Shaykh al-Sulami's Wasiyyah : New,
'Practical Spiritual Advice for Muslim Self-Care'
*[A5] Slim Paperback - 72 pages,
by Abu 'Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami [d.412h],
Translation & Notes by Musa Furber,
Published by Islamosaic.
Description :
The Wasiyyah of Shaykh Ab? ?Abd al-Ra?m?n al-Sulam?, may Allah be pleased with him, contains forty-six counsels. Each counsel concerns actions Allah Almighty and His Messenger, may Allah bless him & give him peace, have commanded us to perform or avoid. Each of the actions in the counsels impacts one’s physical, moral, and spiritual well-being and development.
The book is a lighter, kinder, and gentler companion to his Infamies of the Soul and Their Treatments. Read together, these two provide a practical toolkit and plan for self-care and development.
Abu Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami [d.412h].
He is Ab? ?Abd al-Rah?mân Muh?ammad ibn al-H?usayn ibn Musa al-Azdi al-Sulami, al-Naysaburi,
alayhi ar-Rahman. He was born in Nishapur (arabic:
Naysabur) (Persia) in 325 Hijri. It was the influence of Al-Sulami's grandfather which first drew him towards the ascetic doctrine. He travelled extensively throughout Khorasan and Iraq in his pursuit of
hadith knowledge. Al-Sulami's education was also supported by a thorough training in religious law and theology, Ash'ari
kalam in particular, which he learned from the
Qadi Abu Bakr al-Baqillani [d.403/1013]. In
fiqh, Al-Sulami followed the
Shafi'i school. In Nishapur Al-Sulami became renowned as a
Shafi'i scholar and a collector of traditions. He was a prolific author of many sciences but in paricular of
tafsir, hadith and
tasawwuf - who according to his biographers Al-Sulami wrote more than a hundred books and treatises over a period of some fifty years.
His books tended to deal with the more practical aspects of tasawwuf, like the Jawami Adab al-Sufiyya and 'Uyub al-Nafs wa-Mudawatuhu which focused on sufi customs and practices. Most of his works included citations from the Qur'an and Sunnah in support of orthodox Sufi behaviour.
Musa Furber is a Research Fellow at the Tabah Foundation, and is a qualified issuer of edicts (mufti). He received his license to deliver legal edicts (fatwas) from senior scholars at the Egyptian House of Edicts, including the Grand Mufti of Egypt. He was raised in Portland, Oregon, and lives in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates
Table of Contents :
---Transliteration Table,
---Preface,
---Author's Introduction,
---[1]. Be mindful of Allah,
---[2]. Give priority to Obeying Allah and avoiding disobedience,
---[3]. Do not be distracted from Allah,
---[4]. Remember, recite and ponder the Qur'an,
---[5]. Follow the Sunna,
---[6]. Imitate the Righteous Forebears,
---[7]. Accompany the elite and avoid the wicked,
---[8]. Do not visit rulers,
---[9]. Be wary of visiting those who cling to this world,
---[10]. Have no concern for affairs of this world,
---[11]. Demand the best from yourself,
---[12]. Leave what does not concern you,
---[13]. Be sincere,
---[14]. Realise truth in your sincerity,
---[15]. Continually seek forgiveness,
---[16]. Beware of loving this world,
---[17]. Accompany those who abstain from this world,
---[18]. Take from this world only what you must,
---[19]. Obey and be devoted to your parents,
---[20]. Maintain familial relations,
---[21]. Perfect your character,
---[22]. Honour your neighbours,
---[23]. Assist all who seek aid,
---[24]. Accept excuses,
---[25]. Do not reveal a Muslim's shame,
---[26]. Counter wickedness with excellence,
---[27]. Avoid envy,
---[28]. Respect elders; be clement with the young,
---[29]. Adhere to modesty,
---[30]. Be humble to the poor and be kind to them,
---[31]. Keep aloof from the wealthy,
---[32]. Show compassion towards the pious wealthy,
---[33]. Seek advice from those who fear their Lord,
---[34]. Rely upon Allah when you become resolved,
---[35]. Seek favour with your brothers,
---[36]. Tell the truth,
---[37]. Protect your soul and your hearing,
---[38]. Treat people without prejudice,
---[39]. Devote oneself to repentance,
---[40]. Avoid unwholesome food,
---[41]. Be vigilant of Allah at all times,
---[42]. Remember Allah continuously,
---[43]. Minimise laughter,
---[44]. Consider death near,
---[45]. Give sincere advice,
---[46]. Rely on Allah for your guidance.
---General Counsels,
---Closing Counsel.
---References.
*Dimensions : 20.5 x 12.8cm.
English
