The Key to Salvation
Ibn Ataà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ Allah Allah al-Iskandari

Translated by: MARY ANN KOURY-DANNER

This is the first English translation of Miftah al-falah, a thirteenth century Sufi text, written by Ibn Ata Allah, one of the great masters of the Shadhili Sufi order. It is considered to be one of his most important works because it sets out the principles of actual Sufi mystical practices, shedding light on the sacred invocations, and associated practices, such as the spiritual retreat. Written in a clear, lucid style, it offers a glimpse into the Sufi world of the 7th Islamic century and allows us to see almost at first hand how the novice was guided by the Sufi Shaykh and, above all, the purpose and preparation involved in engaging in the invocation, dhikhruà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢llah. Ibn Ataà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ Allah sets out to define it, to explain its nature and power, to show its results and to prove that it is part of the Prophetà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Sunna, or practice. The author goes to great lengths to point out many Qurà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢anic verses where dhikruà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢llah is mentioned and cites many noted authorities.

Mary Ann Koury-Danner, currently Area Specialist for Middle Eastern Studies at Indiana University Library, has already won two awards for this translation.