Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (691-751 AH / 1292-1350 CE) was the most prominent student of Ibn Taymiyyah and one of the most prolific and versatile scholars of medieval Islam. Born in Damascus, he was known as Ibn al-Qayyim because his father was the superintendent (qayyim) of the Jawziyyah school in Damascus. He studied under his father, Ibn Taymiyyah (whom he accompanied for sixteen years until the latter's death in prison), al-Mizzi, adh-Dhahabi, and many other scholars.

Ibn al-Qayyim's literary output spans jurisprudence, theology, Quranic sciences, hadith, spirituality, medicine, and Arabic language. His most widely read works include Zad al-Maad fi Hady Khayr al-Ibad (a comprehensive guide to the Prophet's daily life and legal methodology), Madarij as-Salikin (a commentary on the spiritual stations outlined by al-Harawi), Ighathat al-Lahfan (on the diseases and cures of the heart), at-Tibb an-Nabawi (on prophetic medicine), Ilam al-Muwaqqiin (on the principles of issuing fatwas), and al-Jawab al-Kafi (on sins and their consequences). His ability to write on spiritual purification with the same depth as on legal theory makes him unique among Hanbali scholars.

Ibn al-Qayyim was imprisoned alongside Ibn Taymiyyah in the Citadel of Damascus and was released only after his teacher's death. He continued to advocate for the Athari creedal methodology and independent legal reasoning throughout his life. He died in Damascus in 751 AH (1350 CE). His works have enjoyed a massive resurgence in modern times and are among the most widely printed and read classical Islamic texts.