Perfection of Morals – Ikmaalush Shiyam pdf

Perfection of Morals

PERFECTION OF MORALS

Book Contents

• MEANINGS OF SOME TERMS
• PREFACE
• TABWEEBUL HIKAM
• CHAPTER ON KNOWLEDGE
• CHAPTER ON TAUBAH (REPENTANCE)
• CHAPTER ON IKHLAAS (SINCERITY) IN ACTIONS
• CHAPTER ON NAMAAZ
• CHAPTER ON SOLITUDE AND ASCETICISM
• CHAPTER ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TIME
• CHAPTER ON THE THIKR OF ALLAH
• CHAPTER ON FIKR (CONTEMPLATION)
• CHAPTER ON ZUHD (ASCETICISM) AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE
• CHAPTER ON POVERTY
• CHAPTER ON THE EVILS OF THE NAFS AND OPPOSITION TO IT
• CHAPTER ON MODERATION IN HOPES AND WISHES
• CHAPTER ON THE AADAAB (RESPECT, ETIQUETTE, RULES) OF DUAA
• CHAPTER ON ACKNOWLEDGING ALLAH’S COMMAND AND ABANDONING ONE’S OWN CHOICE
• CHAPTER ON PATIENCE AT THE TIME OF CALAMITIES AND HARDSHIPS
• CHAPTER ON THE BOUNDLESS MERCY AND KINDNESS OF ALLAH ON HIS SERVANTS
• CHAPTER ON SUHBAT (COMPANIONSHIP)
• CHAPTER ON TAMA’ (DESIRE)
• CHAPTER ON TAWAADHU’ (HUMILITY)
• CHAPTER ON ISTIDRAAJ (RESPITE)
• CHAPTER ON WIRD, WAZIFAH AND THE ANWAAR WHICH FLOW INTO THE HEART
• CHAPTER ON THE DIFFERENT STATES OF THE SAALIKEEN REGARDING THE BEGINNING AND END (OF THE SPIRITUAL SOJOURN)
• CHAPTER ON QABDH AND BAST
• CHAPTER ON ANWAAR AND THEIR CATEGORIES
• CHAPTER ON NATURAL DISPOSITION AND DIVINE PROXIMITY
• CHAPTER ON ALLAH’S PROXIMITY TO CREATION
• CHAPTER ON SOME STATES OF THE AARIFEEN
• CHAPTER ON FIRAASAT (INSIGHT) AND ISTIDLAAL (DEDUCTION)
• CHAPTER ON WA’Z (LECTURING), NASEEHAT (GOOD COUNSELLING) AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE HEART
• CHAPTER ON SHUKR (GRATITUDE)
• THE SUPPLICATION OF THE AUTHOR
• 35. SIMPLIFICATION OF SULOOK

Ikmalush Shiyam (Perfection of Morals) is a treatise for the Muhibbeen (Lovers of Allah). Although every Mu’min is a Lover of Allah, this treatise is largely directed to the attention of the  Muhibbeen who are conscious of Divine Love.

Nevertheless, it will benefit even the unconscious lovers by inducing in them some consciousness of the love lying dormant in their hearts which have been created for being the Abodes of Divine Love.

Since Ikmalush Shiyam is a treatise for Muhibbeen, it speaks the language of love – Divine Love.

Thus, the book abounds with paradoxes and seemingly contradictory calls and cries sounded for the guidance of those who understand the language of Allah’s Love. The advices and prescriptions herein are balm for the Souls searching the Path of Love, leading to their Beloved, Allah Azza Wa Jala.

This book is not for the rational probing of a sceptic mind stunted by crass materialism. While such a mind denuded of Divine Illumination will be incapable of absorbing the treasures of Ikmalush Shiyam,

the heart basking in the warmth of Divine Love will readily comprehend and relish the wealth of guidance so necessary for the  perfection of morals – a perfection without which the Muhib (Lover) cannever aspire to reach his Beloved.

For lack of proper translations, certain terms are used in their original forms. The rich and  proper meanings of many words used in Urdu and Arabic cannot be conveyed by a straight-forward translated or literal version.

It is, therefore, considered advisable to present here some explanation of certain Urdu terms which will be recurring throughout this treatise.

Terms

Mushaahadah: Literally mushaahadah means: observation, vision, to view, to behold. In the context  of Tasawwuf it means:

To see Allah Ta’ala with the eyes of the heart; spiritual vision; being in close communion with Allah Ta’ala, which is the spiritual (roohaani) experience which produces greater conviction in the heart than the vision of the physical eyes.

Sulook: Literally it means: road, path, way. In the language of the Auliya it refers to Tasawwuf or the Path of moral reformation and spiritual elevation leading to Allah Ta’ala.

Saalik: The devotee in Sulook; the Sufi.

Ma-aarif: Literally it means: knowledges, sciences. In Sufi terminology it refers to spiritual  knowledge acquired by the process of Divine Intuition.

Asraar: This term has two different meanings.

(1) Spiritual mysteries acquired from Allah Ta’ala by way of Divine Illumination.

(2) The spiritual faculties within the human body. There are six such faculties, viz., Aql

(intelligence), Rooh (soul), Qalb (spiritual heart), Nafs (the ego or carnal-self), Khafi and

Akhfaa. There are no English terms for the latter two faculties.

Khaaliq: The Creator, Allah Ta’ala.