Every breath we take is taking us closer to death. The time we spend in this world is short, the time we are held in our graves is long, and the punishment for following our lowly desires is calamitous. Know that all the facets of mankind's disposition are for their benefit - either directly such as the desire for food, or indirectly by preventing harm, such as the capacity for anger. However, when these natural impulses are not moderated it culminates in harm. If the desire for food is excessive it leads to gluttony.

The first ever verse translation of Book Three of the Masnavi, It follows the original by presenting Rumi's most mature mystical teachings in simple and attractive rhyming couplets.

'Our soul each moment struggles hard with death -
Think of your faith as though it's your last breath.
Your life is like a purse, and night and day
Are counters of gold coins you've put away'

The Kuwait Minister of Communications then Minister of State, educator, world caller to Allah, learned scholar of Prophetic descent and spiritual guide of the Rifāʿī Tariqa as well as lineage, Sayyid Abū Yaʿqūb Yūsuf b. Sayyid Hāshim b. Sayyid Aḥmad al-Rifāʿī al-Ḥusaynī al-Shāfiʿī (1351-1439/1932-2018) is the author of al-Radd al-Muḥkam al-Manīʿ ʿalā Ibn Manīʿ (The Decisive Refutation of Ibn Manīʿ), also known as Adillat Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jamāʿa (The Proofs of Sunnis Against Wahhabis) originally written in defense of Sayyid Muhammad b. Alawi al-Maliki; al-Ṣufiyya wal-Taṣawwuf (Sufis and Sufism); Khawāṭir fīl-Siyāsa wal-Mujtamaʿ (Thoughts on Politics and Society); and al-Imām al-Sayyid Aḥmad al-Rifāʿī.

The translator first met Sayyid Yusuf in 1996 at the first International Islamic Unity Conference organized by Mawlana Shaykh Hisham Kabbani in Los Angeles, California. He subsequently kept company with him in his dīwān of Mezzeh in Damascus and at his side in his visits to the Rifaʿī tribe in Rankūs and other areas of Syria from 1997 to 2006. He read with him Imam al-Suyūṭī's al-Khaṣāʾiṣ al-Ṣughrā and al-Shaʿrānī's Tanbīh al-Ghāfilīn. He was graced with authorization from him in the Rifāʿī Tariqa and Hadith narration in 1424/2003 and vibrant forewords for two of his books, The Four Imams and Their Schools and The Damascus Answers on the Sufi Issues.

Review by Imam Muhammad Sa'id Ramadan al-Buti

I read this epistle of his. All it took to make me read it was its title that shines with the marks of appreciation for others, purity of purpose, and the motivation of cooperation in the way of seeking Divine good pleasure: Advice to Our Brothers the Scholars of Najd. Had I seen something contrary to these elements in the title I would not have paid any attention to the book nor wasted dearly precious time reading it.

When I began to read it I saw exactly what conformed with the promise of the title and fulfilled it: a quiet, kind reminder and counsels that show true jealous concern over the Religion of Allah as well as pure concern for those brethren lest they stray from the path of Allah.

I reviewed the counsels of my brother, Sayyid Yusuf al-Rifa'i, to those brothers from the first to the last. Then I weighed those counsels in the scales of the Divine Law as I understand them to be, its proofs, and its source-texts. I found him in the right in all of his advices and warnings to them. More than that, he is truly speaking, in this capacity, in the name of all the Ulema of the Muslims who follow the guidance of the Qur'an and Sunna and tread the path and method of the pious Predecessors, whoever and wherever they are.

Explanation of a Summary of al Aqeedatul Hamawiyyah of Ibn Taymiyah is the commentary on one of Ibn Taymiyyah's works al-Fatwaa al-Hamawiyyah which he wrote as an answer to a question presented to him in the Hijrah year of 698 from Hamaah, a place in ash-Shaam.

In it, he was asked what the scholars and Imaams of the religion say concerning the Aayaat and the Ahaadeeth of the Sifaat, or the attributes and characteristics of Allaah. So he answered in about 83 pages and due to which, he suffered trials and afflictions. May Allaah reward him on behalf of Islaam and the Muslims with the best of rewards.

Due to the difficulty in understanding and comprehending this answer from many readers, Ibn Uthaymeen has summarized the most important points from it along with some other needed additions.

From New York Times bestselling author of Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Nabeel Qureshi--a former Muslim--comes his deeply personal, challenging, and respectful answer book to the many questions surrounding jihad, the rise of ISIS, and Islamic terrorism.

San Bernardino was the most lethal terror attack on American soil since 9/11, and it came on the heels of a coordinated assault on Paris. There is no question that innocents were slaughtered in the name of Allah and in the way of jihad (meaning warfare against the enemies of Islam, in this case).

But do the terrorists' actions actually reflect the broader religion of Islam? The answer to this question is more pressing than ever, as many Muslim refugees are still migrating to the West, seeking shelter from the violent ideologies of ISIS, Al-Qaida, and other radical Islamic groups.

Setting aside speculations and competing voices, Qureshi explores the answers to difficult questions like:

• What is Islam, and is it a religion of peace or violence?
• Is there a clear definition and doctrine of jihad?
• How are we to understand jihad and radical expressions of Islam in relation to our Muslim neighbors and friends?
• Why is there such a surge of Islamist terrorism in the world today, and how should we respond?
• How does jihad compare with Old Testament calls to warfare?

In Answering Jihad, bestselling author Nabeel Qureshi answers these urgent questions from the perspective of a former Muslim who is deeply concerned for both his Muslim family and his American homeland.

The doctrinal creed of the largest denomination of Muslims that came to be known as 'The Adherents to the Sunna and the Congregation' found staunch defenders in the school of the 'Arch-master of guidance' (Imam al-huda) and 'Standard-bearer of guidance' (Alam al-huda) of Samarqand, Abu Mansur al-Maturidi (d.333/945), who codified the theology of 'the Greatest Leader' (al-Imam al-A'zam) Abu Hanifa.

This work is a survey of the most important Maturidi authorities and their doctrinal textbooks with a condensed overview of the bio-bibliography of Maturidi scholarship in descending order of antiquity.

It highlights their resolutions (taqrirat) as the defining parameters of Sunnism and can serve both as an introductory synopsis of the great themes of Maturidism and as a tool for the study of the school's theology from its early founders to our time.

This paper in the series explores one of the first principles of metaphysics, the principle of identity in its logical form, namely, the principle of non-contradiction, and the relationship between its metaphysical and logical dimensions. It is invariably the task of revelation to provide definable and recognizable references that can be brought into human understanding. Logic is given the role of providing in us an eternal order reflective of the order of creation, a role that bestows it therefore with a certain sacrality. the Kantian conceptualist contention, now often encountered, establishes the basis for the contemporary de-ontologization of logic, since it creates a split between second intentions and first intentions, ensuring that reality has no input into the workings of the mind. Secondary intelligibles, however, are based on first intelligibles - things that exist - and thus they are ontologically dependent and reflective of that order. The logical thus can never contradict the metaphysical, and the metaphysical can never, in turn, be illogical. This seamlessness between the two orders is critical to the safeguarding of a sound intellectual discourse enabling the human soul to understand its existential condition, a condition that remains the same regardless of time and place

The Alchemy of Happiness is a work of Islamic philosophy by Persian theologian, philosopher, mystic, and moralist Al-Ghazzali. Written around AD 1105, this was one of many works by the great man to help Muslims clarify which aspects of contemporary philosophy contradicted the faith, and which supported it.

In middle age, Al-Ghazzali was in the midst of a successful career as a well-known educator and guest at the court of a powerful vizier. Despite his accomplishments, he abandoned his lucrative posts in AD 1095 and disposed of his wealth, electing to live as an ascetic and mystic. He chose not to teach at state-sponsored schools anymore, opting for a life of seclusion and teaching at smaller, donation-supported schools.

He was considered one of the renewers of Islam, who are said to appear at the start of each century to cleanse the faith and keep it pure. This belief was supported by Al-Ghazzali's writing. He wrote over seventy works during his lifetime, with another twenty attributed to him but unconfirmed.

Near the beginning of the twelfth century, Al-Ghazzali wrote The Alchemy of Happiness. It is a shorter, Persian version of his previous work, The Revival of Religious Sciences, originally written in Arabic. It is one of his many works of Sufism, and is considered Al-Ghazzali's most important Persian writing.

The first four chapters of this book are commentary on the famous traditional saying from Muhammad: He who knows himself knows God.

In the first chapter, Al-Ghazzali explains the knowledge of the self. Each of us has attributes of animals, devils, and angels, he writes, and it is up to us to determine which are which. Rather than indulging in earthly pleasures that come to us from our more brutish instincts, we should strive toward our angelic selves, and Contemplate the beauty of God.

The second chapter is concerned with the knowledge of God. Starting from the premise that man did not make himself, and that everything mortal man needs has been provided from the storehouse of creation, we begin to become aware of God's mercy and love. The events of a lifetime, even illness and suffering, are designed to lead individuals to God.

In the next chapter, we learn about the world as it is. It is a place where we are put to prepare for our future journey-that is, to prepare for the afterlife. If we spend our time caring for our bodies and nourishing our souls through knowledge and love of God, we will be prepared for the next phase of our journeys to happiness.

The final step in the alchemy is the knowledge of the next world. Each man possesses two souls: an animal and an angelic soul. The animal soul emits from the heart, and powers the organs and limbs of the body. When that heart ceases to beat, the animal soul dies. The angelic soul is not tied to the body, so when the animal soul dies, the angelic soul is freed. If that soul was tied to earthly pleasures like money and family, it will suffer from the loss of them. But if the soul had a lesser connection to the world and a stronger connection to God, then it will rejoice and be at peace.

The remaining chapters of the book go into greater detail about religious life; exploring music, self-examination, and marriage as either aids or detractors to the work of the angelic soul.

The primary thesis of The Alchemy of Happiness is that a life of self-discipline and devotion to God is fundamental to the joy of living.

Al-Ghazzali's legacy was to bring Sufism, or Islamic mysticism, into the orthodoxy of Islam. He is considered by some to be the most important Muslim after the prophet Muhammad, and he was given the title The Proof of Islam during his life.

The Life of the Prophets in their Graves by the late Muhaddith of Mecca, Sayyid Muhammad ibn al-Alawi al-Maliki is a simple yet profound overview covering the subject matter at hand. Sayyid Muhammad tackles the issue by addressing the following:

1. His ﷺ Saying {Verily You Shall Die} (39:30)
2. The Isthmus-Life of Prophets: Proof-Texts
3. Commentary and Further Proof-Texts
4. The Special Life of Our Prophet ﷺ
5. The Prophet ﷺ Answers Whoever Calls Him
6. The Sending of Salām by Courier to the Prophet ﷺ
7. Salām and Adhān Heard from the Noble Grave

The proof-texts for the life of Prophets in the grave are numerous. It is hoped that by the completion of this book, readers will be able to firmly understand introductory level concepts on this subject matter.

About The Author

Sayyid Muhammad Ibn al-Alawi bin Abbas al-Maliki al-Hasani was one of the foremost traditional Islamic scholars of contemporary times, and without doubt, the most highly respected and loved scholar of the holy city of Makkah and the entire Hijaz region (Western Arabia). He is a grandson of the Prophet ﷺ, a leader of the Ahl al-Bayt, the Imam of Hadith in our age, an authority of the four Madhhabs, a spiritual leader of the highest caliber, a caller to Allah par excellence, and unparalleled in his standing in the world of traditional Islamic scholarship. Visiting him was considered imperative for the ʿUlama who would make the journey to Makkah.

By God, the earth is never going to be without the one who rises for God with proof, (be he) either known and manifest or hidden and fearful.

So that the proof of God and His clear evidence is not invalidated. Reported from Imam Ali (as)

Imam Mahdi is the inheritor of the deep knowledge of the Holy Prophet. He is the proof of God and His voice among people.He is truthful and precise in everything. He possesses hukm, a divine mandate, and knowledge of the Names. His presence is necessary to uphold the divine connection between the realm of this world and higher worlds without which the purpose of the creation of humanity-which is to be guided towards perfection by God-would vanish. When he returns, his mission will be to fill the world with justice after it has been filled with oppression. By exploring verses of the Qur'an and the hadith corpus, this book seeks to understand each of these spiritual positions and how Imam Mahdi will accomplish his mission.

This book is an explanatory guide of the rules, principles and practices of one of Islams largest and fastest growing spiritual traditions. It is a compilation of the knowledge contained in the Tariqas most prominent books. This is the most concise and complete book on this Tariqa and its practices which are based on the Holy Quran and Prophetic way of life.

The subject-matter of this kitaab, however, is the aspect of Aqeedah that deals with Imaan in Allaah Ta aalaa, in His Ambiyaa, in His Malaa'ikah, in His Kutub, in Jannah and Jahannam, in the Day of Qiyaamah, in the Signs of the Hour, etc.

In the present age, there are numerous baatil groups promoting their own baatil beliefs that are in conflict with the age-old beliefs of Ahlus Sunnah wal-Jamaa ah. This kitaab is meant to ground the readers in the correct Aqaa'id (beliefs) of Ahlus Sunnah wal-Jamaa ah.

Part of Imaam at-Taftaazaani's intention when he wrote this sharh was to thoroughly refute the Ahl-e-Baatil, such as the Mu tazilah, the Karraamiyyah, the Khawaarij, the Philosophers, etc. However, a person might object at this juncture saying that those groups died out long ago so of what use is the study of this kitaab?

The answer to that objection is that what he intended to achieve in this sharh was not merely to refute those groups and there arguments of those groups, but to open up the minds of the readers, those who study this kitaab, so that whatever baatil groups emerge in later generations and whatever baatil arguments they may bring for their corrupt views, their baatil may be easily, and adequately refuted. His intention, then, was not merely to teach the readers the subject matter mentioned in this book, but to teach them how to think.

This short treatise on theology written by Imam Abu Ja'far Al Tahawi is a basic text for all times as it lists what we all must believe. The focus of this commentary is to explain the correct beliefs of a Muslim while avoiding any technical discussion of the theological issues.

This edition along with the Arabic text includes the English and the Persian translations of the book with footnotes.

This book was written by the khalifah of Shaykh Ahmad al-Tijani, whos name is Shaykh al-Islam al-Hajj Ibrahim Niass. It is a masterful defense and clarifying text that places the Tariqa Tijaniyya squarely within the realms of Islams Sharia and authentic sunni tradition.

The author of this treatise is Imam abu Jafar al Tahawi (239 - 321 AH), one of the leading authorities on the Hanafi madhab. The period he lived in was the zenith of the dissemination of the Islamic sciences and Imam at Tahawi was one of the giants this era produced.

To illustrate this; his teachers included Imam Ismail ibn Yahya Al Muzani (a major student of Imam al shaafi), he collected hadith from Imam an-Nasai (author of Sunan an-Nasai, one of the saheeh Sittah) and his students included the great Muhaddith Imam At-Tabarani.

The purpose of this treatise was to state the creed of the early scholars of the Hanafi madhab and to indicate its correlation with the views of Ahl As-Sunnah Wal Jamaah in general. Imam Dhahabi (673-748 AH) said about At-Tahawi - He was the muhaddith and faqih of Egypt, equally distinguished in both fields. Whoever reads the word of this Imam is sure to acknowledge his erudition and width of vision. Ibn Kathir (702-774 AH) said - He was the most reliable and correct narrator of hadith and one of the greatest scholars of hadith. Ibn Hajr Al Asaqalani (773-853 AH) said - He was a reliable narrator, a great scholar, a famous jurist, very knowledgeable concerning the controversies of the jurists, and a man of keen interests.