Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyah, Shams al-Din Abu Bakr

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyah, Shams al-Din Abu Bakr

Introduction

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyah, Shams al-Din Abu Bakr (d. 1350) was a renowned Hanbali jurist from Baghdad, notable for his roles as a student of the influential scholar Ibn Taymiyyah and as an ardent critic of certain popular religious practices and the perceived excesses of Sufism.

Etymology and Translations

• Arabic: ابن قيم الجوزية، شمس الدين أبو بكر
• Turkish: İbn Kayyim el-Cevziyye, Şemseddin Ebu Bekir

The name “Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyah” indicates his father’s occupation as the custodian of the Jawziyyah School in Damascus.

Scholarly Contributions

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyah made numerous contributions to Islamic jurisprudence, hadith compilation, and theological critique:

1. Disciple of Ibn Taymiyyah:

   • Ibn Qayyim diligently collected and compiled the works of his teacher, Ibn Taymiyyah, ensuring their preservation for future generations.

2. Critique of Sufism:

   • While Ibn Qayyim himself was a member of the Qadiri Sufi order, he rigorously critiqued what he viewed as deviations and excesses within Sufi practices.

3. Hadith Collection:

   • He notably compiled a collection of prophetic traditions (hadith) concerning medical practices attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, demonstrating his commitment to integrating religious guidance with daily life.

Sources of Law According to Hanbalis

Ibn Qayyim laid out the five sources of law for Hanbali jurisprudence:

1. Texts of the Quran and Sunnah.
2. Fatwas of Muhammad’s Companions:
   • Prioritized when not contradicted by the Quran or Sunnah.
3. Sayings of Individual Companions:
   • Considered valid when conforming to the Quran and Sunnah.
4. Traditions with Weak Chains of Transmission:
   • Accepted under certain circumstances, even if the chain of narrators is weak or partially unknown.
5. Reasoning by Analogy (Qiyas):
   • Employed when absolutely necessary.

Key Works

• “Zad al-Ma’ad”: A comprehensive text on Islamic guidance for daily life.
• “Madarij al-Salikin”: Commentary on the spiritual journey of the believer.
• “Shifa’ al-Alil”: Discussion on predestination and divine decree.

Books for Further Study

• “Medicine of the Prophet” by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyah (available in English Translation)
• “The Spirited Reasoning: Ibn Taymiyyah and his Influence” by Carl Sharif El-Tobgui

Takeaways

• Ibn Qayyim was a profound jurist who contributed significantly to Islamic thought.
• His critiques were aimed at reforming religious practices to align closely with original Islamic teachings.
• His methodology has influenced Hanbali jurisprudence and broader Islamic law.

Conclusion

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyah’s legacy endures through his prolific writings and his passionate defense of Hanbali jurisprudence. His balanced approach to religious tradition and reform makes him a pivotal figure in Islamic intellectual history.