Aidh al-Qarni
- Died
- -
- Born in
- -
Aidh al-Qarni (b. 1379 AH / 1959 CE) is a Saudi Islamic preacher, author, and poet, known widely for his popular instructional and motivational writings, including La Tahzan (Don't Be Sad).
Early Life and Education
Abu Abd Allah Aidh ibn Abd Allah al-Qarni was born in 1379 AH in the village of Al Sulayman in the Balqarn region of southern Saudi Arabia, near the heights of Tihama, where he spent his childhood and herded sheep. He received his primary schooling in his home village, followed by intermediate studies at the Scientific Institute in Riyadh and secondary education at the Scientific Institute in Abha.
Al-Qarni subsequently enrolled at the College of Sharia and Usul al-Din at the Abha branch of Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University. After completing his undergraduate degree, he was appointed as a lecturer at the college. He went on to earn a master's degree in Hadith studies with a thesis titled Riwayat al-Mubtadi' fi Ilm al-Hadith (The Narration of the Innovator in Hadith Methodology).
Preaching and Scholarly Activity
From his youth, al-Qarni devoted himself to public Islamic preaching (da'wah), delivery of sermons, and literary composition, becoming an active figure in guiding the contemporary Islamic Sahwa (Awakening). In his intellectual development, he drew heavily upon the writings of Ibn Taymiyya and his student Ibn al-Qayyim.
Al-Qarni produced an extensive catalog of recorded lectures, public sermons, and published volumes. His widely read works include the spiritual self-help book La Tahzan and As'ad Imra'ah fi al-Alam (The Happiest Woman in the World).
Standing and Reception
Al-Qarni received commendations from senior religious scholars for his educational efforts and public discourse. While some contemporary figures issued critical warnings against listening to him, scholars such as Salih al-Maghamsi defended him as a recognized Suni figure of virtue whose religious commitments and creed were sound, noting that fallibility is natural to human effort and that listeners should benefit from what is correct.
Answer updated
List of Works
Durus al-Shaykh Aidh al-Qarni (Lessons of Sheikh Aidh al-Qarni) is a multi-part collection that transcribes public lectures, sermons, academic discourses, literary presentations, and recorded interviews. The transcribed materials are compiled into text arranged into several hundred numbered lessons and lecture sessions covering religious, social, and literary subjects.
al-Khilaf: Asbabuhu wa Adabuhu (Disagreement: Its Causes and Etiquettes) is a treatise addressing the nature of conflict and error, the underlying causes of disagreement, and the Islamic etiquettes required when managing disputes. It analyzes psychological, intellectual, and methodological roots of discord while presenting guidelines for constructive dialogue.
La Tahzan (Don't Be Sad) is an Islamic spiritual and psychological self-help book dedicated to addressing distress, sorrow, anxiety, and pessimism. It combines traditional Islamic teachings with broader human wisdom, literature, and practical psychology to provide guidance on emotional resilience and navigating painful life experiences.
Silsilat al-Qimam li Ahl al-Himam (The Summits for People of Aspiration) is a motivational and biographical work available as written text and recorded discourses. It focuses on cultivating high spiritual resolve, self-discipline, moral virtue, and excellence by examining Islamic principles and the lives of historical role models.