The Key to Salvation

The Key to Salvation - '' Miftah al-falah ''
'A Sufi Manual of Invocation,'
*[A5+] Paperback - 269 pages, 
by Ibn ‘Ata’Allah Al-Iskandari. 
Translated by: Mary Ann Koury Danner,
Published by The Islamic Texts Society, Cambridge.

 

Now in Stock November 2021



Description :

 
Key to Salvation
is considered to be one of Ibn ‘Ata’ Allah’s, may Allah be pleased with him, most important works' because it contains the principles of actual Sufi mystical practices.


It is unprecedented for the light it sheds on the central role of dhikru’llah, or sacred invocation and associated practices, such as spiritual retreat. It offers a glimpse into the Sufi world of the seventh Islamic century and allows us to see how the novice was guide by the Sufi Shaykh and the purpose and preparation involved in engaging in the dhikru-llah.


This is the first English translation of Miftah al-falah, a thirteenth century Sufi text, written by Ibn Ata Allah, one of the great masters of the Shadhili Sufi order.


It is considered to be one of his most important works because it sets out the principles of actual Sufi mystical practices, shedding light on the sacred invocations, and associated practices, such as the spiritual retreat.


Written in a clear, lucid style, it offers a glimpse into the Sufi world of the 7th Islamic century and allows us to see almost at first hand how the novice was guided by the Sufi Shaykh and, above all, the purpose and preparation involved in engaging in the invocation, dhikhru’llah. Ibn Ata’Allah sets out to define it, to explain its nature and power, to show its results and to prove that it is part of the Prophet’s Sunna, or practice.


The author goes to great lengths to point out many Qur’anic verses where dhikru’llah is mentioned and cites many noted authorities.




Abu al-Fadl Ibn 'Ata' allah al-Iskandari (d.709), may Allah be pleased with him.

Ibn Ata' illah al-Iskandari, rahmatullahi ta'ala 'alayhi, was born in Alexandria, Egypt. He was one of the great Sufi Imams who was also known as a muhaddith, preacher, and Maliki jurist. He is the author of 'al-Hikam' (Aphorisms), 'Miftah al-falah' (The Key to Success), 'al-Qasd al-mujarrad fi ma'rifat al-ism al-mufrad' (The Pure Goal Concerning Knowledge of the Unique Name), amongst others.


This pious and extraordinary contemplative figure left behind a spiritual legacy no less impressive than those of his own beloved Shaykh, and the eminent founder Shaykh Abu'l-Hasan ash-Shadhili, may Allah be pleased with him. All the biographers refer to Ibn 'Ata illah with illustrious titles and reverence and mention how marvellously he spoke and how uplifting his words were. In spite of the fact that he followed the Maliki madhbab, the Shafi'is laid claim to him, most probably because some of his earlier teachers had been Shafi'i scholars, not to mention some of his students.






Table of Contents :


---Translator's Introduction;
---Translation:


---[1]. On the Nature of Remembrance;
---[2]. Invoking Aloud;
---[3]. Benefits of Invocation in General;
---[4]. On the Benefits of the Invocations Used by the Novice Travelling the Path;
---[5]. On Choosing the Type of Remembrance;
---[6]. The Gradual Advance of the Seeker by Means of the Invocations;
---[7]. On the Invocation During Spiritual Retreat;
---[8]. The Oneness of God;
---[9]. Gnosis;
---[10]. What Initiates on the Path Must Impress Upon Themselves;
---[11]. On Explaining Invocations;
---[12]. Remembrance in All Situations and Times During the Day and the Night;
---[13]. Incantations;


---Appendix I:  Key Persons Mentioned in the Text;
---Appendix II: Glossary of Terms;
---Appendix III: Silsilah of the Shadhili Order;
---Bibliography;
---Index.
 



Mary Ann Koury-Danner, currently Area Specialist for Middle Eastern Studies at Indiana University Library, has already won two awards for this translation.






More Ibn Ata'Allah al-Iskandari Books,
More Shadhiliyya Books,
More books on Sufism (tasawwuf).

 



*Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.6cm.



 

 

 

  • Shipping Weight: 0.595 kgs
  • 10 Units in Stock
  • Written by: Ibn Ata'Allah al-Iskandari

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This product was added to our catalog on Wednesday 19 December, 2012.

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