Dhawq al-Salat inda Ibn al-Qayyim
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- Dār al-Ḥaḍārah lil-Nashr wa-al-Tawzī‘
Dhawq al-Salat ‘inda Ibn al-Qayyim (The Taste of Prayer According to Ibn al-Qayyim) is a thematic compilation assembled by ‘Adil ‘Abd al-Shakur al-Zarqi, gathering writings of Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya that expound upon the inner spiritual experience, devotional humility (khushu‘), and mystical sweetness of ritual prayer.
Background and Purpose
In his introduction, al-Zarqi explains that Ibn al-Qayyim addressed the inner reality, core essence, and description of prayer across various passages in his works in an original manner, focusing on spiritual presence from the initial takbir to the concluding taslim. Observing that these reflections remained scattered and relatively obscure within larger treatises, al-Zarqi compiled them into an independent, accessible volume equipped with explanatory subheadings to facilitate wider reading.
To clarify the conceptual framing of the title, al-Zarqi cites Ibn Taymiyya on the theological usage of the term dhawq (experiential taste or perception), defining it as anything sensed wherein an individual experiences pain or pleasure. He references prophetic traditions concerning "tasting the flavor of faith" ( ذاق طعم الإيمان ) and finding its sweetness ( حلاوة الإيمان ) to establish the scriptural foundation of legitimate spiritual experience.
Sources and Contents
The compilation is drawn primarily from three distinct writings of Ibn al-Qayyim:
- First Source: An excerpt from Ibn al-Qayyim's treatise on listening and music (al-Kalam ‘ala Mas'alat al-Sama‘), wherein the author contrasted the spiritual taste of prayer with audition and concluded the section by noting, "This is an indication and a very brief excerpt on the taste of prayer" ( فهذه إشارة ما، ونبذة يسيرة جدًا في ذَوق الصلاة ).
- Second Source: Passages extracted from Ibn al-Qayyim's book on prayer (Kitab al-Salat wa-Hukm Tarikiha), arranged under topical subheadings.
- Third Source: An excerpt from a personal letter written by Ibn al-Qayyim to one of his brethren (Risala ila Ahad Ikhwanih).
The text elaborates on the spiritual dimensions of each movement and ritual element in prayer, describing the five daily prayers as a divine banquet and revitalizing rain for dry hearts, analyzing the inner meanings of purification (wudu'), and discussing the degrees of presence before God.
Publication
The work was published in Riyadh by Dar al-Hadara. In establishing the texts, al-Zarqi utilized verified editions, including Rashid al-Hamad's edition of Mas'alat al-Sama‘ (Dar al-‘Asima, 1409 AH) and Taysir Zu‘aytar's edition of Kitab al-Salat (Mu'assasat al-Risala, 1405 AH), collated against Muhammad Nizam al-Din's edition (Dar Ibn Kathir).
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