The Key to Salvation: A Sufi Manual of Invocation (Islamic Texts Society)

About this book

This is the first English translation of Miftah al-falah a thirteenth century Sufi text written by Ibn Ata Allah one of the great masters of the Shadhili Sufi order. It is considered to be one of his most important works because it sets out the principles of actual Sufi mystical practices shedding light on the sacred invocations and associated practices such as the spiritual retreat. Written in a clear lucid style it offers a glimpse into the Sufi world of the 7th Islamic century and allows us to see almost at first hand how the novice was guided by the Sufi Shaykh and above all the purpose and preparation involved in engaging in the invocation dhikhrullah. Ibn Ata Allah sets out to define it to explain its nature and power to show its results and to prove that it is part of the Prophets Sunna or practice. The author goes to great lengths to point out many Quranic verses where dhikrullah is mentioned and cites many noted authorities.