The Book of Illumination Including The Sign of Success on the Spiritual Path Kitab al-Tanwir fi Isqat al-Tadbir

Presenting a mystical and theological analysis of our human urge to create idols for ourselves and out of ourselves, this medieval author carefully recounts the enlightening counsels of his own masters. He is most attentive to the subtle psychological working of our human ego, marshaling resources for his Islamic tradition that can confront and overcome it. The result of desisting from claiming as our right and ability what is clearly beyond our control is illumination of the heart, clarity of the mind, and tranquility of the soul. This new translation masterfully illustrates the goal of Ibn Ata' Allah's discussion of achieving inner illumination of the heart, which is close to the sense of "enlightenment" that has become common in English language discussions of spirituality and gnosis.

One of the greatest spiritual Masters of the thirteenth century (d. 1309), this Sufi shaykh was both a Muhaddith and a Maliki jurist whose works became basic training manuals for aspirants across North Africa. He was a student of al-Mursi and was the second to succeed Imam Abul-Hasan, the founder of teh Shadhili Order which continues to this day.