The Counsel of the Noble Scholar Muwaffaq ad-Din Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi
In the midst of life’s distractions, challenges, and heavy responsibilities, our souls occasionally need exhortations that reinforce our hearts, boost our resolve, and ignite our ambitions. May the counsel of the venerable scholar Ibn Qudamah al‑Maqdisi serve as an educational, spiritual message touching our hearts, urging us to monitor our actions, evaluate ourselves, and ponder over the consequences of our shortcomings. Let us always remember that our true purpose is love and pleasure of Allah, with our foremost priority being engagement in righteous deeds that draw us closer to Him. We all depart from this world one day—may we be among the victors in the hereafter, enjoying gardens of bliss.
Initiative and Work
The world is a fleeting opportunity—seize it. Know that this abode is the wish of those in graves. Some of them wish to offer a single tasbih for more good deeds, to repent, or to perform a single rak’ah to be elevated in rank. Know that your life and breaths are limited and age is short: do not waste them without action or obedience that draws you near to Allah.
Types of People in this World
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The diligent and resolute: They realize they will leave this world, reject comfort and sleep, and devote themselves to work and worship.
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Those whose effort is intermittent: They strive sometimes and rest other times.
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The negligent: They never turn to worship, staying immersed in distractions and preferring comfort and sleep at all times.
The diligent rejoice at tremendous success. The negligent regret and weep over wasted time, lamenting their scant provisions. The bankrupt are certain of dwelling in punishment. Let us strive to be among the first group—those who value their time and fill it with acts of obedience. Commit your heart to gratitude, your tongue to remembrance, supplication, seeking forgiveness, and Qur’an recitation; occupy your limbs with righteous deeds and benefit creation by sharing your knowledge.
Corrupting Factors of Deeds
Beware of the following nullifiers of righteous deeds:
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Riyaʾ (showing off): Performing for other than Allah—either to be praised by people or initial sincerity but later tainted by riyaʾ. This is minor polytheism that obliterates deeds. May Allah protect us.
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ʿIjb (vanity): Being proud of one’s actions and attributing them to oneself rather than Allah’s grace, leading to arrogance. May Allah save us from it.
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Belittling a Muslim: Looking down on a fellow believer—whether their character, clothes, words, or background. This invalidates deeds. Do not despise anyone.
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Contradicting the sunnah: Any deed in speech, action, or belief that contradicts the Prophet Muhammad’s tradition nullifies good.
Awareness and Fear of Accountability
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Reflect on Allah’s favors, and beware of using those blessings to commit sins; remember that Allah is ever-watching.
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Remember our trustworthiness: We carry an amanah heavier than the heavens and earth—may Allah help us honor it and protect us from negligence.
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Virtues of deeds: Good character, patience, timely prayer, dutifulness to parents, maintaining family ties, and striving in Allah’s cause.
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Supplicate with humility, distraction, and tears.
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Confess shortcomings to Allah, seeking His forgiveness, veiling, and mercy.
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Prayer for needs: Make ablution, pray two rakʿahs, then praise Allah, send blessings on the Prophet, recite the duʿāʾ of need, and mention your need.
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Istikhārah (guidance prayer): Pray two rakʿahs, ask Allah to choose good for you, relying on His wisdom.
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Friends of Allah: Those whose hearts are tied to His love, tongues busy with His remembrance, and limbs occupied with obedience—not attached to worldly things.
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Late-night worship: Wake during the pre-dawn (sahūr) hours, when the Almighty descends—bring your heart; cry out: “Is there one who asks, so I may give? Who calls, so I may answer? Who seeks forgiveness, so I may forgive?”
🕊️ Glimpse of the Author
Muwaffaq ad-Din Abū Muḥammad ʿAbdullah ibn Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad ibn Qudāmah al‑Maḳdisī al‑Jamāʿīlī then al‑Dimashqī (541 AH/1146 CE – 620 AH/1223 CE) was a leading Ḥanbalī jurist and theologian. Born in Palestine and raised in Damascus from age ten, he memorized the Qur’an and began his study of fiqh before traveling to Baghdad. He achieved high rank in Damascus, recognized as an imam in jurisprudence, hadith, and theology. Al‑Zahabī described him as “a sea of knowledge and one of the most intelligent scholars,” bestowing upon him the title Shaykh al‑Islām. He authored around fifty works across Qur’anic sciences, hadith, fiqh, creed, and history. Renowned for his piety, gentleness, generosity, humility, and radiant meekness, he passed away on ʿĪd al‑Fiṭr 620 AH and was buried on the slopes of Mount Qāsyūn in Damascus; his funeral was grand. May Allah have mercy on him and grant us benefit from his legacy, guiding us to what He loves and is pleased with, endowing us with sincere intentions and lofty resolve.
With the grace of Allah, this text has shed light on one of the most precious pieces of advice found in the remarkable book:
“The Testament of the Noble Scholar Muwaffaq ad-Dīn Ibn Qudāmah al-Maqdisī (author of al-Mughnī)”
— Verified and edited by Muḥammad Ramaḍān Khayr Yūsuf, First Edition, 1997.
✍️ Written by: Eng. Imān ʿĪsā
