Imaam Ibn Al-Jawzee – AbdurRahman.Org

Averting Ghamm (Grief) and Hamm (Worry) – Imam Ibn al-Jawzi

by AbdurRahman.orgSeptember 9, 2015October 22, 2026

Ghamm Occurs Due To Misfortunes that happened in the past while hamm occurs due to an expected misfortune in the future.

When someone has the feeling of grief in regard to his past sins, his grief will benefit him, because he is rewarded for it. Whoever worries about a good deed he wishes to do, his worry will benefit him as well. However if someone grieves for something that he missed from this world, then [he should know] that the missed thing will not return and that grief harms, so practically he is adding harm to harm, as I have mentioned in the previous chapter.

A resolute person should protect himself from what brings about grief, and that is losing an object he loves. Therefore, whoever has many objects that he loves, his grief increases, and whoever decreases his objects of love his grief decreases accordingly. Someone may say, when I have no objects of love I also still have grief, we affirm this but we say to him; your grief over not having a loved one is not even a tenth of the grief experienced by the one who has lost a loved one. Have you not noticed that the one who does not have a child lives in grief but not as much as the one who lost his child?! Moreover when a person becomes accustomed to what he loves and enjoys it for a long period of time, it takes over his heart, therefore when he loses it he will feel the bitterness of his loss which will be greater than all the satisfaction he had during his lifetime. This is because the loved one is corresponding to the self just as health corresponds to it, which causes the self not to find satisfaction except in it, for its absence disturbs it. This is why the self grieves for its loss much more than it rejoices in its presence, because the inner self believes that what it had was its given right to possess. Therefore a wise person should monitor the closeness between himself, his beloved to ensure it remains moderately balanced, however if he requires that which brings about grief [i.e. loving some object or person], this causes grief then the cure is first to believe in predestination and that whatever Allah predestines is going to happen. He should then know that life is founded on distress, all constructed buildings shall eventually be ruined, all gatherings shall eventually depart, and whoever wants the lasting of what does not last is like he who wants what does not exist to exist. Therefore he should not ask of life what it was not created for.

Beware of procrastination, for it is one of devil’s strongest weapons – Ibn al Jawzi

by AbdurRahman.orgNovember 11, 2014

Devil’s Deception of People by giving them High Hopes (of living long)

Many Jews and Christians contemplated joining Islam, but Iblis convinced them to procrastinate saying: “Do not rush, look more into the issue.” Until they die as non-Muslims.

He also causes the sinner to procrastinate seeking repentance. A poet said:

“Do not rush into committing a sin,
and then procrastinate repenting.”

Iblis makes those seeking righteousness feel lazy, and he causes those who are serious to procrastinate. He convinces a jurist to rest instead of going over his lesson again. And convinces a worshipper who had woken up to pray at night that he still has a lot of time. Iblis tries to make people lazy procrastinators, and to make them have hope (of a long life). A disciplined person must take advantage of time, and never procrastinate. That which is feared can never be trusted, and that which passes can never be brought back again. The main reason for doing less good and more evil is relying on the hope of a long life, this is because a person continues to procrastinate performing good deeds and refraining from evil deeds.

He who hopes to wake up in the morning will not do much at night, and he who hopes to travel during the day will travel much at night. However, he who sees death to be near works hard during his life. Allah’s Messenger (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Perform prayer as if you were departing.” [1]

Some of the Salaf said: “Beware of procrastination, for it is one of devil’s strongest weapons.”

A disciplined person prepares for his journey, while a procrastinator doesn’t. So when it comes time to travel the disciplined person feels happy while the procrastinator feels that he is in trouble. This is how people are. Some are alert, so when the Angel of Death comes they do not feel guilty. Others are not disciplined, so they feel the agony when it comes time to travel.

If procrastination is part of your nature then repelling it becomes difficult. But when one knows that he has a persistant enemy he will always be on guard.

We ask Allah to give us safety from the enemy’s cunning, the devil’s fttnah’s and the evils of ourselves and the dunyd. Indeed He is near and responsive.

[1] Musnad Ahmad, 5/412, Bukhari in al- Tarikh al-Kabir, 3/2/21 6 and lbn Majah #41 71 .

Source : From the Excellent Book “The Devil’s Deception” – by Ibn al Jawzi, English Publication

Devil’s Deception regarding al-Tawakkul (Reliance on Allah) – Ibn al Jawzi

by AbdurRahman.orgNovember 9, 2014

Devil has deceived some who claim to have tawakkul. They left their homes without food thinking that this was tawakkul. They are severely wrong.

A man told Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal(radhi Allaahu ‘anhu) : I intend to travel to Makkah without food, relying on Allah. At this Imam Ahmad said: Then you should travel alone without company. The man responded: No, I have to travel with company, so Ahmad responded: So you are going to base your tawakkul on the food that others have brought with them!

Source : Devils Deception – Ibn al Jawzi, English Publication

One of the Salaf asked his student: ‘What do you do when the devil whispers to you?’

by AbdurRahman.orgSeptember 2, 2014October 16, 2026

One of the Salaf asked his student: ‘What do you do when the devil whispers to you?’

He replied: ‘I fight him back.’

The teacher asked: ‘What if he returns?’

He replied: ‘I fight him.’

The teacher asked again: ‘What if he returns?’

The student repeated again: ‘I fight him.’

The teacher said: ‘This will take too long. Do you see if you try to pass by some sheep and the shepherd’s dog barks at you to prevent you from passing, what would you do?’

He replied: ‘I would struggle to fight and repel him.’

The teacher replied: ‘This would take too long. Instead, seek the assistance of the sheep’s owner, he would suffice you from him . ‘

Posted from the Book – The Devil’s Deceptions (Talbis Iblis): By Imam Abu’l Faraj Ibn Al Jawzi, English Trans. Page 91

Shaytan says : “If you miss him now , you will never catch him again”

by AbdurRahman.orgAugust 28, 2014October 22, 2026

When death befalls someone, he should know that it is an hour of serious suffering because it is a moment of severe pain, when he is leaving all objects of love, his loved ones, and to all that the horror of the throes of death and fear of where his wealth go. Then Shaytan comes and attempts to have the slave [of Allah] become discontent with his Lord, he tells him ‘Look at you! What made you die? Is it painful? You are leaving your wife, your children and you will be laid under the ground? So he might cause him to become discontent with his Lord, hating Allaah’s decree, making him say things that include any kind of objection , or he might make him unjust in his will, giving some of the inheritors preference over others, to on and so forth. In this case, we need to cure the whispers of Shaytaan and cure the self .

Iblis said: “These ropes are the various lusts with which I strike on the children of Adam”

by AbdurRahman.orgAugust 27, 2014October 16, 2026

Thabit Al-Bunani said: ‘It was reported to us that once Iblis manifested himself before Prophet Yahya (‘alaihis-salaam).’ Observing that he had numerous ropes on him, Yahya inquired:

“O Iblis! What are these ropes that I see on you?”

He replied:

“These ropes are the various lusts with which I strike on the children of Adam.”

Yahya asked: ‘Does there exist a rope for me too?’

Satan said: ‘Yes.’ When you satiate yourself with food, you experience weightiness and it is for this reason you become disinclined to perform prayers, remembrance and supplications.

Hearing this, Yahya vowed: By Allah! Never shall I eat to my fill, ever again.

Iblis responded by pledging: And by Allah, never shall I give advice to a Muslim, ever again.’

[Ahmad in al-Zuhd page 96]

Posted from the excellent Book – The Devil’s Deceptions (Talbis Iblis): By Imam Abu’l Faraj Ibn Al Jawzi. Darussunnah Publishers.You are encouraged to buy this very beneficial Book – around 600 pages.

Visit: https://abdurrahman.org/jinn-shayateen-devils/

[Book Reco] The Devil’s Deceptions (Talbis Iblis): By Imam Abu’l Faraj Ibn Al Jawzi

by AbdurRahman.orgJuly 9, 2014October 22, 2026

Paperback 592 Pages
ISBN : 9780904336051
Publisher : Dar as-Sunnah

About The Book

It is from enmity and hopelessness of the devil that his endeavour to misguide mankind from the Path of Allah will persist. This misguidance takes many shades and forms; be it from planting seeds of doubt, or giving rise to deviant ideas antithetical to the sacred teachings of Islam, and essentially becoming entangled within regressive intellectual and rhetorical discourses. The Ummah has suffered varying levels of deviation, some of which remain prevalent today, while more continue to be uncovered – and such is the impact of delusive plottings of the devil and his allies.

This book is the sixth instalment from Dar as-Sunnah of the illustrious Imam, Abu’l-Faraj Ibn Jawzi. Being a complete translation of his well-known and prized work, Ibn Jawzi enumerates within it, many of the mechanisms and modus operandi used by the devil in deceiving and leading mankind away from the Straight Path. It is of particular value and importance because only by unearthing and accentuating some of the traps of the devil, can mankind avoid them as well as navigate others away from falling prey to his harm.

The price of eternal life is the hours of his life, but what is left of them for him to buy it with?! – Ibn Al-Jawzi

by AbdurRahman.orgJune 15, 2014January 19, 2016

What Can This Eternal Life be Bought With?

WHEN A PERSON THINKS about the life of this world before entering it, he considers it long. Likewise, when he thinks about it after leaving it, he sees a long period of time and knows that the stay in the grave is long. When he thinks about the Day of judgment, he knows that its fifty thousand years long, and when he thinks about Paradise and Hell, he knows that they will never end.

Now, when he goes back to look at the time spent in this world, lets say 60 years, he can see that thirty of it is spent sleeping, fifteen or so is spent in childhood and most of what’s left goes to chasing after desires, food and money. When he accounts for what is left, he finds that much of it is nothing but showing off and heedlessness. The price of eternal life is the hours of his life, but what is left of them for him to buy it with?!

Excerpts from The Book “‘Sincere Counsel to the Seekers of Sacred Knowledge’” by Ibn Al-Jawzi was published by Dar us Sunnah publishers

Fear Allah and He will Teach you! (وَاتَّقُواْ اللَّهَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ اللَّهُ) – Ibn Al-Jawzi

by AbdurRahman.orgJune 15, 2014January 19, 2016

The following are excerps from ‘Sincere Counsel to the Seekers of Sacred Knowledge’ by Imaam Ibn al-Jawzi (Rahimahullaahu Ta’aala), in which he is advising his son:

Observe, my son, the way you deal with the limits of Allaah and see how you can keep yourself within their bounds. Indeed, he who takes care of these limits is taken great care of, and he who doesn’t, is left to himself. I shall now mention some of my experience to you so that you may observe my striving and ask the Granter of success to bless me.

Truly, most of the blessings I have been given have not been earned by me but rather they are conferred as a result of the planning of The Gentle One alone.

I remember myself as a child: A highly motivated six-year old sitting in class with older boys. The intellect I had been given superseded of old men. I do not recall myself playing on the road with other kids or even laughing out loud.

When I was seven or so, I attended the gatherings in the Masjid. I would not sit in a circle of mere wordplay, but searching for a Hadeeth Scholar who would narrate about the Prophet’s (Sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) life. I would memorize everything he said, then go back home and write it down.

I was blessed for being granted my teacher Abu al-Fadl ibn Nasir (Rahimahullaah) who would take me to different Scholars and let me hear the Musnad [of Imaam Ahmad] and other major works.

All this time I had no idea of why I was made to do these things. My teacher recorded all I had heard, and when I reached puberty he handed me this record. I accompanied him till his death, and through him I learned the science of Hadeeth and transmission.

The kids used to go down to Tigris River and play on the bridge, but when I was small I used to take a book and sit far from people by the shore studying Sacred Knowledge.

Then I was inspired to abandon the vanities of this world so I began constant fasting and reduced my food intake to very little. I trained myself to be patient, embarking on a continuous pursuit in order to do so and staying up at night.

I didn’t feel satisfied with studying just one science so I read jurisprudence, sermon delivery and Hadeeth and followed those who practiced Zuhd. After that I studied linguistics. There was not a narrating Scholar or a preacher where I lived who I didn’t sit with and whenever such a person would arrive from elsewhere I would go to him.

I used to choose of virtuous deeds what suited me and if I had to choose between two things I usually chose the right of al-Haqq (Allaah). He has planned my life and cultivated me in a beautiful fashion, guiding me towards what is best for me.

He has protected me from my enemies, the jealous, and those who might plot against me. He has made everything convenient for my studies of Sacred Knowledge and sent me books from unexpected places. He gave me good understanding, the ability to memorize and write quickly and a talent for authoring books.

I lacked nothing of this world. As a matter of fact, things were quite the opposite as Allaah gave me more than enough. He put a great deal of acceptance of me into peoples’ hearts and made the impact of my words leave them not questioning the authenticity of what I had to say.

Approximately 200 thimmis [i.e. people of the book who live in Muslim lands according to a truce contract] have become Muslim at my hands and over 100 000 sinners have repented in my gatherings. More than 20 000 men have announced their repentance from foolish ways during my exhortations.

I used to go around Hadeeth gatherings of different Scholars and run till I was out of breath so no-one would precede me. I would start my day having nothing to eat and finish it having nothing to eat. Never did Allaah degrade me to take from another person, instead He provided for me in order to protect my honour.

Truth is, mentioning all my experience would take quite a while. And here I am now and you can see what I have achieved. I will tell you the whole story in one single sentence, and that is Allaah’s saying:

وَاتَّقُواْ اللَّهَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ اللَّهُ

”Fear Allaah, and Allaah will teach you.” [Surah al-Baqarah:282]

Note : The Book “‘Sincere Counsel to the Seekers of Sacred Knowledge’” was published by Dar us Sunnah publishers

The Devil’s Deception of Sufism : Imaam Ibn Al-Jawzee

by AbdurRahman.orgJanuary 15, 2014October 22, 2026

Source: Talbees Iblees: pg. 162-163
Taken from Al-Ibaanah.com

Then a group of people – i.e. from the Sufis – came and began to speak to them concerning hunger, poverty, whisperings and notions. And they authored books on these subjects, as was the case with Al-Haarith Al-Muhaasibee.

Then another group of people came (afterward) that revised the way of Sufism, characterizing it with attributes by which they distinguished it (from its original state), such as: wearing old tattered clothes, hearing (music), bursting out in passionate emotions, dancing and clapping. And they particularized themselves by exceeding in cleanliness and purification.

Then this matter (Sufism) continued to flourish, and their shaikhs began to fabricate stories for them and speak about their mystical occurrences. This affirmed their remoteness from the scholars. Rather, this even affirmed their view that what they were upon was the most complete forms of knowledge, such that they named it the hidden knowledge (al-‘ilm-ul-baatin), while making knowledge of the Religion, apparent knowledge (al-‘ilm-uhd-dhaahir).

An Amazing story from al-Hassan al-Basri (rahimahullah)

by AbdurRahman.orgAugust 29, 2011November 7, 2017

Shytan has power over the believers due to their sins

A hadith states, “Allah is with the judge as long as he does not commit any injustice. If he commits any injustice, Allah is free from him and keeps Shytan with him.” [1]

Abu al-Faraj ibn al-Jauzi [2] has related a unique story from al-Hassan al-Basri (rahimahullah). The story, depending on how authentic it is, shows the ability of a human in overpowering Shytan if he is sincere to Allah in his religion and it shows how Shytan can take advantage of the human when he strays.

Al-Hasan al-Basri narrated that there was a tree that was worshipped instead of Allah. One man decided to chop down that tree. He was going to chop down the tree out of anger for the sake of Allah. On the way to the tree he met Iblees who was in the form of a man. Iblees asked him, “What do you plan on doing?” The man answered, “I am going to chop down that tree that is worshipped instead of Allah.” Shytan said, “If you do not worship it, why should it harm you if others do so?” The man replied, “I will chop it down.” Shytan then told him, “Would you like something better than that” Do not cut it and you will get two dinars every morning under your pillow.” “From where will I get that?” the man asked. “I will give it to you,” said Iblees. The man returned and the next morning he found two dinars under his pillow. The following morning he again found two dinars under his pillow. On the following morning he did not find anything. He got upset and went to chop down the tree. Shytan again appeared to him in the shape of the same man. Shytan asked him, “What do you want to do?” The man answered, “I plan on cutting down that tree that is worshipped instead of Allah!” Iblees said, “You have lied. There is no way you will be able to do it,” The man left to chop it down. The earth swallowed him and him until it almost killed him. Iblees asked, “Do you know who I . I am Shytan. I met you for the first time when you were angry for the sake of Allah and I had no power over you. I deceived you by two dinars and you stopped what you had intended to do [for the sake of Allah]. Now you have come because you are angry about the two dinars, and I have gotten mastery over you.”

[1] This was recorded by al-Haakim and al-Baihaqi with a hasan chain. See al- Albanee Sahih al-Jaami, vol. 2, p.130

[2] Ibn al-Jawzi, Talbees Iblees, p. 43 [The author, al-Ashqar alluded to the fact that the authenticity of this story needs to be ascertained. Most likely, it is from the Israaeeliyaat or stories of the Jews and Christians.]

Source : The world of Jinn and Devils – Umar S. Ashqar

Story of Barsisa, the worshipper – Imam Ibn al-Jawzi

by AbdurRahman.orgOctober 31, 2009October 22, 2026

Shytaan appears as a sincere adviser to humans

Source : Quoted in ibn al-Jauzi, Talbees Iblees, p.39

“And he swore unto them (saying): Lo! I am a sincere adviser unto you” (al-Araaf 21).

Wahb ibn Munabbih has related the following lengthy story from the people of the book.” We present it here to show the way of Shytan in his attempt to mislead mankind. The story warns humans about Shytan”s “sincere advice”. One must oppose the thing that Shytan is calling to. Wahb said,

There was a pious worshipper of the tribe of Israel. He was the most pious person of his time. During his time, there were three brothers who had a sister. She was a virgin. And they had no sister other than her. They were all about to leave the town to go to war. They did not know with whom to leave their sister and who they could trust to look after her. They all agreed to leave her with that pious person. They all trusted him. They went to him and asked if they could leave her with him. She would be in the building next to him until they return from the fighting. He refused their request and sought refuge in Allah from them and their sister. They persisted until he finally acquiesced. He said, “Put her in the house next to my place of worship.” So they put her in that house and they left, leaving her there. She remained living next to that pious person for some time. He would put food for her in front of his building of worship. Then he would lock the door and return to his place of worship. He would then tell her to come out of her house and take the food. Then Shytan approached him softly. He encouraged him to treat her kindly. He told him that it was not good to make the woman come out of her house during the day as someone may come upon her. If he took the food directly to her door that would mean a greater reward for him.