What are the books you recommend we read in the field of asceticism?
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The questioner : What are the books you recommend we read in the field of asceticism?
The Shaykh : There is nothing better than the Book of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) in the matter of asceticism, nor the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Asceticism has two concepts: a legal concept and a customary concept. The legal concept is that asceticism is leaving behind what does not benefit in the Hereafter. It does not mean that a person should abandon the entire worldly life, practice extreme austerity, and remain in his home unknown and unrecognized. Rather, it means leaving behind what does not benefit him in the Hereafter, even if he engages in worldly activities, mixes with people, and walks with them.
As for customary asceticism, it is extreme austerity and a person not enjoying what Allah has made lawful for him, even if it benefits him in the Hereafter, and him restricting himself to his own needs and secluding himself in his home. This type of asceticism is not prescribed, and a person is not rewarded for it, because he may neglect many obligatory duties and deprive himself of many permissible things without reason. A person who deprives himself of the permissible things that Allah has allowed without a legal reason is considered blameworthy, not praiseworthy.
Therefore, we should say to this questioner and others who are listening: We must first know the meaning of asceticism so that we can look for books that help with asceticism or that clarify asceticism.
So the basis of asceticism, as you pointed out, is "leaving behind what does not benefit in the Hereafter". Engaging in some worldly matters that are beneficial in the Hereafter does not take a person out of asceticism. Secluding oneself, not mixing with people, and a person practicing extreme austerity and abstaining from what Allah has made lawful is not of the praiseworthy asceticism, but rather it is of the blameworthy asceticism. Yes.
The questioner : Thank you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge and benefit through you.
The Shaykh : There is nothing better than the Book of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) in the matter of asceticism, nor the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Asceticism has two concepts: a legal concept and a customary concept. The legal concept is that asceticism is leaving behind what does not benefit in the Hereafter. It does not mean that a person should abandon the entire worldly life, practice extreme austerity, and remain in his home unknown and unrecognized. Rather, it means leaving behind what does not benefit him in the Hereafter, even if he engages in worldly activities, mixes with people, and walks with them.
As for customary asceticism, it is extreme austerity and a person not enjoying what Allah has made lawful for him, even if it benefits him in the Hereafter, and him restricting himself to his own needs and secluding himself in his home. This type of asceticism is not prescribed, and a person is not rewarded for it, because he may neglect many obligatory duties and deprive himself of many permissible things without reason. A person who deprives himself of the permissible things that Allah has allowed without a legal reason is considered blameworthy, not praiseworthy.
Therefore, we should say to this questioner and others who are listening: We must first know the meaning of asceticism so that we can look for books that help with asceticism or that clarify asceticism.
So the basis of asceticism, as you pointed out, is "leaving behind what does not benefit in the Hereafter". Engaging in some worldly matters that are beneficial in the Hereafter does not take a person out of asceticism. Secluding oneself, not mixing with people, and a person practicing extreme austerity and abstaining from what Allah has made lawful is not of the praiseworthy asceticism, but rather it is of the blameworthy asceticism. Yes.
The questioner : Thank you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge and benefit through you.