Realities of Sufism by Shaykh ʿAbd al-Qadir ʿIsa
DESCRIPTION:
The late Shaykh ʿAbd al-Qadir ʿIsa (d. 1312 H/1991 CE) was one of the revivers of the Sufi tradition in the Levant. In a time of gross materialism and imported profane ideologies into the Arab world, Shaykh ʿAbd al-Qadir ʿIsa provided the keys for a reclamation of Islam’s spiritual riches and revived the spiritual path, imparting guidance and instruction to scores of people from all strata of society.
Realities of Sufism, the Shaykh’s only book, takes readers on a journey to the heart of Islam. Expositing on the foundations of Islam’s spiritual path, Sufism, Shaykh ʿAbd al-Qadir simultaneously describes the workings of the path of excellence—ihsan—and answers the doubts of the orientalists, modernists, and would be Islamic revivalists. Some of the topics in this book include: the history and etymology of Sufism, the conditions of a true spiritual guide, the proper manners of a spiritual seeker, the outer manners of the path, the inner manners of the path, the deeds of the heart, spiritual unveiling, miracles, oneness of being, and historic testimonies to Sufism’s key role and efficacy in purifying the souls and elevating the Sacred over the profane in the lives of man.
“Our Shaykh (ra) was a Sufi of the old persuasion: the Sufism or purification indicated in the Book of Allah Most High, and which the Messenger of Allah (sa) was keen to teach. Our Shaykh used to say: ‘The spiritual path has five pillars: remembrance, instruction, knowledge, struggle, and love.’” —Shaykh Muhammad b. Yahya al-Ninowy
Sufism is good character
He who is ahead of you in good character
Is ahead of you in Sufism
DETAILS:
ISBN: 9789079294114
AUTHOR: Shaykh 'Abd al Qadir Isa
TRANSLATOR: Suraqah Abdul Aziz
BINDING: Paperback
PAGES: 415
DIMENSIONS: 17 CM x 25 CM
PUBLISHER: Sunni Publications
ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR:
Shaykh Abdul Aziz Ahmed Fredericks was born in Nottingham in the United Kingdom where he completed his schooling before moving to Leicester for University studies. He completed a BEd degree in primary education specialising in Language Arts. He then went on to carry out post-graduate studies in Education in various universities including London University Institute of Education, Strathclyde University and the Open University.
He also did research at the School of Oriental and African Studies. He has published a number of articles on education and designed the curriculum of Islamia School London at the time it achieved Voluntary Aided Status. The curriculum was published by the Islamia Schools Trust.
He edited many books on Islam including several under the direct supervision of his teacher, Fethullah Gulen. He has worked as a teacher, Head Teacher and School Principal in England, Scotland, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and USA. As an educational consultant, he has worked on projects in Turkey, Yemen, Kenya, Jordan and South Africa. He has a special interest in special educational needs and additional support and currently works full time as Additional Support Manager for a local education authority. He has worked as a policy advisor for several education authorities and schools including the UK Madrasa network.
His Islamic Studies took him to various parts of the world where he studied under many prominent traditional scholars. They include Ahmed Mashur al-Haddad under whom he studied in Jeddah and Abdul Rahman al-Khitamy in Kenya. He translated the Essentials of Islam by Ahmed bin Zayn al-Habashi and Forty Hadith on the Quran by Mullah ‘Ali al-Qari and is currently working on translations of al-Nasaih al-Dinniya of Imam al-Haddad and Riyadatul Sibyan of Imam al-Ramli.
Shaykh Abdul Aziz uses his teaching experience and interest in special needs in his dawah work calling people to Allah. Many of the courses he teaches use modern teaching methods and an interactive style. He has taught various books around the world including The Book of Assistance of Imam al-Haddad and the Forty Hadith of Imam al-Nawawi. His interest in special educational needs drove him to co-found the organisation Islamic Texts for the Blind (Kitaba). The Islamic Texts for the Blind produces books in Braille and audio format, provides accessible online classes and has an accessible web site with Islamic resources and translations. They work with government and voluntary organisations to meet the religious and cultural needs of disabled Muslims. Shaykh Abdul Aziz authored the book Living with Blindness which was used to launch a number of conferences on The Marginalised in Society addressing issues of disability and access to mosques, institutions and Islamic teachings. He is an active campaigner for free and open access to Islamic teaching for all.
