A Concise Description of Jannah & Jahannam The Garden of Paradise and the Fire of Hell

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A Concise Description of Jannah & Jahannam The Garden of Paradise and the Fire of Hell

"A Brief Overview of Jannah & Jahannam: Paradise & Hellfire" is a condensed extract from the comprehensive masterpiece, "Al-Ghunya li-Talibi Tariq al-Haqq" (Sufficient Provision for Seekers of the Path of Truth).

Within this enlightening work, the author delves into the profound Divine Wisdom behind the creation of these two realms, elucidating the causes leading to entry into them. The descriptions provided are vivid and firmly rooted in the teachings of the Qur'an and the Sunnah.

Authored nearly a millennium ago by Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, a figure universally revered by Muslims of all schools of thought, including the esteemed Shaikh al-Islam ibn Taymiyyah.

It is translated by Muhtar Holland, one of the foremost translators of classical Arabic.

"...contains everything a seeker needs: a sound understanding of Islamic belief; the essentials of sacred law required to perform valid acts of worship; and a detailing of the states and stations of the spiritual path."

(The Muslim World Book Review)

About The Author

About Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani

Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (Arabic: عبدالقادر الجيلاني, Persian: عبدالقادر گیلانی) was a prominent figure, a Hanbali scholar, an eloquent preacher, and a revered Sufi leader. He is notably associated with being the eponym of the Qadiriyya, which stands as one of the oldest and most esteemed Sufi orders.

He was born on March 23, 1078 (1 Ramdhan 470 AH) in the town of Na'if, Rezvanshahr, located in Gilan, Iran. His life journey culminated on February 21, 1166 (11 Rabi' al-Thani 561 AH) in Baghdad. The honorific title Muhiyudin signifies his elevated status among many Sufis as a "reviver of religion." The appellation "Gilani" (Arabic: al-Jilani) is derived from his birthplace in Gilan,while "Baghdadi" signifies his residence and final resting place in Baghdad. He was also known by the name Gauth Al-Azam.

Family Background

Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani was born in the year 1077 or 1078. Although he is celebrated for his contributions, his family background remains somewhat ambiguous. His father, or possibly his grandfather, bore the Iranian name of Jangi Dust, which suggests his Persian lineage.The nisba attached to his name, "from Gilan," alludes to the Iranian region located along the southwestern shores of the Caspian Sea.

During his residence in Baghdad, he earned the epithet "ajami" (non-Arab), likely because he spoke Persian in addition to Arabic. Although some historical accounts, such as the 15th-century al-Nujūm al-ẓāhira by Ibn Taghribirdi, propose that Gilani was born in Jil in Iraq, this claim has been questioned by the French historian Jacqueline Chabbi. Contemporary historians, including Lawrence, concur that Gilani was indeed born in Gilan. During that era, the region was politically semi-autonomous, marked by divisions between local chieftains from various clans.

Gilani is often asserted to be a descendant of Hasan ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, a claim widely accepted within the Muslim community, including among the Qadiriyya. However, Lawrence raises doubts about this lineage due to the suggested Persian heritage, considering it a product of "overzealous hagiographers."

Education

Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani's early years were spent in his place of birth, Gilan. In 1095, he embarked on a journey to Baghdad, where he commenced the study of Hanbali jurisprudence under the guidance of Abu Saeed Mubarak Makhzoomi and ibn Aqil. He furthered his knowledge of hadith under the tutelage of Abu Muhammad Ja'far al-Sarraj. His spiritual mentor in the realm of Sufism was Abu'l-Khair Hammad ibn Muslim al-Dabbas. After completing his education, Gilani left Baghdad and spent the next twenty-five years wandering through the deserts of Iraq.

School of Law

Gilani was affiliated with both the Shafi'i and Hanbali schools of law. Notably, he held Shafi'i jurisprudence (fiqh) in equal regard with the Hanbali school (madhhab) and often issued legal rulings (fatwa) in accordance with both simultaneously. This earned him high praise from al-Nawawi in his work titled "Bustan al-'Arifin" (Garden of the Spiritual Masters), where he stated:

"We have never known anyone more dignified than Baghdad's Sheikh Muhyi al-Din 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, may Allah be pleased with him, the Sheikh of Shafi'is and Hanbalis in Baghdad."

Later Life

In 1127, Gilani returned to Baghdad and began preaching to the public. He joined the teaching staff of the school that belonged to his teacher, al-Mazkhzoomi, and gained popularity among students. In the mornings, he delivered lessons on hadith and tafsir, while in the afternoons, he expounded on the science of the heart and the virtues of the Quran. He was known as a compelling orator, converting numerous Jews and Christians while seamlessly integrating Sufi mysticism with Islamic Law.

Death and Burial

Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani passed away in 1166 and found his final resting place in Baghdad. His urs (death anniversary of a Sufi saint) is traditionally observed on 11 Rabi' al-Thani.

During the reign of Safavid Shah Ismail I, Gilani's shrine was destroyed. However, in 1535, the Ottoman emperor Suleiman the Magnificent had a dome constructed over the shrine, preserving the memory and significance of this esteemed Sufi leader.

About The Translator

Muhtar Holland

Muhtar Holland's life journey commenced in 1935, in the ancient city of Durham, situated in the North East of England. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that this statement can be regarded as anachronistic, as his name wasn't Muhtar until the transformative year of 1969. It was in 1969 that he underwent profound experiences during the practice of latihan kejiwaan within the Subud community, experiences that led him to embrace the religion of Islam.

At the tender age of four, an entry in his father's diary reveals a poignant moment when he responded to a man's inquiry about his name with, "I'm a stranger to myself." During his school years, his passion for languages became evident, as they seemed to serve as guideposts on his "Journey Home." Languages weren't just a practical skill for him but also a means to explore foreign lands during his vacations. He embarked on these journeys initially on a bicycle. His formal studies included Latin, Greek, French, Spanish, and Danish, and he also dabbled in Anglo-Saxon, Italian, German, and Dutch. His travels took him through France, Germany, Belgium, Holland, and Denmark.

Subsequently, he was awarded a State Scholarship and pursued a degree course at Balliol College, Oxford, focusing on Arabic and Turkish studies. Further travels led him to Turkey and Syria. Following his academic pursuits, he completed his National Service in the Royal Navy, where he immersed himself in an intensive course in the Russian language, an experience that broadened his linguistic horizons.

In the years that followed his graduation from Oxford and his service in Her Majesty's Senior Service, Mr. Holland held various academic positions, including at the University of Toronto in Canada, the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London in England (where he took a five-month leave to study Islamic Law in Cairo, Egypt), and the Universiti Kebangsaan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (with a subsequent six-month stay in Indonesia). He also contributed as a Senior Research Fellow at the Islamic Foundation in Leicester, England, and served as the Director of the Nur al-Islam Translation Center in Valley Cottage, New York.

Throughout his career, his freelance activities were primarily dedicated to writing and translating, spanning different parts of the world, including Scotland and California. His spiritual journey culminated in his Pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca in 1980.

About the Publisher

Ta-Ha Publications (Taha Publishers)

Ta-Ha Publishers Ltd. was established in 1400 AH/1980 CE, when our first small book was published. Since that time, we have been responsible for over 250 publications, some 150 of which are currently in print and distributed worldwide.

Our titles range from recent translations of early classical works by Muslim scholars to more modern issues tackled by contemporary authors. In fact, there is something for Muslims and non-Muslims of every age.

It has always been and continues to be the aim of Ta-Ha Publishers to assist in making the teachings of Islam more readily available and accessible for everyone.