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Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya
Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya (1292-1350 CE) is one of the most prominent Islamic scholars of the eighth century AH. He was a jurist, traditionalist, exegete, and man of letters. He accompanied his teacher Ibn Taymiyyah for 16 years and left more than sixty works in various Islamic sciences. His most famous works include: Zad al-Ma'ad, Ighathat al-Lahfan, Madarij al-Salikin, and Al-Fawa'id.
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Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya (1292-1350 CE) is one of the most prominent Islamic scholars of the eighth century AH. He was a jurist, traditionalist, exegete, and man of letters. He accompanied his teacher Ibn Taymiyyah for 16 years and left more than sixty works in various Islamic sciences. His most famous works include: Zad al-Ma'ad, Ighathat al-Lahfan, Madarij al-Salikin, and Al-Fawa'id.
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Shams al-Din Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr ibn Ayyub ibn Sa'd ibn Hariz ibn Mika'il al-Zur'i al-Dimashqi, known as Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya, was born in Damascus in 691 AH (1292 CE) and died there in 751 AH (1350 CE).
He is one of the most prominent Islamic scholars of the eighth century AH, and was a jurist, traditionalist, exegete, man of letters, and poet. He received his education from his teacher Ibn Taymiyyah, by whom he was deeply influenced in his intellectual and scientific methodology.
1 His Life and Education:
Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya grew up in a noble family in Damascus and began seeking knowledge from a young age. He studied under many scholars of Damascus, the most prominent being the Sheikh of Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, whom he accompanied for about 16 years, receiving from him the teachings of Sharia, creed, exegesis, and hadith.
He studied jurisprudence according to the Hanbali school and mastered the sciences of hadith, exegesis, and the Arabic language. He excelled in many sciences, including: jurisprudence and its principles, hadith and its terminology, exegesis, creed, spirituality, ethics, and medicine.
2 His Works:
Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya left a vast scientific heritage of more than sixty works in various Islamic sciences. Among his most famous works:
Zad al-Ma'ad fi Hadi Khayr al-Ibad: In three volumes, explaining the legal hadiths in Zad al-Ma'ad, containing medical and jurisprudential benefits.
Ighathat al-Lahfan min Masayid al-Shaytan: In two volumes, dealing with self-control and desires.
Madarij al-Salikin bayna Manazil Iyaka Na'bud wa Iyaka Nasta'in: In three volumes, commentary on the stations of servitude in the Quran.
Al-Fawa'id: A book collecting benefits, maxims, and scientific notes.
Al-Ruh: In one volume, dealing with the soul and its rules.
I'lam al-Muwaqqi'in 'an Rabb al-Alamin: In five volumes, on the principles of jurisprudence and rules of fatwa.
Bada'i' al-Fawa'id: In one volume, containing varied benefits in different sciences.
Tariq al-Hijratayn wa Bab al-Sa'adatayn: In one volume, dealing with migration to Allah and migration to His Messenger.
Jala' al-Afham fi al-Salah wa al-Salam 'ala Khayr al-Anam: In one volume, on the prayer upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
Ahkam Ahl al-Dhimma: In three volumes, dealing with the rules concerning dhimmis in Islam.
3 His Scientific Methodology:
Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya's methodology was characterized by attachment to the Quran and Sunnah, distancing from sectarian fanaticism, deep analysis of texts, and linking religious sciences with rational sciences.
He played a major role in defending the methodology of the predecessors (salaf) and refuting those who opposed them among the proponents of innovation and desires. He also had special interest in medicine, leaving works on prophetic medicine and preventive medicine.
4 His Intellectual Thoughts:
Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya called for return to the Quran and Sunnah, emphasizing the importance of understanding texts in their context and warning against blind imitation of schools of thought. He focused on the theme of tawhid (monotheism) and servitude to Allah, emphasizing the importance of good deeds alongside faith.
5 His Death:
Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya died in Damascus in 751 AH (1350 CE), at the age of 59. He was buried in the Bab al-Saghir cemetery in Damascus, beside the grave of his teacher Ibn Taymiyyah.
6 His Influence:
Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya had a major influence on the Islamic scientific movement, and his works remain a fundamental reference for researchers and students to this day. He is considered one of the most eminent Islamic thinkers who combined religious sciences with rational sciences.
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