Translated by Tarek Elgawhary
£12.99
Life can feel like a constant rush, leaving your heart feeling tired and disconnected. This beautiful edition of the Hikam offers short, profound reminders to help you reconnect with Allah. Translated for the 21st century, it turns ancient wisdom into a daily companion for a calmer, more focused soul.
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Do you ever feel like your heart is searching for a sense of peace that the modern world just can’t provide? We often look for big, complex answers to our problems, yet our souls crave simple wisdoms that bring us back to our Creator.
The Aphorisms of Ibn ‘Ata’ Allah has been a spiritual classic for seven centuries. It is not just a collection of quotes, but a series of reflections that have guided and grounded people through all these years. The goal isn’t just to read the words, but to let them sit with you, unfolding new meanings as you go about your day.
This Arabic-English edition features the masterful translation of Dr Tarek Elgawhary, an Azhari-trained scholar, who has translated this thirteenth century classic for the twenty-first century reader. His contemporary translation captures the rhythmic power of the original Arabic without sacrificing depth of meaning.
Each aphorism is given its own page to allow for slow, reflective reading in a luxury hardback, jacketed edition that is a pleasure to own or gift to a loved one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s an Aphorism?
An aphorism is a concise, memorable statement that captures a profound truth. In Arabic, these are called Hikam (the plural of Hikmah). They are designed to be short, punchy and transformative in few words.
Does this translation use archaic English?
No. Dr Tarek Elgawhary has specifically translated this for the everyday reader in clear language that does not sacrifice the depth of meaning of the original.
What is the purpose of the Hikam?
The Hikam was written to highlight the ways in which we rely on our own actions, planning, intelligence and so on, rather than on Allah. It is meant to increase us in our tawakkul (reliance on Allah) throughout the storms of life.
What is the best way to read this book?
This is not a book you read from cover to cover in one sitting. It is best to read one aphorism every few days and allow the words to penetrate your soul. You can then reflect on which character trait this highlights in you and how to shift towards one that is wholly reliant on Allah. You can then move onto the next aphorism. Over time you will be amazed at how your mindset has recalibrated.
Why doesn’t this edition have commentary?
Some editions have light commentary and some have many pages to accompany each aphorism. Dr Tarek Elgawhary has purposefully omitted any commentary stating that it is the reader’s heart that, upon reflection, provides the commentary most needed. This allows the words of the Hikam to be understood by you as you need them, rather than reading them through the filter of someone else’s soul. In an age of information overload and dependence, we think the best way to internalise these wisdoms is to rely on your own inner compass and gain the satisfaction of having done your own inner work.
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