The translation, notes, and commentary of Imam al-Harith al-Muhasibi鈥檚 Risala al-Mustarshidin (Treatise For The Seekers Of Guidance) by Zaid Shakir is intended to serve as a layman鈥檚 guide to Islamic spirituality. Al - Muhasibi presents most of the major ideas that would both serve as the basis for a full program of spiritual development and comprise an insightful overview of a system of Islamic moral psychology. He examines in great depth and penetrating insight the psychological motivations and justifications for moral thought and action and correspondingly the associated bases of immorality. In so doing, he has provided a road map that any person can follow to overcome the guiles of his fundamental the world, the ego, the whims of the soul, and Satan.
This book, claimed t9o be 'sharia compliant' sufism is basically a guide to handling yourself as a Muslim. It focusses on matters of the heart and mind, on self control, abstinence, the nature of knowledge, intellect and closeness to God. All this advise is strongly basedon the teachingsof the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) traditions Metaphysical and informative, Alhamdulillah highly recommended to Muslims. It's not a book that is meant to be read in a rush, its something to be gone through slowly and with care. And to be kept ready for frequent browse through's later.
Subhan'Allah this book is simply breathtaking. Imam Muhasibi's advice is priceless and very practical. Furthermore Imam Zaid Shakir's commentary provides further insight to Imam Muhasibi's message. This is a surprisingly easy read and I would recommend it to anyone. My only advice is to take your time with the book, and really try to absorb Imam Muhasibi's wisdom.
One of the best books I've read in years! Zaid Shakir's beautiful English translation and commentary of Al-Muhasibi's soul stirring work is refreshingly accessible to all including a lay reader or non-Muslim. A potent guide and reminder of the work necessary to succeed along the spiritual path of Islam.
This book was a bit dry and of course hard to follow at times, but still a beautiful read for any student of the Islamic tradition. Imam Zaid has done an immense service to the English-speaking members of the Ummah by translating and adding commentary to this classical text. May Allah reward both him and the author for their service.
What a fantastic book! Totally recommended for 'Seekers of Guidance'.
Based on the teachings and sayings of Imam al-Muhasibi , the translator Zaid Butt deserves a good amount of credit for elucidating the message so simply and beautifully. I would suggest readers *not* to skip the Introductory note on the Imam and his noteworthy contributions, which have apparently inspired the famous works of Imam al-Ghazzali (Ihya Ulum al-Din; The Revival of the Religious Sciences) and Hazrat Abu Talib al-Makki's work Qut al-Qulub or Nourishment for the Heart.
What I like about the layout of the book is it is interspersed with stories and lessons, related events/ incidences, recorded accounts and then inferring lessons in daily life. It is sooo easy to understand the message because the primary focus of this book is to inform and lay out clearly for the reader what historical accounts actually mean when they are allegorically recounted and passed down through the generations. I have picked out some excerpts that I felt were worthy of sharing. Pls excuse the length of this review as there were so many gems throughout the book, that I felt compelled to capture them here.
The importance of accountability "Every time we do something significant we should step back and assess it. Was it right? Was it lawful? Should I have done it? Such an accounting is a process that elevates us. On the other hand, if we fail to take an account of our actions, we can easily enter a slippery slope that culminates in profligacy. Entry upon that slope begins with small things."
"... the Sufi is the child of the moment (ibn al-Waqt). He endeavors to live a life consistent with God's plan. Insight into that plan, as it unfolds in our life, can be gained if we contemplate the direction God is leading us towards. This understanding , once attained, helps us to avoid wasting time and energy in the pursuit of those things God is not facilitating for us."
Addressing our faults and not seeking out faults of others "One of the greatest blessings God can give us is showing us our faults. When we know them we can correct them. To be blinded by our own faults, and only seeing the faults of others is an indication that God is displeased with us. By pointing out the faults of others, to the exclusion of our own, our faults grow - unaddressed - until they ruin us."
"The prophet (锓�) was asked, "Which people are most severely tested?" He replied, "The Prophets, peace upon them and then on down from them. A man is tested according to his faith.鈥� Thus trials and tribulations are a sign of faith, and an indication that one has a good standing with God. Furthermore, we should understand that God does not place on anyone a burden greater than they can bear. So if you鈥檙e tested by God, bear that test with patience and dignity. If you鈥檙e able to do so, you will witness tremendous spiritual gifts and unimaginable benefits.鈥�
"Repair all of those things you need for the journey to the Hereafter. Put your tongue in order; put your prayer in order, stock up on night prayer, Quran recitation, and litanies. If your voluntary fast is like a rusty ship that has not been out on the water for a long while, tune up the engine, paint the hull, scrape off the barnacles and resume using that ship." [Wow!]
Wake up from slumber! 鈥淭hink about things based on the reality of every situation. Do not be deceived by superficial appearances. One who cannot see beyond a superficial level is spiritually asleep. One who fails to realise that the world is temporary and is merely a means to help us attain to God, is asleep. Most of us are sleepwalking and need to wake up. A sleepwalker drifts along without purpose. He may even commit a serious crime in his state of total heedlessness. Only by waking up are we able to realise that we have strayed from the path and then find the ability to right ourselves.鈥�
The Hereafter as our ultimate concern 鈥淚f you chose to chase the world know that God will take it away from you. Some people will ask, 鈥楬ow is it then that so many wrongdoers are so prosperous in this world?鈥� This inquiry can be answered in several ways. First of all, the world means nothing to God so He gives it freely to whomsoever He chooses. However, He only gives religion to those He loves. Secondly, the world is a source of their long-term detriment and is leading them to their ruin (Istidraj). Finally it is not a source of true enjoyment and only deludes its possessors by blinding them to the real enjoyments of life. Based on this meaning, God taking away the world from such people is removing the joy from their lives despite their abundance of material possessions.鈥�
鈥淥ne of the fundamental bases of our success is focus; focusing on the fact that we were created to worship God and to serve others. Everything else in the world should be subservient to these two facts. Once we accept that we were not created to make money, drive a particular car, marry a person who looks a particular way, find the ultimate mind-altering experience, wear a certain brand of sneakers, etc, then we will find focus. If we do not accept that we were created to worship, we will chase money, cars, sneakers, men, women, drugs, clothes and none of it will bring us any real happiness.鈥�
Whims of the soul The whims of our soul are rooted in our physical hence carnal nature. They pull us away from our spiritual nature. By conquering them, we assist our soul in its effort to move towards its angelic nature. The angelic nature is one that inclines towards obedience to God, as the angels are incapable of rebellion to God.鈥�
Hasan al-Basri said: 鈥楪od has not made for the believer a source of rest and comfort other than Paradise.鈥�
鈥淭his world is a place of work, toil and struggle. It is not a place of comfort and ease. God mentions in the Quran, O you human! You are toiling mightily to reach your Lord and surely you will reach him. (84:6) He has not promised us perpetual bliss in this world, yet we are surprised or disappointed when we encounter trials and tribulations.鈥�
Love of God 鈥溾€he space occupied in our hearts by the love of something in God鈥檚 creation is proportionate to the size of that thing, whereas the space occupied in our hearts by God鈥檚 love is proportionate to the vastness of God鈥檚 infinite bounty, grace and light. Is there any basis for comparison here?鈥�
鈥淟et patience accompany you in every situation. Patience鈥� is one of the keys to divine assistance. God mentions in the Quran that one of the qualities of those who escape the general condition of loss that afflicts people attempting to lead lives divorced from divine guidance is that they counsel one another towards patience. (103:3)鈥�
鈥淎 believer is constantly tested and he has to literally reaffirm his truthfulness in an unending succession of situations. We should further note that truth, being dynamic, has the power to revitalize souls, restore hope, replenish hearts, and engender spiritual growth. Those who are spiritually alert readily perceive this truth. Falsehood, being static, encourages spiritual inertia, and eventually spiritual death.鈥�
鈥淥ne who cannot see beyond the creation to witness the existence of its creator has been veiled. That veiling in and of itself constitutes a proof for God, for God鈥檚 existence is so self-evident, He is the only force powerful enough to veil Himself from His creation.鈥�
Reliance is for one who trusts Trust (Tawakkul) in God is defined as relying on God to bring good and to ward off harm in both worldly and other worldly affairs. Imam al-Jurjani defines Tawakkul as 鈥楾rusting in that possessed by God while despairing from that possessed by people.鈥� At the heart of this definition is trust.鈥�
On cautiousness 鈥溾€� described by the prophet (锓�) as the best manifestation of true religion. He mentioned, 鈥淓xcessive knowledge is more beloved to me than excessive worship, and the best manifestation of true religion lies in cautiousness.鈥欌€�
鈥淕od mentions, Every soul will experience death, and then you will be given your recompense in full on the Day of Resurrection. Therefore, whoever is pulled back from Hell and entered into Paradise is the victorious one. And what is the life of this world, except a deceptive enjoyment? (3:185)鈥�
Souls Resonating with each other 鈥淥ur hearts respond differently to different people. There are people that we instinctively find repulsive and there are others we have a great receptivity towards. One reason for this is the nature of the interaction of our souls with other souls in the pre-temporal realm before entering this world. This process is described by the Messenger of God (锓�) in the following hadith: 鈥楾he souls are assembled hosts, those that recognise each other find harmony, while those that are unfamiliar with each other find dissonance.鈥欌€�
One of the sages said, 鈥淭he heart is like a house with six doors. You are warned, 鈥楧o not allow anyone to enter any of the doors lest they ransack your house!鈥� The heart is the house, and the six doors are speech, vision, hearing, smell, the two hands and the two feet. Whenever any of these doors are breached, the house is pillaged.鈥�
There are several other parts that the book contains so many deep messages and I鈥檓 doing a injustice by not drawing attention to others, but these are the ones that spoke to me. I hope this review is helpful to you.
This book is a perfect manual to exercise and be conscious of one's humility at all times. What a great contribution to our race and time. Praises for the works of such awliya :)