Al-Dāʾ
الداءDefinition
The disease — the central term of the book, referring to sin and the spiritual ailments that afflict the heart. Ibn al-Qayyim deploys this medical term deliberately to establish that spiritual illness is as real, as serious, and as treatable as physical illness. Just as a physical disease left undiagnosed will progress and eventually become fatal, spiritual disease untreated will harden the heart, dim its perception of truth, and sever its connection to the divine. The choice of this term reframes the entire moral life: sin is not merely a rule broken but a wound that requires specific, targeted treatment if healing is to occur.
As understood in the classical tradition of Ibn al-Qayyim and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Al-Dāʾ.
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"believer has 160 angels assigned to protect him. This was narrated by Ibn Abi Al-Dunya and Al-Tabarani, though with a weak chain of transmission. The Hadith of Abu Al-Da'a states that God created the jinn in three types, a type like snakes and scorpions. This was narrated by Ibn Abi Al-Dunya and Ibn Hibban, though the chain is weak. Al-Hakim narrated something similar, stating there are only three types, from the Hadith of Abu Thalaba Al-Hushani, with a correct chain of transmission. Wahib Ibn Al-Ward mentioned that Iblis appeared to Yahya Ibn Zakariya, peace be upon them, and said, I wish to advise you. Yahya"
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 21: The Book of the Wonders of the Heart
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"so forgive me, for no one forgives sins except You,' his sins will be forgiven even if they are like the back of ants. This is narrated by al-Bayhaqi in al-Da'wat, with the addition of "There is no deity except You" at its beginning, and it includes Ibn Lahi'a. Chapter Three: From the accepted supplications and those attributed to their reasons and sources, which are recommended to be said by a person in the morning and evening and after every prayer."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 9: The Mysteries of Supplication
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"I have done wrong and wronged myself, so forgive my sin, for indeed You are my Lord and none forgives sins except You," is reported by Al-Bayhaqi in "Al-Da'wah" from Ali, without the phrase "my sin, for indeed You are my Lord," and it was mentioned earlier in the second chapter. Hadith: "O Allah, inspire me with my right guidance and protect me from the evil of myself," is reported by Al-Tirmidhi from Imran ibn Husayn."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 9: The Mysteries of Supplication
Appears in
1 book in the library
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