Seeds of Admonishment and Reform

This is the fifth instalment in the book series, of the illustrious and inimitable scholar of the sixth century Hijri, Imam Ibn al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy upon him. The author penned this rare and deeply thought-provoking work with remarkable prose, accompanied with intense imagery designed to impart profound points of benefit harvested from the Qur’an and Sunnah. His lessons are uniquely arranged and gleam with exquisite expressions – designed to counsel the intellect to reflect, and the heart to reform.

Being a timely translation, its message reflects the challenge of the human condition that continues to divert mankind with the blinding effect of this transient and material world – and brings back the real focus on mankind’s purpose and responsibility on earth.

In ‘Fada’il al-Dhikr’, Ibn Jawzi wrote that one of the Salaf said: “O son of Adam! You need your share in this life, but need your share in the Hereafter even more. If you (only) took care of your share in this life, then you will lose your share in the Hereafter and are soon bound to lose your share in this life too. However, if you took care of your share in the Hereafter, you will also win your full share in this life with ease.”

The author has extracted from an array of topics what will jolt the hearts and moisten the eyes, while strengthening the resolve to return to Allah and aspire for loftier goals to succeed in this life and the next. And there is no might or power, except with Allah.

The author, Ibn al-Jawzi (d. 597 AH), was an learned scholar possessing extensive knowledge. While still young, he became known as someone who was religious and given to learning. He would not waste his time in idle activities and would scrupulously avoid any food whose source was doubtful. He was a great preacher and his fame was widespread; many people repented and accepted Islam at his hands. He was also a prolific writer and authored over one thousand works encompassing a multitude of Islamic disciplines and sciences.