What did Ibn al-Qayyim say about love of Allah?
Ibn al-Qayyim wrote that the heart has no nourishment other than love of Allah. His treatment of love — its signs, its obstacles, its kindling — is among the most lyrical in the tradition.
6 passages from 5 books in the library
The classical approach.
These passages are drawn from 5 books by Ibn Battuta, Imam al-Ghazali, and Ibn Kathir — part of the classical Sunni tradition that carries over a thousand years of reflection on the Qurʾān, the authentic Sunnah, and the consensus of the early community. Nothing below is a paraphrase. The words are the scholars' own, translated from the original Arabic manuscripts.
14th century · Tangier, Morocco
The Riḥlah — a 30-year, 75,000-mile journey across three continents, and the most important travel account of the pre-modern world.
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"At that moment, I aimed to visit his exalted presence, motivated by memories of my homeland, longing for family and friends, and love for my country, which holds a special place in my heart over other lands."
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
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"Anas narrated that the Muslims were never more rejoiced than on the day they heard this, as their greatest desire was the love of God and His Messenger."
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"Anas continued, saying, We love the Messenger of God, Abu Bakr and Umar, but we do not act as they did, and we hope to be with them."
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"God placed all evil in a house and made its key the love of the world, and He placed all good in a house and made its key the renunciation of the world."
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"Thus, both love and worship are blessings from him who initiated you with them without merit, for there is no prior cause or connection."
14th century · Bosra, Syria
Monumental history Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, the world's most widely read Qurʾanic commentary, and the classical Stories of the Prophets.
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"Moses asked his Lord about six qualities believing they were exclusive to him and the seventh was one that Moses did not love"
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