Author: ‘Abd Al-Qadir Al-Jilani
Editor: Muhammad al-Muhammad al-Kasnazan
Translator: Shetha Al-Dargazelli; Louay Fatoohi
Subject: Sufism
Publication date: 15 April 2021
Page count: 215
Dimensions: 234 x 156 mm
This book contains forty-five sermons that Shaikh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, arguably the greatest Sufi teacher, delivered at his school in Baghdad in the middle of the sixth century Hijra (the twelfth century CE). The Shaikh’s words are the fruit of many years of personal strife against his lower self and complete dedication to God. They explain the spiritual journey to attain nearness to God in Islam.
In his sermons, Shaikh ‘Abd al-Qadir addresses the various spiritual diseases, such as envy, greed, and arrogance. He also teaches about the qualities that the seeker of God must acquire, such as love, renunciation, humility, satisfaction, patience, and truthfulness. He explains to the wayfarers in a simple but powerful and effective way how to have their spiritual diseases healed and what they need for the journey to God. The Master’s words and advice are not targeted at certain people but address various spiritual states and stations. His words sate everyone thirsty for practical knowledge that takes them nearer to their Lord.
The editor of the Arabic edition of the book, Shaikh Muhammad al-Muhammad al-Kasnazan, did not publish the manuscript in its original form that has the sermons listed chronologically. Rather, he classified the contents of the sermons into forty different subjects, such as “patience”, “mercy”, “love”, etc. This highlights the main themes in Shaikh ‘Abd al-Qadir’s teachings, which best represent Sufi thought.
The Arabic Edition
The Sermons
The Second Editions
The Author: Shaikh ‘Abd Al-Qadir Al-Jilani
The Editor: Shaikh Muhammad al-Muhammad al-Kasnazan
Good Behaviour in the Company of Shaikhs
Repentance
The Mediator
Love
Trust
Renunciation
Fear
Patience
Sincerity
Truthfulness
Sorrow
Satisfaction
Piety
Striving Against the Lower Self
The Blessings of Remembrance [of Allah]
The Works of the Heart
The Knowledge of Saints
Putting Knowledge into Practice
Spending on the Poor
Seclusion
Solitude
The Definition of the Sufi
Extinction
Pardoning
The Light of the Believer
Denouncing this World
The Fruit of Knowledge
Denouncing Hypocrisy
The Benefits of the Month of Ramadan
The Benefit of Mercy
The Prohibition of Injustice
Neglecting What is of No Concern
Humility
Denouncing Dissimulation
Envy
The Curtailment of Hopes
Death
Thinking Well of Others
Having a Sense of Shame
Enduring Affliction
Epilogue
Glossary