Fleeing to Allah: The Salaf and the Journey of Inner Growth

Fleeing to Allah The Salaf & The Journey of Inner Growth Selections

from the writings of Ibn Taymiyyah (D.728H). Ibn Al-Qayyim (D.751H), Ibn Rajab (D.795H). Collected by Umar Quinn

The science of the spiritual journey in Islam (*ilm al-sulak) is commonly called by many names, such as: steadfastness (al istigamab), servitude (al ‘ubidiyyab), asceticism (al-zubd), self-purification (tazkiyyab al-nafs), and character reformation (tabdbib al akblaq). It is the migration of the soul to Allah and the Hereafter upon the path of the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him). It is the study of the states of the heart and their effects on behavior.

Undoubtedly, the pious predecessors (al-Salaf al-Salib) and those who followed them in goodness were upon the wisest and safest approach to the spiritual journey in both knowledge and action. This volume serves as a primer on the subject, highlighting the preliminaries of this subject such as its source materials, its connection to the ‘Agidab of the Salaf, the stations of the spiritual path and its hazards.

Some of the greatest hazards for those embarking upon the spiritual journey are found in the Sufi approach to the subject. Because so many Muslims confuse self-purification with Sufism, this volume explains some of the grave dangers of the Sufi way.

The righteous predecessors took the practical approach of striving diligently with one’s heart while maintaining moderation in bodily worship – in other words, they assigned greater priority to quality over quantity. When the heart comes to life in such a fashion, the believer enjoys happiness while being blessed with great resilience.

In this dehumanizing modern era, in which people are avidly searching for meaning and identity, this collection of classical scholarly advices serves as a timely remedy for what ails humankind.