The late Shaykh ʿAbd al-Qadir ʿIsa (ra) (d. 1312 H/1991 CE) was one of the revivers of the Sufi tradition in the Levant. In a time of gross materialism and imported profane ideologies into the Arab world, Shaykh ʿAbd al-Qadir ʿIsa provided the keys for a reclamation of Islam’s spiritual riches and revived the spiritual path, imparting guidance and instruction to scores of people from all strata of society.

Realities of Sufism, the Shaykh’s only book, takes readers on a journey to the heart of Islam. Expositing on the foundations of Islam’s spiritual path, Sufism, Shaykh ʿAbd al-Qadir simultaneously describes the workings of the path of excellence—ihsan—and answers the doubts of the orientalists, modernists, and would be Islamic revivalists. Some of the topics in this book include: the history and etymology of Sufism, the conditions of a true spiritual guide, the proper manners of a spiritual seeker, the outer manners of the path, the inner manners of the path, the deeds of the heart, spiritual unveiling, miracles, oneness of being, and historic testimonies to Sufism’s key role and efficacy in purifying the souls and elevating the Sacred over the profane in the lives of man.

“Our Shaykh (ra) was a Sufi of the old persuasion: the Sufism or purification indicated in the Book of Allah Most High, and which the Messenger of Allah (sa) was keen to teach. Our Shaykh used to say: ‘The spiritual path has five pillars: remembrance, instruction, knowledge, struggle, and love.’” —Shaykh Muhammad b. Yahya al-Ninowy

Sufism is good character
He who is ahead of you in good character
Is ahead of you in Sufism