The Invocation of God

Basic Information

• Title (Arabic): Al-Wābil al-Ṣayyib min al-Kalīm al-Ṭayyib (“The Heavy Rain of Good Words” / “The Showering of Pure Speech”)

• English Title: The Invocation of God or Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya on the Invocation of God

• Author: Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya (d. 1350 CE)

• Translation: There is a well-known English translation by Michael Abdurrahman Fitzgerald & Moulay Youssef Slitine.

• Format: Around 180-200 pages in the English edition.

• Published by: Islamic Texts Society (among others) in English.

Purpose and Theme

The main aim of the book is to explore the importance of dhikr (remembrance of God) and the inward-spiritual dimensions of worship in Islam. It focuses on how true invocation and remembrance purifies the heart, raises the soul, and brings the believer closer to Allah.
Ibn Qayyim treats not just the mechanical act of saying phrases, but dives into the secrets, benefits and inner states associated with remembrance. He argues that the words of remembrance—when uttered with correct understanding and sincerity—are like “rain” that nourishes the heart.

Structure and Key Topics

The book is divided into chapters that reflect major themes; some of the headings (in English) include:

• The Paths to Happiness

• The Love of God

• The Ephemerality of the World

• Divine Oneness (Tawḥīd) as the Key to Heaven

• Three Kinds of Hearts

• The Many Benefits of Remembrance

• Remembrance and Supplication

It also includes appendices: Arabic texts of recommended invocations, biographical notes about Ibn Qayyim, and other related material.

Within the chapters Ibn Qayyim discusses:

• The nature of the lower self/the ego, and how invocation combats its dominance.

• The body, the world, and their fleeting nature, prompting the believer to focus on what is eternal.

• The various levels and types of worship (including prayer, fasting, charity) and how they relate to the remembrance of Allah.

• How the heart changes when filled with remembrance—its states, conditions, and spiritual growth.

• Practical guidance on how to invoke God, purify the inner self, and live a life rooted in remembrance.

Style and Approach

• The style is spiritual and devotional, yet grounded in classical scholarship. Ibn Qayyim draws on Qur’anic verses and Prophetic traditions to support his teachings.

• It is not purely theoretical: there is a practical orientation—encouraging readers to reflect, act, and strive for sincerity in invocation.

• The tone is earnest and motivational: speaking to the believer’s heart, urging them to recognize the immense benefit of remembering Allah, and the danger of neglecting it.

Significance

• It is regarded as an important work in Islamic spirituality because it provides clear, substantial reflection on remembrance (dhikr), which is often treated in more popular or superficial ways.

• It bridges theology, ethics and spirituality: though concerned with worship, it extends to the heart, character, and the believer’s relationship with Allah.

• Many modern readers turn to this work for a deeper understanding of how everyday worship can become a source of inner transformation.

Strengths and Considerations

Strengths:

• Offers a rich and manageable work on the heart and spiritual life — suitable for those wanting more than just a summary of dhikr.

• Written by a major classical scholar, with credible grounding in Islamic sources.

• Helps connect the outer acts of worship with inner reality and purpose.

Considerations:

• Because it deals with inner states and spirituality, it may require contemplative reading rather than rushed reading.

• Some of the chapters may assume a certain familiarity with Islamic terms (e.g., taḥdīth al-nafs, heart-states) so a reader new to Islamic spirituality might need some supplementary explanation.

• Like all works on inner dimensions, personal reflection and commitment are necessary to gain full benefit.

Summary

Al-Wābil al-Ṣayyib min al-Kalīm al-Ṭayyib is a powerful classic of Islamic spiritual literature. It teaches that remembrance of Allah—not just as words but as a lived inner reality—is the key to purification, spiritual growth, and closeness to God. Ibn Qayyim presents remembrance as a heavy, life-giving rain that washes the heart, revives the soul, and connects the believer to the Divine.