Living in Allah’s Presence: Aspects of Islamic Spirituality introduces the natural human characteristics (fitrah) that are universally considered to be praiseworthy. In the Qur’an, Islam is referred to as al-din al-fitrah, meaning that the human being is, by his very nature, inclined to submit to the Will of Allah, and is inclined towards goodness. These Qur’anic concepts like sincerity, truthfulness, humility, morality, modesty and steadfastness underpin the Islamic value system. The reflections on these key concepts presented in this book guide the reader towards moral excellence and self-purification, which if achieved lead to the establishment of justice, living a life in Allah’s Presence and building a true relationship with Him, striving to fulfil His Will on earth and seeking His Pleasure in the afterlife.

The Etiquette of Seeking Knowledge … to adorn oneself with beautiful etiquette, noble manners, good behaviour, and pious conduct are distinguishing characteristics of the people of Islaam, and knowledge – the most precious pearl in the crown of the purified Shareeah – cannot be attained except by those who adorn themselves with its etiquette and those who leave evil qualities associated to it. For this reason the scholars devoted their attention to this etiquette, outlined its importance and wrote books solely on this topic; either pertaining to (general conduct] with all types of knowledge or to specific types of knowledge such as the etiquette of the carriers of the Noble Quireaan, the etiquette of the muhaddith, the etiquette of the muftee, the etiquette of the qaadee (judge), the etiquette of the muhtasib (the one who enjoins good and forbids evil for the sake of Allaah) and so on. The issue of this book is the general conduct of those who take the path of seeking the knowledge of the Sharee’ah.