Welcome to the Platform
The Shaykh, Abu Naasir starts by saying (paraphrased): AlhamduliLlaah, I welcome everyone to this platform, where we will read and study together a well-known and highly respected book among the scholars of Islam. We are about to dive into a book that Allah has used as a means of guidance for thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions of people.
What Is the Book and How It Came to Be?
Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) passed away in 751 AH, and among the works he left behind is this well-known book that has had a significant impact on on the muslim Ummah. Some refer to it as Ad-Daa’ wa ad-Dawaa’ (الداء والدوا) which translates to The Disease and the Cure. It is also popularly known as Al-Jawab al-Kafi li-Man Sa’ala `An al-Dawa’ al-Shafi’ (الجواب الكافي لمن سأل عن الدواء الشافي), which means The Ample Response for the One Who Seeks the Cure That Will Completely Remove the Disease. These are the two names by which this book is known.
The book actually came into being as a response to a question posed to Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله).
The Question That Gave Birth to the Book
A man came to Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) and asked him: What have the scholars, particularly the leading scholars of this Ummah—starting with the companions—said about someone who is afflicted by a disease, a distress, or a problem that they know will destroy both their worldly and spiritual life?
This person is fully aware that if this affliction continues, it will ruin their relationship with their wife, their parents, and children, as well as their daily affairs. Their prayer (صلاة), fasting (صيام), and even their zakah (زكاة) will be affected. Their whole life will be turned upside down.
The person has already made serious efforts to remove this affliction in every possible way, but instead of feeling relief, the stress only grows and intensifies. This person has tried everything, but nothing seems to work.
The man, in a state of deep distress, then asked: What is the way forward, O Shaykh? What have the scholars of our Ummah said about how to remove this trouble? How can I rid myself of this disease that threatens my worldly life and my hereafter?
The man continued to plead, saying: May Allah have mercy on the one who helps the afflicted. Just as Allah helps those who help others, may Allah help you, O Shaykh. The man was clearly in deep distress and sought a solution that would alleviate his troubles.
The Importance of Asking the Right Questions
In our times, many people ask scholars merely out of curiosity, not ready to act on the answers. May Allah forgive us all. However, this person’s sincerity and willingness to act on the advice of the scholars was clear. When in trouble, it’s crucial to ask knowledgeable people and act upon their guidance.
Who Was Imam Ibn al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah?
Imaam Abu AbdiLlaah Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr ibn Ayyub Az-Zurahi, known as Ibn al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah (ابن القيم الجوزية), was a renowned Islamic scholar and a student of Imaam Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله). The title Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah refers to his position as the head of a madrasah called Al-Masrasatul Jawziyya (المدرسة الجوزية). Masrasatul Jawziyya belonged to Muhyideen, Yusuf bn Al-Jawzi. You would have been hearing Ibn Jawzi. He authored many books. He had a son called Yusuf who was a very learned person, it was that his son that started Al Masrasatul Jawziyya and was now handed over to the father of Ibn Al Qayyim - Abu Bakr.
The name Qayyim means the head of a madrasah, similar to how we refer to a school principal today. After his father passed away, Ibn al-Qayyim inherited the leadership of the madrasah. You can call him Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyya or Ibn Al-Qayyim - (the son of the principal).
Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) had children who were also knowledgeable, one of whom, AbduLlaah, memorized the Quran at a very young age. He would even recite the entire Quran during his prayer by the time he was just nine years old. He also had a son Ibrahim, who was a well known scholar of Fiqh, he had a daughter who was very learned and gave birth to a scholar called Abdurahman, he also used to be referred to as Ibn Qayyim.
The Spirituality of Ibn al-Qayyim
Ibn Rajab Al Hanbali (a student of Ibn Al Qayyim) told us about Ibn Al-Qayyim, He said: he was a person full of worship, he continuosly woke up for late night prayers. He was known for always extending his Solah, he was calm in his Solah and he enngaed in a lot of Ibaadah. He was a person who was always making Adhkar, all these characters about Ibn Al-Qayyim rahimahuLlah, if you read his books you will sense them in it. He has books he wrote on Adhkar, he has books he wrote on matters of spirituality.
He was a person full of serious love for Allah, always regularly repenting to Allāh. He was always asking for forgiveness from Allah. He was always returning to Allah showing his poverty and need, he was always humble before Allah (Subhanahu wata’ala). He was always bringing himself down before Allah on the door of servitude to Allah.
Ibn Rajab said, I never met anyone who embodied the essence of worship like Ibn al-Qayyim. When reading his books, you can feel his deep spirituality in every word. He was known for his sincere devotion and his profound understanding of the Quran and Sunnah. Ibn Al Qayyim will cite a verse in the Quran and he will deduce wonderful and unmentioned points of benefit from that verse. Likewise when he bring deductions of hadith and reality of faith.
Sharing Knowledge and Applying It
As we begin this journey of reading and understanding this book, let us take notes, reflect on the lessons, and share them with our family, friends, and loved ones. The goal is not only to understand the content but also to internalize it and apply it in our lives. Scholars refer to this as being benevolent with knowledge—explaining everything fully so the person seeking knowledge gains complete understanding.
We ask Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) to make this reading beneficial for all of us, to relieve us of our worries and anxieties, and to guide us to the solutions we need in this life and the next. May ALlaah grant us ease in our worldly affairs and protect us on the Day of Judgment.
May Allah accept our efforts and make this a means of goodness for us, leading to His pleasure and ultimately, granting us entry into Jannah, without any punishment. Aameen.
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