredible shaykh to learn from in his heyday, I'm sure, but at least we can still learn from him now through The Fons Vitae series.
July 16, 2021
“Your time is your life, and your life is your capital; it is the basis of your transactions [with God], and the means to attain everlasting felicity, in the proximity of God the Exalted.”
The seeker is the one for whom the Path to God is made apparent through virtuous action and appetence for Divine love. To be receptive to Divine love, we must understand our functional nature as servants of the Divine. Imam Haddad, in this succinct but profoundly impactful treatise, provides the reader with a treasure trove of timeless wisdom, introducing the reader to tasawwuf as a mode to know the Divine and expounds on the practical implications of the sufi ethos.
Though a translation of the original work, I am certain that the encouraging, uplifting tone and literary eloquence with which Imam Haddad writes is the same in the original Arabic, and credit must be given to Dr. al-Badawi for making this beautiful work accessible for all. The benefit one can derive from this book is truly innumerable, the short chapters are concise and powerful. The book touches upon all aspects of one’s core religious life; adherence to the five pillars, following the Qur’an and sunnah, understanding societal duties and the requirement for constant self-improvement.
Character rectification and purification of the self is an ongoing process. The Book of Assistance serves as a powerful reminder for the one desiring to improve his character by becoming more God-conscious and enhancing his piety. I’d like to share a short reflection on of my favourite chapters in this work regarding the disposition of man. Imam Haddad states that striving for internal and external equilibrium is the minimum to aspire towards—the ideal disposition is to have an inward state that exceeds the outward in terms of beauty and goodness. It is only upon realising that both states are contingent on our intentions do we realise that it is the internal that ultimately holds more weight. Good deeds are rendered moot by poor intentions, and we should be loath to part this world with good deeds that may amount to nought in the hereafter.
As the Messenger of Allah stated, “In the body there lies a small piece of fleshl when it is good the rest of the body is good also, and when it is corrupt the rest of the body becomes corrupt: it is the heart.”
The practical aspect of this book involves advice on what the reader can do to rectify his character and relationship with Allah. For instance, the chapter on regular devotions imparts advice on how to incorporate structured, regular awrad into your routine to incur blessings and Divine favour whilst remaining realistic about one’s own capability. Regular devotions may take the form of nafl prayers, Qur’an recitations, acquiring knowledge, dhikr and fikr. The Messenger of Allah said, “the acts most pleasing to God are the most constant, even if a few.” And, “Choose the acts of which you are capable, for God will not grow weary before you.” There are also a plethora of duas one can learn using this book.
I loved that the content in one chapter could be beautifully traced to a another. The themes and topics of the chapters naturally overlapped and I found myself drawing parallels between chapters and how what was previously mentioned was expounded upon later on. ‘On Reliance on God’ was a beautiful chapter. Imam Haddad relays some short but morally profound anecdotes from blessed figures such as Abdal Qadir al-Jilani and other shuyukh whose reliance on God allowed them to be delivered from compromised, perilous situations.
Loving for Allah’s sake extends to loving him -- “Know that love for the Messenger of God, and all of God’s other Prophets, angels, and virtuous servants, and all who assist in His obedience, is part of one’s love for Him.”
The practicality of the advice imparted in this work is invaluable. The path to God is impossible without the assistance of one who loves you for His sake.
The seeker is the one for whom the Path to God is made apparent through virtuous action and appetence for Divine love. To be receptive to Divine love, we must understand our functional nature as servants of the Divine. Imam Haddad, in this succinct but profoundly impactful treatise, provides the reader with a treasure trove of timeless wisdom, introducing the reader to tasawwuf as a mode to know the Divine and expounds on the practical implications of the sufi ethos.
Though a translation of the original work, I am certain that the encouraging, uplifting tone and literary eloquence with which Imam Haddad writes is the same in the original Arabic, and credit must be given to Dr. al-Badawi for making this beautiful work accessible for all. The benefit one can derive from this book is truly innumerable, the short chapters are concise and powerful. The book touches upon all aspects of one’s core religious life; adherence to the five pillars, following the Qur’an and sunnah, understanding societal duties and the requirement for constant self-improvement.
Character rectification and purification of the self is an ongoing process. The Book of Assistance serves as a powerful reminder for the one desiring to improve his character by becoming more God-conscious and enhancing his piety. I’d like to share a short reflection on of my favourite chapters in this work regarding the disposition of man. Imam Haddad states that striving for internal and external equilibrium is the minimum to aspire towards—the ideal disposition is to have an inward state that exceeds the outward in terms of beauty and goodness. It is only upon realising that both states are contingent on our intentions do we realise that it is the internal that ultimately holds more weight. Good deeds are rendered moot by poor intentions, and we should be loath to part this world with good deeds that may amount to nought in the hereafter.
As the Messenger of Allah stated, “In the body there lies a small piece of fleshl when it is good the rest of the body is good also, and when it is corrupt the rest of the body becomes corrupt: it is the heart.”
The practical aspect of this book involves advice on what the reader can do to rectify his character and relationship with Allah. For instance, the chapter on regular devotions imparts advice on how to incorporate structured, regular awrad into your routine to incur blessings and Divine favour whilst remaining realistic about one’s own capability. Regular devotions may take the form of nafl prayers, Qur’an recitations, acquiring knowledge, dhikr and fikr. The Messenger of Allah said, “the acts most pleasing to God are the most constant, even if a few.” And, “Choose the acts of which you are capable, for God will not grow weary before you.” There are also a plethora of duas one can learn using this book.
I loved that the content in one chapter could be beautifully traced to a another. The themes and topics of the chapters naturally overlapped and I found myself drawing parallels between chapters and how what was previously mentioned was expounded upon later on. ‘On Reliance on God’ was a beautiful chapter. Imam Haddad relays some short but morally profound anecdotes from blessed figures such as Abdal Qadir al-Jilani and other shuyukh whose reliance on God allowed them to be delivered from compromised, perilous situations.
Loving for Allah’s sake extends to loving him -- “Know that love for the Messenger of God, and all of God’s other Prophets, angels, and virtuous servants, and all who assist in His obedience, is part of one’s love for Him.”
The practicality of the advice imparted in this work is invaluable. The path to God is impossible without the assistance of one who loves you for His sake.
February 28, 2021
This is a phenomenal book by Imam al-Haddad which eloquently describes the practical approach to the Path of God. It describes how to perfect the inner faculty of religion otherwise known as Sufism. The underlying theme of this book echoes God-consciousness and with this notion of God-conscioueness true religion is realised. What particularly strikes me about this book (and due credit should be given to the translator Mostafa al-Badawi) is the simplicity of the prose in this short treatises employed which is opposite to the false verbose intelligence used by apparent experts on Sufism. Although I seldom recommend books on Sufism because Sufism is a partical guide to human perfection and merely reading on Sufism becomes an intellectual endeavour but this book is definitely an exception.
April 14, 2007
This is like Imam Haddad's Knowledge and Wisdom, but more flushed out and detailed. For that reason, more appropriate for studying in a group or with a teacher as well. Again, another essential for American Muslims.
May 2, 2021
This is a very good book on assistance and guidance on various topics: on intentions in prayer, fasting and pilgrimage, social duties, inner self & outer self, and fortitude & gratitude. I think this book can be viewed as an additional aid for anyone studying, interested in, or even practicing Islam.
The chapters are cited with surahs, hadiths, and commentaries from Islamic scholars. I recommend it to anyone interested in furthering their knowledge about Islam. Thanks!
The chapters are cited with surahs, hadiths, and commentaries from Islamic scholars. I recommend it to anyone interested in furthering their knowledge about Islam. Thanks!
March 3, 2015
“My desire is that I should not desire, so that I may abandon that which I do not desire, and thus not be deprived of that which I desire”.
Imam Al-Haddad has eloquently constructed an inspiring and practical treatise on the Path to God. It is very much an abridgement of the famous work by the Proof of Islam, Imam Abū Ḥāmid Al-Ghazālī - The Revival of the Religious Sciences; indeed the author continually refers to him in this work. The chapters are supported throughout by various Qur’anic injuctions, Hadiths and parables.
The chapter on the Reliance of God is particularly noteworthy. Imam Al-Haddad outlines the three marks for sincere reliance in God. The first is that he neither hopes in nor fears other than God. The second, that he upholds truth, in the presence of those who people usually have fear (such as a King). Finally, and most beautifully, his heart does not become disturbed in a fearful situation, “knowing that that which has missed him could never have struck him, and that which has struck him could never have missed him”. Further chapters include the Ritual Prayer, Pilgrimage and Contentment.
It is a guide, in my humble opinion, that was written with the hope that its readers revisit it again and again. I for one intend to do as such.
Imam Al-Haddad has eloquently constructed an inspiring and practical treatise on the Path to God. It is very much an abridgement of the famous work by the Proof of Islam, Imam Abū Ḥāmid Al-Ghazālī - The Revival of the Religious Sciences; indeed the author continually refers to him in this work. The chapters are supported throughout by various Qur’anic injuctions, Hadiths and parables.
The chapter on the Reliance of God is particularly noteworthy. Imam Al-Haddad outlines the three marks for sincere reliance in God. The first is that he neither hopes in nor fears other than God. The second, that he upholds truth, in the presence of those who people usually have fear (such as a King). Finally, and most beautifully, his heart does not become disturbed in a fearful situation, “knowing that that which has missed him could never have struck him, and that which has struck him could never have missed him”. Further chapters include the Ritual Prayer, Pilgrimage and Contentment.
It is a guide, in my humble opinion, that was written with the hope that its readers revisit it again and again. I for one intend to do as such.
June 10, 2016
"In one of God's revealed scriptures it is said: 'He has lied who claims to love Me but who when night falls sleeps [and leaves] Me. Does not every lover love to be alone with his beloved?"
August 7, 2015
This book is short yet it packs a big punch! It's full of wisdom. The chapters are short, approximately a few pages each, yet presenting a wide array of topics based on Islamic spirituality and teachings. The content of the book contains much relevant and practical advice; ideal for the lazy book averse social-age humans. Throughly recommended - the book lends itself nicely to being re-read multiple times and being used as a companion guide.
August 8, 2019
A practical book on how to embody the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad inwardly and outwardly.
I read this book while listening to its explanation by Ustadh Amjad Tarsin and Shaykh Faraz Rabbani on SeekersGuidance: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
I read this book while listening to its explanation by Ustadh Amjad Tarsin and Shaykh Faraz Rabbani on SeekersGuidance: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...
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June 18, 2025A book to be read over and over again when the heart needs softening.
December 1, 2009
Actually reading the original Arabic version of this - very enlightening.
March 9, 2024
The second I finished “The Book of Assistance”, I knew I would read it again. Imam Al-Haddad may God have mercy on him, has left a legacy behind providing this comprehensive guide on sacred tradition to attain the state of ubudiyyah (servitude). I’m truly amazed at how simple and short yet deeply rich in wisdom this book was.
April 15, 2022
'Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.' Knowledge makes you aware of what is a duty, what is recommended, what is forbidden, how to perform your duties and recommended acts, and how to avoid what is prohibited. Therefore, you must have knowledge and cannot dispense with it; for on the practice of it your happiness in this world and the hereafter depends. Know that those who worship but have no knowledge end up receiving more harm from their worship than benefit.
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A book that I desperately need on my shelf. It's thought-provoking, concise, and assists in reconnecting with Allah SWT. This is not just a book but a guide which I see myself referring to it more in the future. Although it's short, the words are meaningful and the message is massive. If you're looking for something similar to Bidayatul Hidayah (The Beginning of Guidance) or Inner Dimensions of Islamic Worship by Imam Al-Ghazzali, this book is for you.
To be honest, I always have a hard time writing my take on Islamic books. I think that’s the main reason why I prefer to call my “reviews” as “reflections”. The more I get older, the more I crave time to slow down. I feel like I never read enough but I realise it's not about the number of books but the quality of them.
Finishing an Islamic book is like hitting another milestone in my life. Now I make it a point to inculcate the things I've read, afraid that I will be questioned for it in the hereafter. I think that's why I don't read as many Islamic books as I used to since now I put myself accountable when I choose to pursue a particular Islamic book. To be a reflection of an Islamic book is a gift from Allah SWT.
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A book that I desperately need on my shelf. It's thought-provoking, concise, and assists in reconnecting with Allah SWT. This is not just a book but a guide which I see myself referring to it more in the future. Although it's short, the words are meaningful and the message is massive. If you're looking for something similar to Bidayatul Hidayah (The Beginning of Guidance) or Inner Dimensions of Islamic Worship by Imam Al-Ghazzali, this book is for you.
To be honest, I always have a hard time writing my take on Islamic books. I think that’s the main reason why I prefer to call my “reviews” as “reflections”. The more I get older, the more I crave time to slow down. I feel like I never read enough but I realise it's not about the number of books but the quality of them.
Finishing an Islamic book is like hitting another milestone in my life. Now I make it a point to inculcate the things I've read, afraid that I will be questioned for it in the hereafter. I think that's why I don't read as many Islamic books as I used to since now I put myself accountable when I choose to pursue a particular Islamic book. To be a reflection of an Islamic book is a gift from Allah SWT.
May 13, 2015
The moment I finished reading this book was the moment I planned to reread this book not only for one more time but more. Though this book is not that thick but it is so packed with reminders and with its merciful yet firm teaching on how to conduct one's Akhlak while trying to become a better Muslim. This is one book that contains countless beautiful gems that one can take so many at a time - it never runs out as it is being filled by The Most Generous every time you read it. SubhanAllah. Definitely, this has become my top favourite book! <3
June 2, 2008
one of the best 'Tassawuf for beginner" book by one of the greatest Tassawuf Syaikh in Alawiyya tariqa.
January 8, 2012
I hesitate to place this in my "read" shelf, as I know I will continue to return to it over and over again...
February 25, 2012
This book is a must read for all Muslims. Great translation. Very deep meanings and lessons but easy to take in and absorb.
December 1, 2024
Tränen über Tränen über Tränen …
August 16, 2018
good content, it practially summarize my islamic studies when i was a child, but the english is really hard to understand, i would have not understand anything if not for the islamic studies i took.
October 11, 2021
"Contentment if to be content inwardly with God's acts, and outwardly to do what pleases him."
May 1, 2007
A book you can read again and again and again and be inspired anew each time.
January 7, 2011
One of my favorite books and reminders.
August 24, 2014
Excellent, to read, re-read and read again.
February 14, 2020
A book that can help you improve your character and daily practice. For those seeking to get closer to God and the religion, this book may help you get that inner sight of what being a true Muslim is all about. Man would need to go through hardships and tests and pass those adversities with patience and gratitude to attain a high rank in God’s eyes. There will be difficulties and obstacles to reach that spiritual ecstasy, and one must be worthy of it. Removing impairments such as ego, pride, envy and diseases of the heart that cause us to continue to be stagnant and foul would be an essential step. The Book of Assistance will transform your understanding of the heart and how to truly worship Allah and love His Messenger peace be upon him. The wisdom behind this book is profound.
September 14, 2023
Countless gems in this book! As someone who's a bit of an enthusiast of Sufi culture,I can't believe I've never read this one before. This is definitely a great introduction to Islam and the Sufi path and a more realistic approach to it rather than the airy-fairy things you see from some people (and others outright refuting the entire science of Tasawwuf altogether) This also serves as a practical guide for the common Muslim, playing a better role than the oversimplified representation of Islam on social media.
I hope to see the day where this book is taught in madrasahs all over, particularly in my locality. May Allah bless Imam Al Haddad and the Ba'Alawi saadah, and allow us to benefit from.
I hope to see the day where this book is taught in madrasahs all over, particularly in my locality. May Allah bless Imam Al Haddad and the Ba'Alawi saadah, and allow us to benefit from.
August 5, 2022
I first read this book many years ago when I was still a child. It seemed so basic at that time. I had heard great things about the book and was underwhelmed. It seemed as though it was reiterating things that I already knew.
Now that I am an adult and have a bit more experience under my belt I can appreciate this book much more. For one looking to be spiritually elevated they need nothing more than consistency on the basics. This book was a great reminder that the method of connecting to Allah is clearly defined and straightforward. Don't be fooled by charlatans marketing some new secret practise to draw closer to Allah.
Now that I am an adult and have a bit more experience under my belt I can appreciate this book much more. For one looking to be spiritually elevated they need nothing more than consistency on the basics. This book was a great reminder that the method of connecting to Allah is clearly defined and straightforward. Don't be fooled by charlatans marketing some new secret practise to draw closer to Allah.
November 23, 2018
One of the most inspiring book i've read. a must read for every muslim who wants to bolster his faith. simple and deep, Al-HAddad give us the key tools for a quiet introspection, how to maintain one's spirituality and remembrance of God in his daily life, through Thikr and prayers. The benefit of observing some Islamic Teachings and rules as eating Halal, dressing modestly, being humble, honest and kind towards people.. I highly recommend.
January 10, 2022
It's concise, authentic, and so full of ilm. Imam al-Hadad touches all the aspects of a believer's journey, not without providing proper guidance, and his devotion to Allah Subhana hu wa Ta'la.
Not only this, all his statements are supported with references from the Qur'an and Prophetic Traditions.
I loved every bit of this book; it's beautifully written and a perfect start for people who aren't too knowledgeable about deen and it's relation with our qalb.
Not only this, all his statements are supported with references from the Qur'an and Prophetic Traditions.
I loved every bit of this book; it's beautifully written and a perfect start for people who aren't too knowledgeable about deen and it's relation with our qalb.
November 25, 2020
“You must know everything that God has forbidden you so as to be able to avoid it, for the one who does not recognize evil falls into it.”
It was straight to the point and managed to cover everything without going on for long and the way it is written moves the reader. Highly recommend!!
It was straight to the point and managed to cover everything without going on for long and the way it is written moves the reader. Highly recommend!!
March 13, 2022
Comprehensive as it contains a wide range of aspects on the spirituality and rulings of Islam. I have about two pages of notes from this book. I learned a great deal of hadith. This is a good supplementary book but not adequate enough for a new Muslim.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews