In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said:
The complete happiness of a slave is founded upon two affairs:
[1] The strength of a slave’s [a
believer’s] desire for perfect knowledge and [sincere] intention: The strength
of his desire for perfect knowledge can only be achieved when he truly knows
the following [five] matters: 1. When a person
truly knows The One [i.e. Allaah] who brought the creation into existence
after it was non-existent; created everything and bestowed all blessings to the
creation. 2.When a person truly knows the true meanings of Allaah’s Names and
Attributes. 3.When a person truly knows the correct path leading to Allaah’s
[pleasure] and its end results. 4.When a person truly knows himself [or
herself]. 5.When a person truly knows the weaknesses and defects of his [or
her] soul. These [five] affairs bring
about perfection in one’s knowledge and the desire for it. The people with the
most knowledge and understanding are those with the most knowledge and
understanding regarding these five affairs.
[2]
The strength of the slave’s desire to perfect his [or her] actions: The
strength of the slave’s desire to perfect his [or her] deeds cannot be achieved
except by way of fulfilling the commandments of Allaah- performing them
sincerely, truthfully and purely for Allaah’s sake; acknowledges Allaah’s
blessings; bears witness to Allaah’s blessings and bears witness to one’s
shortcomings whilst seeking to fulfil Allaah’s commandments.
The person should know that he [or she]
cannot achieve perfection in knowledge and action without the Aid and
Assistance of Allaah because one is compelled in his [or her] need for guidance
to the straight path- the path to which the Creator [Allaah] has guided His
Awliyaa. The slave should ask Allaah for protection against leaving this path,
[which may occur] either by way of corruption in one’s knowledge- leading to
misguidance, or by way of corruption in his deeds- leading one to earn the
Anger of his Lord. These two affairs
have been gathered in Soorah Al-Faatihah.
[Source: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Fawaa-id’
page 21, 22. Slightly paraphrased]
Written by The Salafi Centre of Manchester on April 4, 2019
