Ibn Qayyim Al Jawziyya On Knowledge

"Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya on Knowledge: from Key to the Blissful Abode (Miftah Dar al-Sa'ada) is an abridgement of the first volume of Key to the Blissful Abode, a popular title by the renowned theologian and jurist Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya. In it, Ibn Qayyim focuses on the importance of knowledge and willpower, as means through which a person may attain Paradise. Willpower is the door and knowledge in particular knowledge which pertains to God and His Attributes, the Qur'an and the example of the Prophet—is the key. Ibn Qayyim discusses the virtues and benefits of knowledge over wealth and worldly matters; the path to knowledge; the importance of pursuing knowledge and applying it in order to achieve guidance from God and protect oneself from doubts; the superiority of the scholar over the worshipper; the necessity of using knowledge and willpower as the bases for all actions if one is to achieve spiritual bliss. Ibn Qayyim then concludes Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya on Knowledge: from Key to the Blissful Abode, by discussing the importance of contemplation and reflection in order to attain further knowledge and guidance"--front flap.

The renowned theologian and jurist Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya (d.1350) wrote numerous titles, many of which are still popular today. Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya on Divine Wisdom and the Problem of Evil is a translation of selections from two of Ibn Qayyim's books: Key to the Blissful Abode and Remedy for Those who Question on Matters Concerning Divine Decree, Predestination, Wisdom and Causality. Ibn al-Qayyim first discusses twenty-six wise purposes behind God creating humanity and settling them on Earth. His perspective is that whatever exists in this world is either purely or preponderantly good, or indirectly leads to a greater good.

"Stay cautious of your ego. No trial has afflicted you except through it. Do not make peace with it, for by God, no one can bring honor to it except one who has humiliated it, and no one can bring greatness to it except one who has made it insignificant and submissive, and no one can make it whole except one who has broken it, and no one can bring rest to it except one who has exhausted it, and no one can bring security to it except one who has frightened it, and no one can bring happiness to it except one who has brought sadness to it."This book provides a wide selection of quotations taken from ten of the best books of Ibn al-Qayyim (full name Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah), famous Medieval jurist and spiritual writer, translated into easy, accessible English for the modern reader.

In Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya and the Divine Attributes Miriam Ovadia offers a thorough study of his voluminous theological work on anthropomorphism, al-Ṣawāʿiq al-Mursala (written ca. 1350), in which he rationalistically systemized the hermeneutics of his renowned mentor Ibn Taymiyya.

In Beyond Schools: Muḥammad b. Ibrāhīm al-Wazīrʼs (d. 840/1436) Epistemology of Ambiguity, Damaris Wilmers offers the first extensive analysis of Ibn al-Wazīrʼs life and work and the significance of his thought for theological and legal diversity beyond the Yemeni context.

"Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya on Knowledge: from Key to the Blissful Abode (Miftah Dar al-Sa'ada) is an abridgement of the first volume of Key to the Blissful Abode, a popular title by the renowned theologian and jurist Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya. In it, Ibn Qayyim focuses on the importance of knowledge and willpower, as means through which a person may attain Paradise. Willpower is the door and knowledge in particular knowledge which pertains to God and His Attributes, the Qur'an and the example of the Prophet—is the key. Ibn Qayyim discusses the virtues and benefits of knowledge over wealth and worldly matters; the path to knowledge; the importance of pursuing knowledge and applying it in order to achieve guidance from God and protect oneself from doubts; the superiority of the scholar over the worshipper; the necessity of using knowledge and willpower as the bases for all actions if one is to achieve spiritual bliss. Ibn Qayyim then concludes Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya on Knowledge: from Key to the Blissful Abode, by discussing the importance of contemplation and reflection in order to attain further knowledge and guidance"--front flap.