Comfort After Calamity

"Al-Ghazali on the Condemnation of Pride and Self-Admiration" is the 29th book in Imam al-Ghazali's monumental work, Ihya’ Ulum al-Din (The Revival of the Religious Sciences). In this treatise, al-Ghazali delves into two fundamental spiritual ailments: pride (kibr) and self-admiration (ujb)

The book is divided into two parts:

1. Pride (Kibr): Al-Ghazali examines how pride is condemned in the Qur'an, its symptoms, outward manifestations, and seven causes, with self-admiration being the root cause. He emphasizes humility as the antidote and provides examples of true and false humility

2. Self-Admiration (Ujb): Al-Ghazali defines self-admiration, explores its inward manifestations, and discusses how it leads to negligence, delusion, and complacency. He offers remedies for each of these conditions

The translator, Mohammed Rustom, is an Associate Professor of Islamic Studies at Carleton University and has provided a lucid and accessible English rendition of al-Ghazali's original Arabic text. His translation is noted for its scholarly accuracy and readability, making this profound work accessible to a wider audience.

Golden Guidelines in the Path of Knowledge is a concise yet profound booklet that encapsulates the essential advice and wisdom of Shaykh Muhammad Awwamah, a renowned Syrian scholar and muhaddith. Originally delivered as a lecture, this work addresses the etiquettes, responsibilities, and spiritual dimensions of seeking Islamic knowledge. It serves as a guide for students, scholars, and anyone committed to the pursuit of sacred knowledge, emphasizing sincerity, humility, and adherence to the Sunnah.

The book is appreciated for its clarity and depth, offering guidance that is both practical and spiritually enriching. It's particularly beneficial for those embarking on the journey of Islamic studies, providing a roadmap to navigate the challenges and responsibilities that come with the pursuit of knowledge.

This comprehensive yet accessible manual guides readers through the Islamic rites and responsibilities following a person's death. Drawing from the Qur’an, Sunnah, and classical scholarship across all four Sunni schools of thought, it addresses;

• Procedures upon death

• Rites of preparing the body for burial

• Bathing and shrouding the deceased

• Funeral prayer procedures

• Etiquette for visiting graves

• Posthumous donations of reward (isal al-thawab)

• Atonements, expiations, and settling debts on behalf of the deceased

The book answers practical questions such as the permissibility of transporting a body abroad for burial and placing headstones on graves.