Mawarid al-Zaman li Durus al-Zaman
- Author died
- 1422 AH
- Editions
- Mawarid al-Zaman li Durus al-Zaman
Mawarid al-Zaman li Durus al-Zaman (Resources for the Thirsty Concerning the Lessons of Time) is an expansive multi-volume Islamic homiletic, legal, and ethical compendium by the Saudi scholar Abd al-Aziz al-Salman (d. 1422 AH / 2001 CE), former instructor at Ma'had Imam al-Da'wah in Riyadh .
Background and Purpose
Al-Salman authored the book as a major expansion of his earlier work, al-Manahil al-Hisan . Observing widespread interest and demand for the earlier text, he resolved to broaden its scope by incorporating extensive additional material—including sermons, legal rulings (ahkam), aphorisms (hikam), general maxims (qawa'id), spiritual exhortations (mawa'iz), etiquette (adab), and ascetic poems (qasa'id zuhdiyyat) . His stated aim was to produce a comprehensive, accessible reference suitable for study and delivery during Ramadan as well as other times of the year, designed to benefit scholars, students of knowledge, imams of mosques, and general audiences alike .
Content and Method
The work carries the descriptive subtitle Khutab wa Hikam wa Ahkam wa Qawa'id wa Mawa'iz wa Adab wa Akhlaq Hisan ("Sermons, Aphorisms, Legal Rulings, Principles, Exhortations, Manners, and Virtuous Morals") . Al-Salman devoted significant effort to editing, organizing, and vocalizing (tashkil) the entire text in full to facilitate correct reading and listening in public gatherings and lessons .
Thematically, the book integrates Quranic verses, prophetic traditions, scholarly sayings, and extensive selections of poetry focused on renunciation of worldly distractions (zuhd), vigilance over time, combating the ploys of Satan, preparation for the afterlife, and adherence to the creed of the early righteous predecessors (al-salaf al-salih) while warning against deviant groups .
Author's Stipulations and Printing
In his preface, al-Salman explicitly forbade anyone from abridging the book or subjecting it to modern critical edition (tahqiq), arguing that abridgment disables the original text and that contemporary verification implies an undue questioning of the author . He also stipulated that the work must only be published as a religious endowment (waqf) for the sake of God, permitting anyone to print and distribute it free of charge without seeking worldly profit .
In accordance with these wishes, the book was reprinted as a charitable endowment numerous times during and after the author's life, reaching its thirteenth edition in 1403 AH, its twentieth edition in 1413 AH, and its thirtieth edition in 1424 AH .
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