Books published by Zahra Publications

"Imam `Ali was the first person to accept Islam while was still a young boy, and for the next twenty-three years he was one of the Prophet Muhammad's closest companions. A first cousin of the Muhammad (pbuh), Imam `Ali was constantly at the side of the Prophet, learnt from him, and also married his daughter Fatima. The Prophet famously declared of Imam `Ali: 'I am the city of knowledge, and `Ali is its gate'.Many of Imam 'Ali's sayings and letters were accurately remembered and recorded during his lifetime. The Sayings & Wisdom of Imam `Ali is a selection of this great man's sayings gathered together from authentic and reliable sources and arranged into easily accessible sections by Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri. The material was collated by him in the original Arabic and has been carefully translated into modern English so as to remain true to the intended meaning of the original Arabic text.""Offering us penetrating insight into the human condition and the way of noble conduct, Imam Ali's wisdom nourishes and guides us to follow our higher, divinely inspired nature, ensuring our salvation in this life and the next.""Imam `Ali was the first person to accept Islam while was still a young boy, and for the next twenty-three years he was one of the Prophet Muhammad's closest companions. A first cousin of the Muhammad (pbuh), Imam `Ali was constantly at the side of the Prophet, learnt from him, and also married his daughter Fatima. The Prophet famously declared of Imam `Ali: 'I am the city of knowledge, and `Ali is its gate'.Many of Imam 'Ali's sayings and letters were accurately remembered and recorded during his lifetime. The Sayings & Wisdom of Imam `Ali is a selection of this great man's sayings gathered together from authentic and reliable sources and arranged into easily accessible sections by Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri. The material was collated by him in the original Arabic and has been carefully translated into modern English so as to remain true to the intended meaning of the original Arabic text.""Offering us penetrating insight into the human condition and the way of noble conduct, Imam Ali's wisdom nourishes and guides us to follow our higher, divinely inspired nature, ensuring our salvation in this life and the next."

IMAM JA`FAR AL-SADIQThe sixth Imam in the line of the Twelve Imams descended from the Prophet Muhammad, Imam Ja`far ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq (702-765 C.E. or 17th Rabi` al-Awwal 83 AH - 15th Shawwal 148 AH) was the founder of the Ja`fari School of Islamic Law and a renowned scholar of his age. His father was the Imam Muhammad al-Baqir and his mother, Farwa, was a great-granddaughter of Abu Bakr. He lived in Arabia in the eighth century. He devoted his attention to interpreting divine utterances and applied himself to such controversial subjects as iraadah (free will) and qadr (the power to direct one's own actions). He is regarded as one of the greatest of the imams and is also revered by the Naqshbandi Sunni Sufi chain.THE LANTERN OF THE PATHThe Lantern of The Path comprises ninety-nine chapters. Each one is a threshold to the next, guiding the reader through the broad spectrum of ageless wisdom, like a lantern along the path of reality. The author illuminates the inner meanings of outer practices which range from practical everyday acts of behavior, to the practices of worship, morals and ethics, and the pillars of religion.Practical and profound, this concise volume is a useful guide for those who wish to cultivate their inner being. accompanying commentary, students and adepts alike can now gain a profounder understanding of these timeless teachings from the wellspring of the heart of Islam.

“The Qur’an itself is the great ocean of truth that lies undiscovered before us. In “Journey of the Universe” the Shaykh has built an island in this vast Qur’anic see of knowledge so that we on the shore can build a bridge to it from religion, or from science or from wherever we may stand. Then, when we have bridged this gap between our intellectual knowledge and what is already written in our hearts we see, on looking back to the shore we left, the whole landscape of our existence from an entirely new perspective. The creation of the Universe is the eternal instant unfolding in time. There was the “nothingness” and with the fiat of creation, “kun fa-yakun”, the nothingness” was split into the duality of existence, symbolized in the first Arabic letter “alif”, the primary mark of creation that descends from God. Viewed from the other side of time, from where we stand, there was this  last creation of immense energy that flung everything into separation, which we can liken to an explosion, or theorize as the “Big Bang”. But everything is from its Creator and must return to its Lord.”From the Foreword by Ibrahim StokesThe Qur’an traces the journey of all creation explicitly and implicitly, seeing the physical, biological and geological voyage of life as paralleled by the inner spiritual evolution of man. Bringing together the meanings and derivations of individual words, the Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri reveals vibrant images which the language of the Qur’an so subtly projects.

" Islam is not a historical phenomenon that began 1,400 years ago. It is the timeless art of awakening by means of submission. "Anything that slows down the approaching confrontation between Muslims and the rest of the world has to be well worth…(it). This concise explanation of Islam is about as timely as any book can be. I would suggest that this book ought to be read, and re-read, not only by so-called Christians, but by many Muslims, too." The Guardian U.K. At a time when communities increasingly tend to view each other with suspicion, The Elements of Islam cuts through the morass of misunderstanding and misinformation to give a true and timely overview of the universality and light of the prophetic message of Islam. The Elements of Islam explains the unifying path of Islam; the history and development of Islam as a religion; the distinction between original Islam and the traditions of Muslims; the life that Muslims lead today; the future of Islam.

The human journey on earth is fr om low, basic sentiency towards the highest level of consciousness. From childhood on we are challenged to witness, experience, and choose what is better for our happiness. With awakening you discover that, in truth, there is no diff erentiation or separation as everything is still contained within absolute, unitive reality.Oneness is the only truth and the process of differentiating between what is good and what is not is like coming across milestones along that path. We differentiate in order to be content with the connectedness that leads to essential original Oneness.Human consciousness links the infinite unseen with finite sensory experiences. These poems are like flags. The material is a language or brush strokes indicating transitions between the boundless and the limited, within and beyond time and space, like flags on a temple reminding us of our transitory earthly journey and how magnificient it is if we are aware of its timeless grace.

The Story of Creation in the Qur'an is an exposition of the Qur'anic verses relating to the nature of physical phenomena, including the origins of the universe, the nature of light, matter, space and time, and the evolution of biological and sentient beings.In this book Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri demonstrates that the verses in the Qur'an relating to the outer physical phenomena are not separate from inner phenomena and states, but in fact reflect them.The Qur'an gives us a unified view of existence drawing us from multiplicity to unity, in order to live appropriately from a unified foundation in a world of multiplicity. This is missing from other books, which only focus on matching outer phenomena to scientific discovery without inner reflection.The Story of Creation in the Qur'an relates outer patterns and symbols to inner experiences and metaphors bringing out the gnostic elements not just the prescriptive and phenomenal descriptions.

"Consciousness is the cosmic mystery that provides all the ingredients to the majesty and beauty of Life and existence on earth. We take the simple day-to-day awareness of this Life for granted, without the respect that it deserves. Every life moves towards higher and higher levels of consciousness, often a great source of delight for us, when we witness the distinctions of growth in awareness of this beauty. Pointers to Reality provides some helpful reminders to us that our direction is always towards full awakening, whether it occurs in this life, or in the next. I hope that these aphorisms will give you the sparks of delight of our purpose of life. "From the Introduction by Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri

Free will or determinism has been the frequent topic of philosophical debate from the early civilizations right through to the present day. Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri shows how according to Islamic thought the answers to this important question lie in understanding two inseparable spheres of consciousness: the earthly causal and the realm of the Absolute.'Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri's book has the great advantage that it presents to the Western reader the deepest aspects of the problems of decree and destiny through the actual words of the Qur'an, the Prophet Muhammad and the Imams of his Household. Many of the Sayings translated in this work, especially those of the Imams, have not been available in such a manner before'. -- From the Foreword by Seyyed Hossein Nasr

The Qur'an is a treasure trove providing guidance and help at all times and for all people when approached the right courtesy and trust. The selected verses in this booklet are exceptionally potent when reflected upon. They lift human consciousness towards its cosmic origin and therefore complete the story and meaning of human life. Their impact becomes greater when memorised and repeated giving the genuine uplift which is the gift of true worship.

Human love for beauty, harmony and gardens simply reflects our desire to connect forms, emotions and meanings. Energy and matter are inseparable, so are all beginnings and end. ¿The Garden of Meaning¿ expresses the truth of the ever present Origin of all dualities, pluralities and diversities. Any reflection that elevates the human mind towards higher consciousness is a spiritual exercise. The pointers in this book are like ladders to help the serious reader transcend the limitations of the natural trap of space and time.

"Sufism and Islam cannot be separated, in the same way that higher consciousness or awakening cannot be separated from Islam. Islam is not a historical phenomenon that began 1,400 years ago. It is the timeless artof awakening by means of submission. Sufism is the heart of Islam. It is as ancient as the rise of human consciousness."~ From the Introduction by Shaykh Fadhlalla HaeriMany have heard about Sufism, but beyond the current popularity of Rumi's poetry, few really know what Sufism stands for. This useful and easy to read introduction to Sufism describes its historical origins, essential concepts, principles and practices, and how it grew to spread throughout the world in the form of different orders or tariqahs. Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri adeptly explains this development, showing the relationship between Islam and Sufism, what it means to be a Sufi, and the relevance of Sufism in modern life. The reader also benefits from brief biographies of the most famous Sufi figures.

The author emphasizes inner transformation and the refinement of conduct, as preludes to the realization of the prevalence of Divine Grace. He considers that the purpose of life is to know and resonate with the eternal essence of the one and only Life giver--Allah.llah.

Spectrum of Reality synthesizes a comprehensive analysis of the human condition and the way we perceive reality. Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri makes difficult concepts accessible, especially through the use of metaphors, allegories, and insights from modern science. His thesis is that human consciousness manifests in several waysacross a spectrum that ranges from universal supreme consciousness to personal conditioned consciousness. It is the nature of human culture, thought and personal consciousness to continually operate in a dualistic way, so that Reality is obscured by several layers of fragmentation.The ultimate harmony of human consciousness with universal reality is the challenge of existence. Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri illustrates that we can heal the split between individual and the universal by recognising that each is essential to its different territory, and believes that 'spirit' is the causal factor from which all states arise.Adnan al Adnani, author of Lights of Consciousness: A Sufi view of Science and Spirituality"The aphorisms, precepts and commentaries presented by Shaykh Fadhlallah Haeri in his new work, Spectrum of Reality, are immensely rewarding. They provide the reader an extraordinarly insightful access into the realm of subtle meanings that underpin the outer realities; and provide not only spiritual nourishment but also an understanding of the vaster, hidden, worlds which enfold the human condition."Dr. Ali Allawi, visiting professor at the National University of Singapore and Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Professor, Oxford University and former Minister of Finance, Iraq, Author of 'The Crisis of Islamic Civilzation', & 'The Occupation of Iraq: Winning the War, Losing the Peace' "Spectrum of Reality is a true masterpiece, a life long work, and a very well written book, which is sure to satisfy all those who earnestly yearn to know and understand the actual Meaning of Life, What is the Nature of Reality? and How to Awaken to the Divine Self, that is lying latent in each human being, and waiting to be Realised. I highly recommend this significant and priceless publication for all earnest seekers who wish to understand the Real Truth of the World in which we live."Alan Jacobs, President Ramana Maharshi Foundation UK, Poet, Author of 'Poetry for the Spirit', 'The Wisdom The Native American Indians', 'When Jesus Lived in India

The primal design of human beings is based on an intrinsic knowledge of perfection and its yearning and journeying towards it. Life's experience is based on polarities and opposites, all of which is founded on a zone of constancy that does not change. All needs and desires are drives toward the perfection of the highest. The intelligent human being has no choice other than calling on Allah, whose Most Beautiful Names and Attributes are perfect at all times. It is by that calling and worship that we achieve the fruits of existence."In this book, we have presented a brief discourse on the doors of entry into the vast, boundless divine light created through supplication and calling upon Allah. Our hope is to facilitate its use, benefit and transformation for the traveller along the path. Thus, the repeated reading and use of this book by the seeker is recommended to open up the numerous horizons and subtleties of Allah's ways of grace."-- from the Introduction by Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri

The Hikam, or Wisdom, of the great Sufi Master Ibn `Ata 'Allah al-Iskandari has long been acknowledged as an essential and classic masterwork of the Islamic science of enlightenment. Ibn `Ata 'Allah exemplified the ultimate model of a Sufi master possessed of a deep foundation in the sciences of the Qur'an, the way of the Prophet and the Universal Laws of the Islamic way of life, both outer and inner.Short but immensely thought provoking, dense in their significance and insightfulness, crisp and sharp in their elucidation, the aphoristic Hikam are a true manifesto for those who are sincerely on the path of knowledge and awareness. This wisdom strips away our conventional responses to events, actions and phenomena, and encourage us to concentrate on the only true Reality.With the publication of Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri's new translation and with the aid of his accompanying commentary, students and adepts alike can now gain a profounder understanding of these timeless teachings from the wellspring of the heart of Islam.

Shaykh Sa'd ud-D¿n Mahm¿d Shabist¿r¿ was born around 1250 CE in Shabist¿r, near Tabr¿z, in Iran. 'The Secret Garden' (Gulshan-e R¿z), one of two works of mystical poetry he produced, was composed in 1317 CE in response to questions on profound Sufi metaphysics sent to him by a contemporary Sufi Master, Shaykh Rukn ad-D¿n Husayn¿ Haraw¿, himself a renowned Sufi master from Azerbayjan. In this short, didactical poem of one thousand rhyming lines, Shabistari skillfully references the body of poetic imagery used by previous Sufi masters in their works and contributes significantly to the codification of the terms used by Sufis to signify the facets and realities of the journey to awakening to Reality. Shabist¿r¿'s penetrating answers cover a variety of themes on the Sufi path and the progress of the human soul and reflect the influence of the doctrine of the Unity of Being represented in the work of Ibn 'Arabi, among others. His exposition elucidates the interconnectedness of reason, revelation and unveiling in the symbolic garden that offers both the thorns as well as the heady perfume of spiritual awakening. Recognized as a classic of medieval philosophy and theosophy, 'The Secret Garden' was first brought to western attention in Europe in the 17th century, and continues to be appreciated as a masterpiece in the canon of Sufi literature.You ask me to explain to you what thinking is, as you arestill confused as to its meaning.Thinking is travelling inwardly from illusory nonexistenceto the Real - that is leaving the separation ofmultiplicity for the gathered whole. Go and sweep out the house of your heart - prepare aplace for the Beloved.When you leave, He comes in and shows His majesty toyour 'you', purified of yourself. Like the growth of the seed into the form of the tree,a line of movement develops from the inner point of truthinto the outward form.When the traveller on the path has completed thecircuit of return to separation, then his last point as man isjoined to the first of the Real.

The 'Refinement of Character' discourses offered by Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri in South Africa present a comprehensive and complete package of essentials regarding the self and its emergence, of the interplay between the ego and the soul (behaviour and personality dynamics).

This is a commentary on the last section of the Qur'an.The original edition of this commentary (tafsir) was published some twenty years ago. It was a result of teachings and talks with the objective of exploring the deeper meanings of the Divine revelations. The emphasis had been on the key Qur`anic terms and the subtle facets and connotations of Arabic words. The response by the readers was most encouraging.The new millennium opens in an age of great complexities, chaos and constant change in values and the way of life. Therefore, what is needed nowadays is the re-discovery of Allah's patterns as revealed in the Qur'anic message so that we can act appropriately in this world.The message of the Qur'an emanates from the original Divine blueprint which also lies latent in the human heart. All of us seek the path of ease, knowledge, security, love and contentment. No happiness lasts unless it is based on the knowledge of Allah and submission to His intended purpose and ways. The Qur`an is the key to this awakening.

Commentaries on four chapters of the Qur'an:This is Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri's commentary on 4 chapters of the Qur'an. Chapter 29: The Spider (Surat Al-'Ankabut), Chapter 55: The Beneficent (Surat Al-Rahman), Chapter 56: The Great Event (Surat Al-Waqi'ah) and Chapter 67: The Kingdom (Surat Al-Mulk)

Surat Ya Sin is the heart of the Qur'an (qalb al-Qur'an). It is the chapter (surah) of the Qur'an which is read over the dead; therefore it is a chapter of great importance to the living. Should one seek to know the meaning of life, one must experience death, for man has come from the non-physical realm and he is swiftly proceeding towards it again. Knowledge is based on opposites. Man's apprehension of knowledge depends upon the condition of his heart. If the condition of his heart is pure and receptive, he sees perfection in every aspect of every situation he finds himself in. The Qur'an allows one to fathom the unfathomable.

Surat Ale-`Imran is one of the most comprehensive and detailed chapters of the Qur'an. It demonstrates the meaning of hypocrisy, courage and belief, using the historical setting of the Battle of Uhud, one of the early Muslim campaigns, to show how people behave in different circumstances and justify their behavior.This chapter unveils truth and insight regarding the human self, society, this world and the Next Life.

Surat al-Fatiha is placed at the beginning of the Qur'an because it signifies the opening of knowledge and so the victory over ignorance. If, in the direction we are taking, there is no door, then we have reached our target - we have won. Fatiha means to open, reveal, imbue, and conquer. This surah is so named because if you follow it in your heart, you will be victorious. You will conquer and an opening will come to you.Surat al-Baqarah scans the history of humankind from Adam to the time of the Prophet Muhammad. It contains a blueprint of how a community can live, how its members should behave as individuals, within their families, and in economic and social terms. It also gives guidance and prescriptions regarding inner and outer struggle and development.

These commentaries on several essential chapters of the Qur'an are based on Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri's teachings in the West. The chapters include Surahs Fatiha, Baqarah, Al Imran, Yaseen, Al Ankabut, Al Rahman,Al Waqiah, Al Mulk and the entire Juz Amma (last section of the Qur'an). These explorations of selected chapters of the Qur'an are aimed at those seeking guidance and transformation in the modern world. Emphasising the timeless wisdom of the Qur'an, Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri uses the linguistic roots of the key terms to offer illuminating insights into its deep inner meanings, and shows its relevance to our present day lives. As a source of understanding for both Muslims and non-Muslims, this volume of 5 parts will be greatly valued.The Qur'an reflects the absolute truth in all respects. It guides towards knowledge of numerous realities. In it one hears the eternal song of mercy, love and the oneness of creational reality. In the Qur'an we see the laws which govern the experiential, physical word as well as the subtle hidden worlds above and below.The Qur'an tells the story of creation from before creation to beyond the end of creation. It takes one to its source-the timeless, boundless, All-Encompassing Absolute Creator.Keys to the Qur'an is based on discourses given by Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri in America and Europe. This volume looks to the Qur'an for existential guidance and direction in this life. It does not resemble other traditional commentaries. It seeks from the Qur'an a way of living that will enable humankind, here and now, to travel courageously, purposefully and humbly toward enlightenment and awakening.

Transformative Worship in Islam - Experiencing Perfection uniquely bridges the traditional practices and beliefs, culture and language of Islam with the transformative spiritual states described by the Sufis and Gnostics. In this collection of teachings on how the worship of Islam can transform insight and perception of Reality, Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri presents profound guidance for those who journey through the path of Islamic belief and practice. He draws from the Noble Qur'an, the Prophet's traditions, narrations from the Ahl al-Bayt and seminal works from Sufi masters and scholars.Transformative Worship in Islam - Experiencing Perfection will inspire the serious seeker of spiritual knowledge to make the connections between intention, attention and direction. Describing in detail the stages of spiritual evolvement, the author highlights the need for grooming the self, refining its lower tendencies, practicing self-accountability, and guiding it towards the higher virtues of the soul, through the regular discipline of a worship which brings one into Divine Presence.The seeker will be taken to the stages of self-realization where all dualities meet and unify within the human soul. The purified heart is a precondition for this awakening, while enlightenment is the natural outcome after dispelling all causes of egotistic confusion and concern for personal survival. This book reveals how the soul is forever embedded in sustainable joy and contentment and awakening to this condition is not only our birth-right but the very purpose of our existence.

This collection of verses from the Qur'an and traditions from the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) and the Imams is unique for it makes available for the first time in English a comprehensive selection of Islamic teachings arranged according to topics that deal with belief and worship as well as the social and spiritual values which Islam upholds. "Prophetic Traditions in Islam - On the Authority of the Family of the Prophet" contains a wealth of wisdom, knowledge and inspiration for all who seek to know more about Islam and the process of refining one's character and conduct. Taking as its source the gnosis and science transmitted by Allah on the tongue of the Prophet Muhammad, it presents fundamentals of the legal parameters and spiritual truths of Islam. From [this book] one can learn a great deal about the Islamic conception of God and prophecy, of worship and virtue, of the character of the Shi`ah Imams and even of early Islamic history. Furthermore, one can also learn much about the human state, its origin and end, and the meaning of terrestrial existence and our role here on earth. The book therefore addresses itself not only to the lovers of the Ahl al-Bayt and all Muslims, but in fact to all human beings, whatever their background may be, as long as they are attracted to the world of the Spirit and are in quest of meaning in their transient lives here on earth. - from the foreword by Seyyed Hossein Nasr