Muhammad Shahid Rahmani
Date: 27 Shawwal 1447 AH
Allama Ibn al-Jawzi's renowned work, Sayd al-Khatir (Urdu translation: Nafees Phool - Precious Flower), is a book of profound knowledge, thought, and spiritual observation, which sheds light on the reformation of the human soul, intention, and thought in a very wise manner.
This book is an advice and a mirror to the world of the heart, which reduces the outward scholarly prestige of man to ashes and bestows upon him the realization of inner knowledge.
According to Ibn al-Jawzi, true knowledge is that which is transformed into action and awakens the heart, otherwise what benefit can a store of words give to a person.
In his thoughts, sincerity, the value of time, and the monitoring of the self are of fundamental importance.
We find the same color in the writings of Allama Munazir Ahsan Gilani, where a beautiful blend of knowledge and character is seen.
According to Gilani Sahib, knowledge is a more effective means of reforming the Ummah than position and office.
Both scholars appear to agree that the real success of a person lies in his inner reformation.
Without the correctness of the inner self, outward glitter is deception.
These works invite the reader to self-accountability, simplicity, and seriousness.
While reading these pages, the reader hears the whispers of his inner self. Every line shakes him, every point calls him to his own accountability. It feels as if the author is sitting in front of him and opening the knots of his heart. These writings connect man with himself, show him his reality, and put him on the path where knowledge becomes action and adorns life.
In short, this study teaches man to travel from knowledge to action, and from thought to character.