|
The
Key to Salvation
Ibn Ata’ Allah al-Iskandari
Paperback 270 Pages
Translated by: MARY
ANN KOURY-DANNER
Includes Glossary. Bibliography. Index.
The Islamic Texts Society, Cambridge UK
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.
Mary Ann Koury-Danner, currently Area Specialist
for Middle Eastern Studies at Indiana University Library, has already won two
awards for this translation.
© The Islamic Texts Society 2002
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
|
About Ata'Allah Iskandari
Taj ad-Din Abu’l-Fadl Ahmad
b. Muhammad b. Abd al-Karim b. Ata’ Allah al-Iskandari, al-Judhami ash-Shadhili,
known simply as Ibn ‘Ata’ Allah,
was born in Alexandria, Egypt, as his nisbah indicates, about the middle
of the seventh/thirteenth century. His family were renowned Maliki scholars from
the Banu Judham tribe, originally from Arabia. His grandfather, Abd al-Karim (d.
612 AH/1216 AD) had distinguished himself as an expert in fiqh, usul
(principles of jurisprudence), and Arabic, having studied under the famous Abu’l-Hasan
al-Abyari. He had written several books, among which were al-Bayin
wa’t-Taqrib fi Sharh at-Tahdhib, Mukhtasar at-Tahdhib, and Mukhtasar al-Mufassal,
and had been very hostile to Suflism.
Read
Biographical sketch from the Book
Other Books on Sufism and Spirituality
|
