Admonition for The Neglectful

Basic Information

Full Title: Admonition for the Neglectful
Original Arabic Title: Tanbīh al-Ghāfilīn (also transliterated Tanbihul Ghafileen)
Author: Imam Abū al-Layth as-Samarqandī (d. circa 373 AH / 983 CE)
Language: Originally Arabic; translated into English 
Genre: Islamic spirituality (tazkiyah), ethics (akhlaq), and moral admonition (nasihah)
Length: Varies by edition — typically between 250 and 400 pages

About the Author

Imam Abū al-Layth as-Samarqandī was a renowned Hanafi scholar, jurist, preacher, and moral reformer from Samarqand (modern-day Uzbekistan). He was known as Imam al-Huda (“The Imam of Guidance”) because of his deep piety, wisdom, and dedication to teaching the inner and outer dimensions of Islam.

His works focus on spiritual awakening, ethical reform, and the purification of the heart. Admonition for the Neglectful is his most famous and widely read book, often considered a classic of Islamic spiritual literature.

Purpose of the Book

The book is intended to awaken the hearts of Muslims who have become heedless (ghāfilīn) of their duties toward Allah, the Hereafter, and moral living.

It seeks to:

• Remind believers of death, accountability, and the transience of worldly life.

• Encourage repentance and self-purification.

• Reconnect the reader with Allah through fear, hope, and remembrance.

• Inspire good character, compassion, and consistent worship.

In essence, it is a manual for spiritual awakening, urging readers to reflect before it is too late.

Structure and Contents

The book is divided into short chapters, each addressing a moral or spiritual theme. Every chapter includes Qur’anic verses, hadiths, sayings of the Companions, and anecdotes of righteous predecessors, all woven into practical moral lessons.

Common chapter topics include:

1. Remembrance of Death

   • The certainty of death and the temporary nature of this world.

   • How the remembrance of death softens the heart and inspires righteous deeds.

2. Accountability in the Grave and the Hereafter

   • The questioning by the angels, the punishment of the grave, and the Day of Judgment.

   • Encouragement to prepare by sincere repentance and charity.

3. Repentance (Tawbah)

   • Conditions of sincere repentance.

   • Stories of those who turned back to Allah after a life of sin.

4. The Rights of Others

   • How oppression, deceit, and injustice will be repaid on the Day of Judgment.

   • The importance of returning rights before death.

5. The Dangers of Sin and Negligence

   • How sins darken the heart and lead to heedlessness.

   • The gradual hardening of the soul when one delays repentance.

6. Virtues of Sincerity and Humility

   • Avoiding pride, hypocrisy, and ostentation.

   • The meaning of pure intention in worship and good deeds.

7. Importance of Knowledge and Reflection

   • Learning about one’s faith as a duty.

   • How knowledge leads to reverence and action.

8. The Value of Charity and Good Deeds

   • How small acts of goodness can weigh heavily in one’s favor.

   • Stories of generosity and compassion among the pious.

9. The Example of the Pious Predecessors (Salaf)

   • Anecdotes illustrating their piety, simplicity, and love for Allah.

   • Lessons from their humility and devotion.

10. Final Admonitions

    • The fleeting nature of worldly pleasures.

    • A call to prepare for the meeting with Allah before regret sets in.

Style and Approach

• Emotionally powerful: The author writes in a heartfelt, persuasive tone meant to stir the conscience.

• Qur’an- and Sunnah-based: Every moral point is backed by verses or authentic traditions.

• Storytelling: Includes parables, historical examples, and vivid imagery that make moral lessons memorable.

• Universal: Though written centuries ago, its message remains timeless — appealing to anyone seeking spiritual renewal.

• Practical: Encourages specific actions — repentance, remembrance, service to others, charity, and humility.

Central Message

The book teaches that heedlessness (ghaflah) — forgetting Allah and the Hereafter — is the greatest danger to a believer’s soul.
True success lies in constant awareness (taqwa), remembrance, repentance, and good deeds done sincerely for Allah’s sake.

It reminds that the grave and the afterlife are near realities, and that each person must awaken before time runs out.

Significance and Influence

• Considered one of the most accessible and inspiring classical works on Islamic spirituality.

• Used for centuries in study circles, sermons, and personal reflection.

• Often read in Ramadan or during times of self-reform.

• Translated into multiple languages, including English, Urdu, Persian, and Turkish.

• Cited by later scholars for its combination of authentic sources and moving moral appeal.

Strengths

• Deeply spiritual yet easy to understand.

• Combines sound Islamic teachings with emotional and moral appeal.

• Practical guidance for everyday believers, not just scholars.

• Highly effective for those seeking to rekindle their relationship with Allah.

Limitations

• Written in a classical style; some translations may feel old-fashioned or repetitive.

• It relies on traditional narrations — readers may need scholarly guidance to differentiate between authentic and weak reports.

• It assumes some familiarity with basic Islamic beliefs and the Arabic moral vocabulary (such as ghaflah, taqwa, tawbah).

Summary

Admonition for the Neglectful (Tanbih al-Ghafileen) by Imam Abul Layth as-Samarqandi is a timeless call to spiritual awakening. It reminds Muslims of the fleeting nature of life, the certainty of death, and the need to live in constant remembrance of Allah.

Through Qur’anic verses, hadith, and moral stories, the book gently but firmly urges believers to repent, act righteously, and purify their hearts. It remains one of the most moving guides for anyone who wishes to turn back to Allah and live with purpose, humility, and awareness.