Sufi Book of Spiritual Ascent: (Al-Risala Al-Qushayriya) Paperback – January 1, 1997

I have made multiple attempts to get hold of this work in the past. I came to see that it must be a guarded secret. Finally reading it, I see that it serves as a useful reminder for me, which I can find easy application in life. I finally purchased it at a meaningful time with sychrynous events running rampent. My Wing Chung instructor has been in touch and reminded me too relax. This is know as a textbook, for a reason. It is not one of those textbooks you should expect to find in a used bookstore. Owners will pass them along, not sell them. So, it is not impossible to find them used, but certainly not without chasing.

There are many categories covered in this book, all of which are a must read. I personally found the categories on envy, patience and hope particularly helpful. This is a book for the reflective soul.

A great book by Qushairi. If you are interested in walking on a spiritual path to get close to Allah swt,this is a must read.

al-Qushayri (986 AD -1072 AD) lived in Khurasan, the richest center of eastern Islamic Civilization down to the 13th Century AD.He had a strong intellectual grounding in the Qur'an, Qura'anic Exegesis, Hadith, as well as an accomplished Sufi of his time. He was known not only for his beautiful writing in poetry and prose but his courage as a rider and swordsman.A contemporary of al-Qushayri was Syed Ali al-Hujweri who wrote the Kashful Mahjub, which is often quoted in this book.The book gets its message across by generous quotes from the Hadith and sayings from the venerated companions and saints.The table of contents is self-explanatory:On Repentance (Tawba) - On Striving (Mujahada) - On Retreat and Seclusion - On God-Wariness (Taqwa) - On Abstaining - On Renunciation - On Silence - On Fear - On Hope - On Sorrow - On Hunger and Abandonment of Lust - On Humility and Submissiveness - On Opposing the Ego and Remembering Its Faults - On Envy - On Backbiting - On Contentement - On Trust in God - On Thankfulness - On Certainty - On Patience - On Vigilance - On Satisfaction - On Servanthood - On WillPower -On Steadfastness - On Sincerity - On Truthfulness - On Shame - On Freedom - On Remembrance (Dhikr) - On Spiritual Chivalry - On Spiritual Insight - On Moral Character - On Bountifulness and Generousity - On Jelousy - On Sainthood - On Supplication - On Spiritual Poverty - On Sufism - On Model Behaviour - On Gnosis - On Love - On Longing,The book has been translated into simple language and speaks directly without difficult and couched meanings.A quote from the Chapter on Love:"God Most High revealed to Jesus, 'When I look upon the heart of a servant and do not find in it the love of this world or the next, I fill it with the love of Me.'"In the Chapter on Humility:"It is said that humilty is a fading that comes over the heart when it becomes aware of the Lord, or else that it is the heart's melting and drawing back before the power of reality."In the Chapter on Hope:Malik bin Dinar was seen in a dream. He was asked, "What has God done with you?" "I was brought before my Lord Almighty and Glorious with many sins," he replied. "My good thoughts of Him made them vanish from me."Personally, I have read many translated books on Sufism by the Early Masters, and this book is among my favourites. It is both heartwarming and inspiring.

As quoted by Maulana Rumi, this book is a reference for the sufi and the muslim. Themes of the everyday life of a muslim, let along a sufi, are explained, broadened and exposed under different point of views. O Allah, forgive us for we constantly misinterpret the meaning of a sin. A must read for every muslim who wants to purify him/herself and follow the footsteps of our dear leader Muhammad (sas).