Reminders and Exhortations

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What a book of wa'z does

A work of mawa'idh does not set out to establish a ruling or prove a thesis: it reminds the reader of what he already knows and has stopped feeling. Hence a particular tone, chapter length and use: you read two pages in the evening, not fifty at a stretch. That is why these books sell mostly as single volumes in a comfortable format.

The reference works

Sayd al-khatir by Ibn al-Jawzi: personal notes written over years, of rare frankness. Each fragment fits on a page. Probably the most read book in this section.
Al-Tabsira by the same author: sessions of exhortation set down in writing, more constructed.
Lata'if al-ma'arif by Ibn Rajab: follows the year month by month, recalling what attaches to each period.
Al-Fawa'id by Ibn al-Qayyim: short, often dense remarks, on the border of the Purification of the soul section.

Reminders or wisdom: two distinct sections

Two neighbouring genres best not confused when buying. Here they are works written by an author addressing the reader directly. In Wisdom and zuhd they are collections of reported sayings with their chains, where the compiler stands behind what he transmits. The first is read through; the second is leafed through.

What to look at before buying

The language level first: Ibn al-Jawzi writes a worked prose, Ibn Rajab is more direct. Takhrij next: this genre circulates with many reports, and serious editions state the source and grading of what is related. Finally the format: a book opened every evening deserves pleasant paper and a sewn binding. These points appear on every listing.

Related sections

For systematic work on oneself, see Purification of the soul. For conduct towards others, Character and manners. For what motivates action, Merits of good deeds and The hereafter. Overview: Spirituality.

Ordering and shipping

Real stock shown, dispatched within 24 to 48 working hours, shipped across Europe and worldwide. To find out whether a title's language is within your reach before ordering, write to us.

How does this differ from Wisdom and zuhd?

Here, works written by an author addressing the reader. There, collections of reported sayings with their chains, where the compiler stands back. The first is read through, the second leafed through.

Which book should I start with?

With Ibn al-Jawzi's Sayd al-khatir: each fragment fits on a page, the tone is direct, and you can open it anywhere. Probably the most read book in this section, and the most given as a gift.

Is the language accessible?

It depends on the title, and we state it. Ibn al-Jawzi writes a worked, fairly demanding prose; Ibn Rajab is more direct. For a first reading in Arabic, start with a plainly written collection rather than Al-Tabsira.

Do these books cite weak hadiths?

This genre carries many reports, and the early authors transmitted widely. Serious editions state the source and grading of what is related. We note on every listing whether takhrij is included.

Is Lata'if al-ma'arif read all year?

It is arranged month by month, so it is read at the pace of the calendar: a few pages as Ramadan approaches, others before the ten days of Dhul-Hijja. A book you keep and reopen each year.