Antique HandwrittenGuide to Goodness (Dalail al-khayrat) (Great Books of the Islamic World).
About the Author
Imam Jazuli (d. 1464 AD) belonged to the Berber tribe of Jazula in the Sus area of Mrocco. He studied in Fez where his room is still pointed out to visitors. After settling a tribal feud, he left the area and spent the next forty yars in Makkah, Madinah and Jerusalem. After this, he returned to Fez where he completed Dalail al-khayrat or Guide to Goodness. He was initiated into the Shadhili Sufi Order and spent fourteen years in seclusion and went to the city of Asfi where he gathered around him many followers. The governor of Asfi felt obliged to expel him and, as a result, Jazuli called down God's wrath on the town. It subsequently fell into the hands of the Portuguese for forty years. According to a tradition, it was the governor of Asfi who poisoned Jazuli and caused his death while engaged in prayer. Seventy-seven years after his death the body was exhumed for removal to Marrakesh and found to be uncorrupted. It is said that the author of Guide to Goodness once went on a journey. When in great need of water for performing ablution, he came upon a well but could not reach the water without a bucket and rope which he did not have. He became very worried. A young girl saw this and came to his assistance. She spat into the well whereupon the water rose to the top of its own accord. Seeing this miracle, he asked the girl how it was possible. She said she was able to do this through her asking for blessings upon the Prophet, God's blessings and peace be upon him. Having thus seen the benefit of asking for blessings upon the Prophet, God's blessings and peace be upon him, he decided to write the Guide to Goodness.