The Wisdom of the Hikam: Propositions from the Hikam of Ibn Ata’illah amplified by Ibn ’​Ajiba’s commentary on them in his Iqadh al-Himam

The Wisdom of the Hikam

Propositions from the Hikam of Ibn Ata’illah al-Iskanderi amplified by Ibn ’Ajiba’s commentary on them in Iqadh al-Himam

The Hikam of Shaykh Ahmad Ibn Ata’illah al-Iskanderi is rightly celebrated as one of the foundational texts of Islamic spirituality. Throughout the centuries since it was written, it has been a continual source of inspiration,​ spiritual nourishment and teaching to countless travellers on the path of inner knowledge. Indeed many of its maxims are still quoted on a daily basis throughout the world.

It has given rise to many commentaries but certainly one of the most outstanding of them is Iqadh al-Himam by Shaykh Ahmad ibn ’Ajiba. In it he plumbs the depths of the wisdom inherent in the original propositions, uncovering the layers of meaning each contains and its profoundest and subtlest implications for those seeking knowledge of themselves and their Lord.

The result is a complete Instruction Manual for the spiritual path and, while this present volume is not a complete translation of either the Hikam or Iqadh al-Himam, it is certainly sufficient to give the reader genuine access to a great part of the knowledge and wisdom contained in both works.