The Path to Guidance

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah | Translation and Notes by Abu Iyaad Amjad Rafiq

Ibn al-Qayyim said: “Get up (and hurry) in servitude to Allāh and being with Him in the Home of Peace, without any tiredness, hardship or fatigue, but by the nearest and easiest of paths. And this is (by realising) that you are in a time between two times, which (constitutes) your life, and this is the present time, which is between what has passed and what is yet to come. Then that which has passed, you can correct it by repentance, remorse and seeking forgiveness. This is something in which there will be no tiredness, fatigue, or any straining efforts (required on your behalf). It is (nothing but) the action of the heart…So, whatever has passed you by, you amend by repentance, and you correct what has yet to come with restraint and (firm) resolution and intention… There is due from the servant, in every moment of his time, servitude to (Allāh) which will advance him or bring him nearer to Allāh. So if he spends his time in servitude to Allāh, he will advance to his Lord, and if he busies himself with desires, relaxation or inactivity, he will lag behind. And the servant never ceases to be either moving forward or falling behind, and there is no stopping whilst on the path, ever.”