Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya facts for kids

Ibn al-Qayyim (born January 29, 1292 CE – died September 15, 1350 CE) was a very important Islamic scholar. He lived during the Mamluk period. People often called him Imam Ibn al-Qayyim.

He was a legal expert, a religious thinker, and a spiritual writer. He followed the Hanbali school of Islamic law. Ibn al-Qayyim was also the main student of another famous scholar, Ibn Taymiyyah. They were even put in prison together in 1326 because they disagreed with some common ideas.

Ibn al-Qayyim came from a simple background. His father was the principal (qayyim) of the Jawziyya School. This school was also a court for the Hanbali judge in Damascus. Ibn al-Qayyim became a very productive scholar. He wrote many books on religious and literary topics. Many important Muslim scholars of his time were his students or were influenced by him. These included the historian Ibn Kathir and the hadith scholar Ibn Rajab.

Today, Ibn al-Qayyim's ideas are popular among some Sunni Muslim groups. These groups, like Salafism, see his criticisms of certain practices as similar to their own views. For example, he questioned the worship of saints and their graves.

Who Was Ibn al-Qayyim?

His full name was Muhammad Ibn Abī Bakr Ibn Ayyub Ibn Sa'd. His nickname, or kunya, was Abu Abdullah. He was also called Shams al-Dīn, which means "Sun of the Religion."

He is best known as Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah. This name comes from his father, Abu Bakr Ibn Sa'd. His father was the superintendent (qayyim) of the Jawziyyah Madrasah. This was a Hanbali law college in Damascus.

His Life Story

His Teachers

Ibn al-Qayyim's main teacher was the famous scholar Ibn Taymiyyah. But he also learned from many other teachers. These included his own father, Abu Bakr ibn Ayoub, and Shams ad-Dīn adh-Dhahabī.

Ibn al-Qayyim started studying with Ibn Taymiyyah when he was 21 years old. He stayed with him as a close friend and student until Ibn Taymiyyah died in 1328 CE. Because they spent 16 years together, Ibn al-Qayyim shared many of his teacher's ideas. However, he was often less harsh when discussing other scholars' views.

Time in Prison

Ibn al-Qayyim was put in prison with his teacher, Ibn Taymiyyah. This happened from 1326 until 1328. He was released when Ibn Taymiyyah passed away.

According to the historian al-Maqrizi, there were two main reasons for his arrest. First, Ibn al-Qayyim gave a speech in Jerusalem. In it, he spoke against visiting holy graves, including the Prophet Muhammad's grave. Second, he agreed with Ibn Taymiyyah's ideas about divorce. This view was different from what most other scholars in Damascus believed.

Scholars from different Islamic law schools worked together to have him imprisoned. While in prison, Ibn al-Qayyim spent his time studying the Qur'an. He used this time to deepen his understanding of the holy book.

His Spiritual Path

Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya wrote a long spiritual book called Madarij al-Salikin. This book was a detailed explanation of an earlier work by the Sufi scholar Khwaja Abdullah Ansari.

In his writings, Ibn Qayyim showed great respect for Ansari. He even called him "Sheikh al-Islam." Ibn Qayyim often wrote about spiritual topics. He wanted to help people understand "matters of the heart."

His Passing

Ibn al-Qayyim died when he was 60 years old. He passed away on September 15, 1350 CE. He was buried next to his father in the Bab al-Saghīr Cemetery.

His Ideas and Beliefs

Legal Views

Like his teacher Ibn Taymiyya, Ibn Qayyim believed the state should have strong powers. He thought judges should rely less on just spoken witness accounts. He developed ideas about evidence that were more detailed.

Astrology and Alchemy

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah did not believe in alchemy (trying to turn metals into gold). He also strongly opposed astrology. He thought that people who practiced astrology were trying to know God's secrets. He believed they were "the most ignorant of people" for thinking they could predict events based on stars.

Mystical Beliefs

Ibn al-Qayyim had a strong interest in Sufism, which is a spiritual part of Islam. Many of his important books, like Madārij and Miftāḥ dār al-saʿāda, focus on Sufi ideas. He wrote to help people interested in Sufism and "matters of the heart." Some scholars compare his role to that of Al-Ghazali, who also tried to connect the spiritual side of Islam with its main teachings.

However, Ibn al-Qayyim also shared some of his teacher Ibn Taymiyyah's concerns. He worried about certain extreme forms of Sufism that were becoming popular. For example, he disagreed with Ibn Arabi's idea of "oneness of being." But he never completely rejected Sufism. He respected many early Sufi masters, like al-Junayd. He even defended some Sufis who had intense spiritual experiences.

Views on Christianity

Ibn Qayyim had specific views on how Muslims should interact with other religions. He believed it was not appropriate to congratulate Christians on their religious celebrations. He saw this as agreeing with their religious beliefs.

His Lasting Impact

His Books

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah wrote many books. He wrote about a hundred books in total. His writings mostly focused on explaining the Qur'an and understanding the traditions of the Prophet (Fiqh-us Sunnah).

Some of his well-known works include:

• Zad al-Ma'ad (Provision for the Hereafter)
• Al-Waabil Sayyib minal kalim tayyib – a book about Prophet Yahya.
• Madaarij Saalikeen – a long explanation of another Sufi book.
• Tafsir Mu'awwadhatain (Explanation of Surah Falaq and Nas)
• Badāʾiʿ al-Fawāʾid (Amazing Points of Benefit)
• Ad-Dā'i wa Dawā (The Disease and the Cure)
• Uddat as-Sabirin wa Dhakhiratu ash-Shakirin (The Equipment of the Patient and the Treasure of the Grateful)
• Ighathatu lahfaan min masaa'id ash-shaytan (Aid for the Yearning One in Resisting the Shayṭān)
• Al-Tibb al-Nabawi – a book about Prophetic medicine.
• Al-Furusiyya – about horsemanship and archery.

16th century manuscript of Al-Tibb al-Nabawi, a book on prophetic medicine

See also

In Spanish: Ibn al-Qayyim al-Ŷawziyyah para niños