That night, the family saw him in a dream, dressed in fine green garments, walking in a garden of Paradise. They asked, “What saved you?” He replied: “The declaration of faith, and the two dirhams. A debt blocks a good ending. Do not ever underestimate the rights of others.” This simple story encapsulates the book’s power: it makes abstract theology (the importance of clearing debts before death) into a living, unforgettable picture. In an age of digital distraction, spiritual anxiety, and shallow content, Nuzhat ul Majalis stands as a quiet, profound alternative. It invites the reader – whether in a mosque in Cairo, a home in London, or a dorm room in New York – to set aside the noise and go for a nuzhat : a delightful walk through the gardens of wise counsel, saintly tears, and prophetic mercy.
The best way to honor this work is to revive its very purpose: the majlis – the gathering. Read it aloud. Weep at its stories. Discuss its morals. And then, let its wisdom transform not just your words, but your actions. Nuzhat Ul Majalis In English
The full title is often extended: — "The Excursion of the Assemblies and the Selection of Precious Gems." This perfectly encapsulates its purpose: to provide a curated collection of spiritual gems for public recitation and private reflection. Part 2: The Author – The Mystic Scholar Abd al-Rahman al-Safuri To understand the book, one must understand its compiler: Shams al-Din Abd al-Rahman bin Abd al-Salam al-Safuri (died 1489 CE / 894 AH). That night, the family saw him in a
Al-Safuri was a distinguished Shafi'i jurist, a Hadith scholar, and a prominent Sufi of the Qadiri order. He hailed from Safur, a village near Baghdad, but his intellectual and spiritual journey took him across the Islamic world, eventually settling in Jerusalem (al-Quds), where he taught and wrote. Do not ever underestimate the rights of others
| | Author | Focus | Style | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Riyad al-Salihin | Imam al-Nawawi (d. 1277) | Hadith & Legal rulings | Concise, authoritative, minimal commentary | | Ihya Ulum al-Din | Imam al-Ghazali (d. 1111) | Comprehensive spiritual revival | Deep philosophical & psychological analysis | | Nuzhat ul Majalis | Al-Safuri (d. 1489) | Preaching & heart-softening | Anecdotal, poetic, emotionally direct |
Al-Safuri's motivation was simple: to create a manual for preachers ( wu’az ) that was authentic, engaging, and spiritually uplifting. He wanted to counter the spread of weak or fabricated stories (anecdotes that sometimes polluted popular sermons) by offering a reliable, verified collection. Nuzhat ul Majalis is not a novel to be read cover-to-cover in one sitting. It is a reference work, designed to be dipped into for specific occasions. The book is traditionally divided into chapters (abwab) , each focusing on a distinct spiritual or ethical theme.