Purification of the Mind (Jila’ Al-Khatir) – Third Edition

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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

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