In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.

Editorial Preface
Praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all creation, and may blessings and peace be upon the leader of the God-fearing, our Prophet Muḥammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. To proceed:

This is a concise treatise—small in size yet abundant in knowledge, graceful in style, and coherent in purpose. In it Ibn al-Qayyim (ʿAlāʾ al-Dīn?) urges the teaching of goodness and the giving of sincere counsel to everyone one meets. He also sets out the consequences of neglecting daʿwah (calling others) and instruction, such as the removal of blessing, the corruption and heedlessness of the heart, and he then clarifies the results when such heedlessness is coupled with the pursuit of desires.

After that, he briefly turns to those who have been favored, having first spoken of their opposites—those whose hearts are heedless—and he shows the servant’s need for guidance from nine distinct angles. He then discusses the noblest class of those who are guided: those who ask their Lord to make them leaders who are followed, saying, “And make us an example for the righteous” (25:74). He explains the four paths by which such leadership is attained.

The author then takes you to a new topic, explaining that every person strives for whatever brings him pleasure and bliss and repels their opposites. He enumerates six matters without which true delight is incomplete and describes the condition of many people regarding them. Finally, he affirms that perfect pleasure and a wholesome life are found only in knowing Allah, affirming His oneness, finding intimacy with Him, longing to meet Him, and having the heart and concern wholly gathered upon Him,