At a time of turbulence, prevalent complaints of spiritual hyperboles and a widespread struggle with maintaining a steady spirituality, this course addresses the intellectual, emotional and psychological aspects related to sincere worship and balanced spiritual life. It summarizes the path to true freedom and balance and the way to develop a spiritual mindset that can overcome contemporary challenges. Based on Imam al-Muttaqi al-Hindi’s thematic categorization of Imam Ibn `Ata’illah’s Hikam, this course covers the entirety of this upliftingly beautiful text through a lucid unwrapping and exposition of selected aphorisms that encompass all of its thirty themes. These themes are related to every aspect of the spiritual path.
- Teacher: Shaykh Ahmed El Azhary
The Hikam is a collection of 264 aphorisms written by Imam Ibn `Ata’illah al-Sakandari, who lived in Egypt during the period of the Mamluks. For the past seven hundred years, the Hikam of Imam Ibn `Ata’illah, which is commonly known as al-Hikam al-`Ata’iyya, never failed to guide and spiritually uplift the seekers of the Path in their journey of self-purification, at the level of their thoughts, feelings, actions and intentions. The Hikam has been described by the great sage and spiritual guide of Ibn `Ata’illah, Imam Abu al–`Abbas al-Mursi as a summary of Imam al-Ghazali’s Ihya with additions to it.
- There are no specific requirements for enrolling in this course.
- This course is suitable for anyone who is interested in Islamic spirituality.
- understand the sages’ way of living a life of true freedom and balance.
- understand the spiritual implications of contraction and expansion.
- understand the middle ground between hope and fear.
- understand the power of now and the importance of living in the present time.
- understand how submission to the Divine Decree alleviates the stresses of our modern lives.
- understand the true meanings of worship and du`aa’, sins and rewards, patience and thankfulness.
