AuthorsBookshop.com: Treatise For The Seekers Of Guidance

Dr. Kenneth Honerkamp, Associate Professor of Islamic Studies The University of Georgia in Athens :

�Treatise for The Seekers of Guidance is a classic of early Islamic literature. It provides us with a document that testifies to the fundamental principles, attitudes, and incumbent conduct of Islamic moral psychology from the formative period. This work, from the pen of Imam Harith al-Muhasibi (d. 243/857), the mentor of Junayd, is one of earliest examples we have of the role these principles played in constituting the moral thought and action that constitutes the fabric of Muslim society. This translation in Imam Zaid�s own words is, �a layman�s guide to Islamic spirituality� and as such is a key text to our understanding today of the multiple faceted framework behind the principle themes of the teacher/disciple relationship and testifies to the manner in which these principles have became integrated within the process of Islamic spiritual orientation. Among the salient characteristics of Treatise for The Seekers of Guidance is the care Imam al-Muhasibi has taken to structure the discourse of the treatise on the foundations of the Qur�an and the Sunnah of the Prophet, peace be upon him, in such a manner that he provides us with a clear and coherent criteria for both the theoretical and practical aspects that comprise the Islamic view of human development in general and salvation in particular.

Imam Zaid Shakir has accompanied this text with an in-depth commentary based upon the Qur�an and Hadith that enriches and contextualizes the concise prose of Imam al-Muhasibi within the social milieu of our times. His employs language that is accessible and free of technical terminology. His translation thus provides sound guidance to anyone who is seeking in the midst of the uncertainties of social turmoil and personal struggle, a whole and integral path, a unity of form and substance, self-effacing comportment, and intimate knowledge of God. In short this is a work that no ones library should be without.�

Aftab Ahmad Malik, Visiting Fellow - DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE & ETHNICITY, UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM.:

�Powerful and magnetic ... it is difficult to put this book down. An essential primer for self-rectification and drawing closer to the divine, this is a highly accessible translation of a classical Islamic text that provides ample guidance and advice for souls longing for spiritual nourishment and refinement amid the prevailing state of social and moral disintegration. This book not only offers definitive counsels on rectifying the self and becoming responsible and dignified human beings, but it also showcases the moral and ethical standards which Islam calls to. Imam Zaid Shakir has done a tremendous service in rendering this crucial text into the English language.�

Dr. Noreen Kassem, Vancouver, Canada:

�There is no way to know how much of traditional Islamic scholarship has been lost forever in libraries that have been burned, looted or destroyed. Other manuscripts lay forgotten in dusty archives, unread and untranslated. New literary works such as �A Treatise for the Seekers of Guidance� seek to preserve a part of Islamic heritage and are astoundingly relevant to our homes and society today.�

-- Kirkus Discoveries, Nielsen Business Media:

Translation and exegesis of a classic treatise of Islamic mysticism. Baghdad wasn't always a bombed-out, bullet-scarred city. In the ninth century, it was the center of the Islamic world and an academic mecca, embracing scholars translating classic Greek, Roman, Syrian Christian and Indian texts into Arabic. In this milieu, Imam al-Muhasibi wrote Treatise for the Seekers of Guidance, which, in a nutshell, is a explanation of Islamic spiritual development that emphasizes the importance of Muslims cleansing their hearts from worldly attractions and maintaining Taqwa, or a Godconsciousness that manifests itself in purposeful action. Shakir, translator and tour guide, walks the reader through the document, sometimes line by line, providing context and clarification through constant references to the Qur'an and Hadith (or prophetic tradition). Occasional illuminating tangents on Islam in the contemporary world, especially post-9/11, break up some of the monotony and redundancy of the treatise, making the translation more readable and relevant to non-Muslims. Through it, the reader can see Islam as a double-edge scimitar. Slicing through the garish material excess and social and moral decay that characterizes a lot of the modern capitalist world, the treatise explains that Muslims were created to worship God and serve others. It's a simple, beautiful message that makes it easy to understand why Islam is the world's most popular religion. However, the flip side of the proverbial sword reflects a conundrum. To be saved and make it to paradise in the afterworld, one must maintain a real and present fear of God and endure trials and tribulations while on earth. Shakir is to be lauded for his commentary, bold at times. He criticizes some contemporary Muslims for hypocrisy, as well as slandering, vilifying and despising their brethren, and cites an inability of Muslims to give sincere advice to other Muslims as a cause of ongoing troubles. But he also casts judgment on Western society's tendency to commoditize everything, making it difficult for Muslims to recast their gaze from earthly delights upward to more divine endeavors. A simple, easy-to-read guide to Islamic spirituality that helps to explain Islam's ongoing conflict with the Western world.

Islamic Writers Alliance.:

This book review was originally published in Islamic Ink, February 2009 issue. http:/htm

"What are the signs of this in a truthful servant? When he studies he contemplates; when he falls silent he reflects; when he speaks he mentions [God]; when something is denied him he is patient; when he is given something he is thankful; when he is tested [with a death] he says, We belong to God and unto Him we are all returning (2:156); if someone behaves ignorantly with him he bears their abuse; when he learns something he humbles himself; when he teaches something he does so with gentleness; and when questioned he responds to the full extent of his knowledge." (pp. 117-18)

Imam Zaid Shakir's translation, commentary and notes on Imam al-Harith al-Muhasibi's Risala al-Mustarshidin (Treatise for The Seekers of Guidance) is a page-turner, offering great wisdom, practical advice, and much-needed encouragement. So much wisdom, in fact, that I've made checkmarks - sometimes multiple checkmarks - on most pages, indicating passages that I want to revisit. The blank page and inside back cover are likewise full of page numbers I've noted to indicate pages which contain especially poignant passages.

I literally had to slow myself down when reading. Treatise for the Guidance of the Seekers is one of those books that when I finished, I was sad it was over.

Imam Abu `Abdullah al-Harith bin Asad al-Muhasibi was born in Basra between 165/781 and 170/786 and died in Baghdad in 243/857. He was a scholar and narrator of hadith and considered by many to be among the great intellectuals in Islamic history. According to Imam Zaid Shakir, "Imam al-Muhasibi's major intellectual contribution was in the development of what was to become the science of Sufism, or Islamic spirituality and moral psychology." (p. viii) In Risala, Imam al-Muhasibi bases his arguments on the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet, may Allaah bless him and grant him abundant peace, which, according to Imam Zaid, gives the book "a wide reception among common Muslims, even those who do not readily identify with Sufism." (p.x)

Imam Zaid Shakir is a respected and influential Islamic scholar in his own right. He spent many years studying Arabic, Islamic law, Qur'anic studies, and spirituality in Cairo, Syria, and Morocco and graduated from Syria's prestigious Abu Noor University. He currently is a scholar-in-residence at Zaytuna Institute and founder of the website New Islamic Directions.

Treatise for The Seekers of Guidance is an easy visual read. The translated text of Imam al-Muhasibi is in black boldface, followed by Imam Zaid's commentary in normal type. Translated Qur'anic verses are italicized and ahadith are identified as such with sources cited in endnotes.

The book is a surprisingly easy intellectual read as well, considering the potential complexities of the content. Imam Zaid also tries to root his commentary in the Qur'an and Hadith, and he expounds upon Imam al-Muhasibi's text in an eloquent, insightful, and clear fashion.

A good example of the format is as follows:

Never consider any sin to be insignificant, never divulge a secret, never reveal what God has concealed, never contemplate committing a sin, and never persistently commit a minor transgression. (p. 163)

Imam Zaid begins his commentary on this text as follows:

This advice is extremely relevant as many times we place ourselves in spiritual danger by having our hearts stained by numerous sins that we never bother to repent from because we deemed them insignificant. Another dangerous habit that afflicts many people is making it easy for themselves to fall into minor sins. One of the sages mentioned, "There are no minor sins if they are persistently engaged in and there are no major sins if they are eradicated by repentance." (p. 163)

Iman Zaid then continues to explain the two ways in which minor sins become major sins.

Treatise for The Seekers of Guidance helped me to understand verses of the Qur'an in new ways, clarified for me some important aspects of the deen, and provided the sources of statements that I had read before but were never properly cited. Overall, I finished the book feeling intellectually satisfied and spiritually nurtured. I end with a bit of practical advice from the commentary:
"It is said whenever you feel arrogant, go and stand next to a mountain."

http://www.islamicwritersalliance.net/islamicink/february2009.htm

Billy Carl:

This is an absolutely amazing book that has much wisdom and guidance. What I liked most is

that Imam Shakir always bases his arguments on the Qur'an and the Hadith; which is important i think to have credibility.

This book honestly, shows the very spirit of Islamic character and how all Muslims should be in the daily lives whether in private or public.

This shows how the heart is a very important spiritual organ that should be purified and protected from sin that could come from all the other organs (i.e. eyes, ears, tongue...etc). That is the only way to spritual maturity and ihsan (worshiping GOD as if we see him, and we dont then know that he sees us all the time).

Without a sound heart all we do to attain spiritual elevation is a waste of time.

May Allah reward Imam al-Muhasibi and Imam Zaid Shakir for these words of wisdom that are based on the Qur'an and the Prophetic tradition of our beloved Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him.

Peace.

James E. White:

A must for any traveler along the path.

This english presentation of Imam Muhasabi's work is very clear and penetrates the heart and mind. If you are looking for methods to internally cleanse yourself, build your character and improve your relationships with GOD, yourself and your fellow man then this book is for you. If one earnestly follows the methods and technigues in this book, GOD willing, you will reach the goal.