The Summary of Religious Knowledge (Mukhtasar fi Ilm ad Din)

The Summary of Religious Knowledge
(Mukhtasar fi 'ilm ad-Din)
by Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani. -

This rare manuscript was obtained from the collection of manuscripts of the Vatican Library. So far as is known, it is the only copy of this work remaining in existence. The introduction reads as follows: Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Gilani (may Allah, the Independent Sovereign, ennoble him) wrote this Summary of Religious Knowledge [Mukhtasar fi 'Ilm ad-Din] for the benefit of worshipful servants ['abidin] and followers of the spiritual path [salikin]. He designed it to include two aspects, so that anyone who put it into practise would be equipped with a pair of wings. Allah is the Guide to the path of correctness, and to Him is the return and the journey home. Section 1: The science of the Sacred Law [Shari'a] deals with general principles and specific details concerning religious duty, under seven chapter headings. Section 2: The second section is concerned with knowledge of the Spiritual Path [tariqa], which is like a sheltered kernel, while the Sacred Law [Shari'a] is like a shell that keeps it safe and sound. That is why 'Ali (may Allah be well pleased with him) once said: "All the spiritual paths [Turuq] are closed to people, apart from those who follow the command of Allah's Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace)."

To this has been added an appendix titled, "Pearls of the Heart", which is a collection of a further 18 discourses by Shaikh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, translated by Muhtar Holland from the Turkish and never before published in English. The title should be revised to read, "The Summary of Religious Knowledge and Pearls of the Heart.

Translated by Muhtar Holland.