Four Traits

Four Traits

Imam Ghazali mentions in his Ihya’ that Imam Junaid said,
“Four traits lift a person to the highest ranks, even if their works and knowledge are little:

(1) Forbearance (hilm)

(2) Humility (tawadu`)

(3) Generosity (sakha’)

(4) Good character (husn al-khuluq)–and this is the perfection of faith.”

[Imam Ghazali, Ihya' `Ulum al-Din]

The Signs of Fear of Allah; Its Reasons; Its Fruits and Some Poems

The Signs of Fear of Allah; Its Reasons; Its Fruits and Some Poems

Imam Ghazali, Imam Ibn Qayyim and Ibn Rajab Hanbali
The Signs of Fear:

Know! Dear Muslim brothers and sisters. We can find out whether we fear Allah or are oblivious of him through some simple tests. Here are some of them:

On Reflection (fikr) - Imam al-Haddad (Book of Assistance)

On Reflection (fikr)

from: The Book of Assistance, Imam ‘Abdallah Ibn ‘Alawi al-Haddad (Allah have mercy upon him)

Translated by: Dr. Mostafa al-Badawi, Madina
You should have a wird of reflection in every twenty-four hours, for which you should set aside one or more hours. The best time for reflection is the one in which are the least pre-occupations, worries, and more potential for the heart to be present, such as the depths of the night. Know that the state of one’s religious and worldly affairs depend upon soundness of one’s reflection.

Anyone who has a share of it has an abundant share of everything good. It has been said : ‘An hour’s reflection is better than a year’s worship.’ ‘Ali, may God ennoble his face, has said: ‘There is no worship like reflection.’ And one of the gnostics; may God have mercy on them all, said: ‘Reflection is the lamp of the heart; if it departs the heart will have no light.’

Refining the heart

“O Allah! aid, guide and grant me (tawfiq) success to refine the qualities of my soul and clarify its density; through spiritual exertion that overcomes and effaces egoistic (nafsi) frivolities and subdues desirous motives; which is adorned by constant presence with Allah, Mighty and Majestic and the quality of good manners on the carpet of lowliness, brokenness, poverty and absolute need; thus realizing slavehood and fulfilling the rights of Lordship. Indeed You have power over all things."

Du'a by Imam Abdullah ibn ‘Alawi al-Haddad

(may Allah have mercy and be well-pleased with him)

Imam al-Haddad on Fasting

Condensed Excerpts from 'The Book of Assistance' by Imam al Haddad:

Imam al-Haddad on Fasting (Chapter 19)

Increase your good works, especially in Ramadan, for the reward of a supererogatory act performed during it equals that of an obligatory act performed at any other time. Ramadan is also a time when good works are rendered easy and one has much more energy for them than during any other month. This is because the soul, lazy when it: comes to good works, is then imprisoned by hunger and thirst, the devils who hinder it are shackled, the gates of the Fire are shut, the gates of the Garden are open, and the herald calls every night at Allah’s command: ‘O you who wish for goodness, hasten! And O you who wish for evil, halt!’

The Ten Directives of Imam Ghazali

In the name of Allah, most merciful, most generous

The Ten Directives

From the Gathered works of Imam Ghazali (may Allah show him mercy)
Translated by Arfan Shah

Proofread by Adnan Tariq