Manazil al-Hur al-Ayn fi Qulub al-Arifin bi Rabb al-Alamin
- Author died
- 1445 AH
- Editions
- Manazil al-Hur al-Ayn fi Qulub al-Arifin bi Rabb al-Alamin
Manazil al-Hur al-Ayn fi Qulub al-Arifin bi Rabb al-Alamin (The Stations of the Houris in the Hearts of Those Possessing Knowledge of the Lord of the Worlds) is a theological and spiritual treatise written by the Saudi scholar Abd al-Karim ibn Salih al-Humayd (d. 1445 AH / 2023–2024 CE) on purifying worship and love for God above created rewards.
Background and Purpose
Al-Humayd completed the treatise in Buraydah between Rabi' al-Awwal and Ramadan 1426 AH (2005 CE). In his introduction, the author observes that many contemporaries overemphasized hope (raja') over fear (khawf), resulting in presumption and bold familiarity (idlal wa-inbisat) reflected in an excessive, singular focus on the created pleasures of Paradise—particularly the hur al-ayn (heavenly maidens)—at the expense of focusing on God Himself.
Al-Humayd clarifies that the book’s intent is not to discourage seeking Paradise (al-tazhid fi al-jannah), forbid asking God for it, or belittle the physical pleasures that God Himself has extolled. Instead, its primary aim is to distinguish between the Worshipped Creator (al-Ma'bud) and created things (al-makhluq), elucidate the reality of servanthood (haqiqat al-ubudiyyah), and emphasize that the servant's ultimate devotion, yearning, and love must be directed toward God for His own essence rather than using God merely as a means to attain created recompense.
Structure and Themes
The treatise is organized around key spiritual principles, particularly drawing upon the six spiritual "witnesses" (shawahid) experienced by the wayfarer toward God as articulated by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah:
- The Witness of the World (al-Dunya): Recognizing the fleetingness, deficiency, and treachery of worldly pursuits.
- The Witness of the Hereafter (al-Dar al-Akhirah): Realizing the eternal nature and reality of the afterlife compared to the insignificance of worldly life.
- The Witness of the Fire (al-Nar): Contemplating the severe punishments, blazing flames, and terrifying reality of Hellfire to induce fear and repentance.
- The Witness of Paradise (al-Jannah): Visualizing the vast blessings God has prepared for the righteous, including palaces, rivers, fine garments, and the hur al-ayn.
- The Witness of the Day of Increase (Yawm al-Mazid): Anticipating the vision of God's Face and hearing His direct speech, which causes all other pleasures of Paradise to pale in comparison.
- The Witness of Divine Majesty and Beauty (Jalal al-Rabb wa-Jamaluh): The highest station, in which the servant's heart is entirely immersed in God's perfection, sovereignty, and transcendence above the Throne, subordinating all other witnesses to pure love and reverence for Him.
Throughout the text, al-Humayd discusses the dangers of passionate human attachment (ishq), describing it as an affliction that diverts the heart from its primordial purpose of loving God alone. He contrasts commercial worship—serving God merely for wage or material reward—with sincere devotion rooted in loving God for His inherent worthiness of worship.
Sources and Method
The work relies on the Quran, canonical prophetic traditions, and classical Sunni theological and ascetic literature. Al-Humayd quotes extensively from Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (especially from Madarij al-Salikin, Rawdat al-Muhibbin, and Tariq al-Hijratayn), as well as early ascetics and scholars such as Uthman ibn Sa'id al-Darimi, Abu Sulayman al-Darani, Dhu al-Nun al-Misri, al-Junayd, Sari al-Saqati, and Malik ibn Dinar.
In an appended cautionary notice (tanbih) near the end, al-Humayd denounces the contemporary trivialization and mocking of the hur al-ayn in modern television dramas, arguing that while believers must not make created beings their highest aspiration over God, they must revere what God has sacredly honored.
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