The Hikam (wisdoms) of Ibn ʿAta’illah al-Iskandari stand as one of the most profound and enduring works of spiritual wisdom in the Islamic Sufi tradition. Composed in concise yet luminous sayings, this text is not a systematic manual, nor a philosophical study in the conventional sense.Rather, it is a map of the inner journey, a guide for the sincere traveller who seeks not merely knowledge about Allah, but direct knowledge of Him.

The journey outlined in the Hikam begins with an awakening, an unsettling recognition of one’s dependence, weakness, and heedlessness. From there, it will guide the traveller through stations of repentance, trust, detachment, and sincerity.

Actions are purified of ego, intentions are refined, and the heart is gradually emptied of all that distracts from divine remembrance (dhikr-Allah).In this process, the traveller learns that spiritual progress is not measured by outward effort alone, but by the degree to which one’s reliance shifts from creation to the Creator.

Central to the Hikam is the transformation of perception. What once appears as obstacles become openings; what seems like deprivation is unveiled as generosity; and what is taken as personal effort is recognized as Divine facilitation.

The reader is continually reminded that Allah is not distant, nor reached through physical movement or intellectual striving, but is known through the unveiling of the heart.

“Arrival” is not a change in place, but a change in perception.

As the journey progresses, the traveller is introduced to subtler realities: the hidden dangers of spiritual pride, the necessity of humility, and the delicate balance between fear and hope.

The Hikam will expose even the most refined forms of ego, teaching that true sincerity lies beyond the awareness of one’s own sincerity. In this way, it safeguards the traveller from becoming veiled by their own progress.

Ultimately, the destination toward which the Hikam points is not a final station that can be claimed or possessed, but a continual witnessing of the presence of Allah in all things. It is a state of nearness characterized by surrender, contentment, and intimate knowledge, where the heart rests in the certainty that everything unfolds by Divine Wisdom and Mercy.

This edition is divided into 7 chapters, while retaining the original 'Shadhili Path’ order of 264 Wisdoms:
A commentary, including verses from the Holy Qu`ran, Prophetic traditions (hadith) and quotations from renowned Sufi gnostics. is included below each `Wisdom`in order to explain and clarify some of the hidden meanings within.