Takhir al-Zulama ila Yawm al-Qiyama li al-Suyuti
- Author died
- 911 AH
- Editions
- Takhir al-Zulama ila Yawm al-Qiyama li al-Suyuti
Ta'khir al-Zulama ila Yawm al-Qiyama (Deferring Injustice until the Day of Resurrection) is a short Arabic treatise composed by the Egyptian scholar Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti (d. 911 AH / 1505 CE) on enduring injustice and leaving retribution against wrongdoers to the Day of Judgment .
Background and Context
The treatise was written in the latter part of al-Suyuti's life as a complaint regarding the hostility and mistreatment he faced from his adversaries . A reported catalyst for its composition occurred when the Sufis residing at the Baybarsiyya convent—where al-Suyuti held the office of overseer—revolted against him after he asserted that they failed to satisfy the stipulations of the founder's endowment . They seized him and threw him into a water basin while wearing his cloak and turban . Following this incident, al-Suyuti relocated to Rawdat al-Miqyas, where he secluded himself from public affairs to focus on writing until his death and penned this treatise .
Unlike his earlier polemical treatises directed against opponents, Ta'khir al-Zulama reflects a transition toward patience and composure; contemporaries reported that despite facing numerous trials, al-Suyuti did not invoke curses against his envious detractors, choosing instead to recite: "Sufficient for us is Allah, and He is the best Disposer of affairs" .
Content and Sources
The work consists of a compilation of prophetic traditions, early historical reports, and sayings of the Companions and Successors illustrating individuals who chose not to seek earthly retaliation or accept worldly compensation for wrongs committed against them, preferring instead to defer their grievances to God's divine court .
Al-Suyuti draws upon classical compilations of hadith, history, and exegesis, citing authors such as Abd al-Razzaq al-San'ani, Ibn Sa'd, Ibn Abi Shaybah, Ibn Asakir, Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, and Ibn al-Mundhir . The text includes:
- The narrative of Tha'laba ibn Hatib and his request for wealth .
- Reports of early figures declining to retaliate in this world, including al-Hasan ibn Ali when insulted by Marwan, and Ammar ibn Yasir declining indemnity or physical retribution after an altercation with Uthman ibn Affan in order to bring his case before God and His Messenger .
- Traditions from early jurists, such as Shurayh and Said ibn Jubayr, regarding hunting infractions in the state of ritual consecration (ihram) and consigning intentional repeat offenders to divine retribution .
Attribution and Manuscripts
The attribution of the treatise to al-Suyuti is attested on surviving manuscripts and registered by classical bibliographers, including Haji Khalifa in Kashf al-Zunun and Isma'il Pasha al-Baghdadi in Hadiyyat al-Arifin . Manuscript copies are preserved in the Egyptian National Library (Dar al-Kutub al-Misriyya, MS 22729 B) and the Qawala collection (MS 25) . It has been edited by Mahmud ibn Muhammad al-Minyawi .
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