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Ibn al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyya
He is Muhammad Ibn Abi
Bakr, known as Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya, named after his father who was
an attendant (Qayyim) at a local school named Al-Jawziyya. He was born
in Damascus, Syria in 1292 C.E. (691 A.H.), and he studied under his
father, the local attendant (Qayyim) of the al-Jawziyya school. Later
on, he pursued his quest for knowledge at the hands of renowned masters
and scholars of his epoch, as well as he studied the works and teachings
of sufi masters known in his time. His schooling centered around Islamic
jurisprudence, theology, and the science of prophetic traditions. He
finally joined the study circle of Imam Ibn Taimiyyah (1262-1329 C.E.),
who kept him in his company as his closest student and disciple, who
later on became his successor.
Ibn al-Qayyim was
fervent in his devotion to his teacher, and he was an excellent student
and disciple of the great Muslim scholar Imam Taqiyyu-Deen Ahmad Ibn
Taimiyyah. He defended his religious opinions and approaches, and he
compiled and edited most of his works, and taught the same.
Because of their
perception and opinions, both the teacher and the student were unjustly
persecuted, tortured by unjust rulers at the time, and humiliated in
public by the local authorities, and they were imprisoned in a single
cell, while the other disciples were kept separate in the central prison
of Damascus, still known to-date as al-Qal‘a. Among the imprisoned
scholars, students of Ibn Qayyim, included a young man by the name of
Ibn Kathďr (1302-1375 C.E.), who later on became a most renowned Muslim
scholar and compiler of the most comprehensive Qur’anic commentaries
‘Tafsďr Ibn Kathďr.’
Upon the death of Imam
Ibn Taimiyyah, the disciples were set free from prison, and Imam Ibn al-Qayyim
al-Jawziyya furthered his studies, and held study circles and classes
for his own students. Ibn Jawziyya taught Islamic Jurisprudence at al-Sadriyya
school, in Damascus, before he held the position of the Imam of the
Jawziyya school for a long period. Most of his writings were
compilations, although he authored several books himself, and
manuscripts with his own handwriting are preserved today in the central
Library of Damascus.
In fact, it was
considered an honour and a privilege to study in his circle. Among the
renowned Muslim scholars who studied under him, we mention Ibn ‘Abd al-Hădď
(1305-1345 C.E.), and Ibn Rajab (1337-1396 C.E.), and others who
oft-frequented his circles, and sought his company, such as Imam Ibn
Kathďr. Most scholars of the time have acknowledged the author’s
excellence, and profound knowledge of Qur’anic interpretation,
commentaries on the prophetic traditions, and theology. His extensive
knowledge and understanding of Qur’anic commentaries surpassed even some
renowned theologians in Islamic history.
Ibn Kathďr spoke of
him in his book ‘Al-Bidăya wa-’Nihăya, saying: “He was most friendly and
kindhearted, he never envied anyone, he never caused harm to anyone, he
never bore prejudice against anyone, and I was the closest to his heart.
Furthermore, I do not know anyone who is more devout in his worship than
him in our time.” A similar opinion also was quoted by Ibn Hijr.
Ibn al-Qayyim catered
to all the branches of Islamic science, and was particularly known and
commended for his commentaries. Al-Hăfiz Ibn Rajab spoke of his teacher,
saying: “He was an accomplished scholar of Islamic science, and no one
could rival him in his deep understanding of the Qur’an and prophetic
saying, and his interpretations were unique in accuracy.”
Ibn Rajab narrated
that his teacher Imam Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya learned the science of
prophetic sayings (Hadďth) from al-Shahăb al-Năbulsi, Qădhď Taqiyyu-Deen
Sulaimăn, and Fătima Bint Jawhar, among others. During his early student
life, Imam Ibn al-Qayyim sought the company of most shaikhs of his
period, and he was particularly proficient in interpreting the Hanbali
Muslim school of thoughts.
His Spiritual Life
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya
was an avid and a resolute worshipper. He devoted long hours to his
supererogatory nightly prayers, he was in a constant state of
remembrance (zikr), and he was known for his extended prostrations. One
could see on his face the clear expressions of piety, and constant
solicitation of God’s bounty and favors.
During Ibn al-Qayyim
al-Jawziyya’s imprisonment in al-Qal‘a prison in Damascus, he was
constantly reading the Qur’an, and studying its meanings. Ibn Rajab
noted that during that period of seclusion, he gained extensive
spiritual success, as well as he developed a great analytical wisdom,
knowledge, and understanding of the prophetic traditions.
Upon his release, he
performed the pilgrimage to Mecca several times, and sometimes he stayed
in Mecca for a prolonged period of devotion and circumambulation of the
holy Ka‘aba.
His Works
Al-Nu‘măn al-Alüsď al-Baghdădď
once said: “His interpretations are unique in accuracy.” The renowned
Muslim scholar at-Thahabi once said about him: “He gave great attention
to details and references of the prophetic traditions.” Furthermore,
Shaikh Burhăn al-Deen al-Zări’ spoke of him saying: “No one is as
cognizant as Ibn al-Qayyim was in his time.”
Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya’s
contributions to the Islamic library are extensive, and they
particularly deal with the Qur’anic commentaries, and understanding and
analysis of the prophetic traditions (fiqh-u Sunnah).
He compiled a large
number of studies besides his own books, including:
Tahthďb Sunan Abi
Dăwoud (Emendation of Sunan Abu Dăwoud); 2- Al-Kalăm al-Tayyib
wa-al-‘Amal al-Sălih (The Essence of Good Words and Deeds); 3-
Commentaries on the book of Shaikh ‘Abdullăh al-Ansări: Manăzil-u
Să’ireen (Stations of the Seekers); 4- Zăd al-Ma‘ăd
(Provisions of the Hereafter), from which the famous book Natural
Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet is extracted. 5- Tafsir
Mu'awwadhatain (Tafsir of Surah Falaq and Nas); 6- Fawaa'id; 7- Ad-Daa'i
wa Dawaa' ; 8- Al-Rooh; 9- Al Waabil Sayyib minal kalim tayyib; 10-
Haadi Arwah ila biladil Afrah; 11- Al Jawaabul kaafi liman sa'ala 'an
Dawaa'i Shaafi; 12- Ighadatu lahfan fi masayid shaytan; and many more
gems of works well-preserved up to this day.
Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya
died in the city of Damascus on Rajab 751 A.H.,1350 C.E., at the age of
sixty-two, and was buried besides his father at al-Sagheer Cemetery
there
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