The counsel of imam nawawi by Hamza Yusuf

Last Updated on Friday, 06 March 2009 00:26

Translator’s note] In addition to the above work, there is a large portion about the path to Allah that appears in the great Imam Nawawi’s al-Maqaasid, which Sidi Ahmad Zarruq did not mention in his work; it is a wonderfully succinct summation of the path to Allah. Imam Nawawi, may Allah sanctify his secret, says,

One reaches Allah Most High by repenting from all things, unlawful or offensive;
seeking sacred knowledge in accordance with one’s needs;
maintaining ritual purity;
performing the obligatory prayers in the first of their time and in congregation, including the Sunna prayers that correspond to each of the obligatory prayers;
adhering to the eight raka’ats of the midmorning prayer (Duha) and the six raka’ats after the sunset prayer an before the night prayer;

Performing the night prayers (tahajjud) after awaking from one’s sleep; fulfilling the witr prayer;

fasting on Mondays and Thursdays and on the three days of the full moon – i.e. the 13th,14th, and 15th of the lunar month – and also the days of the year in which fasting is recommended;

reciting the Quran with the heart’s presence coupled with reflection upon its meanings;

frequently asking forgiveness of Allah (istighfar);

maintaining prayers and blessings upon the Prophet, peace be upon him; and, finally, adhering to the meritorious invocations of the morning and the evening that have come tous from the Sunna (adhkaar as-sabaah wa al-masa’).