The renowned theologian & jurist Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya wrote numerous titles many of which are still popular today Amongst these is Key to the Blissful Abode (Miftah Dar al-Sa'ada) The present work is an abridgement of the first volume of Key to the Blissful Abode In it Ibn Qayyim focuses on the importance of knowledge & willpower as means through which a person may attain Paradise Willpower is the door & knowledge--in particular knowledge which pertains to God & His Attributes the Qur'an & the example of the Prophet--is the key Ibn Qayyim discusses the virtues & benefits of knowledge over wealth & worldly matters; the path to knowledge; the importance of pursuing knowledge & applying it in order to achieve guidance from God & protect oneself from doubts; the superiority of the scholar over the worshipper; the necessity of using knowledge & willpower as the bases for all actions if one is to achieve spiritual bliss Ibn Qayyim then concludes by discussing the importance of contemplation & reflection in order to attain further knowledge & guidance Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya was born in 1292 near Damascus where he obtained a classical Islamic education & specialised in jurisprudence In 1312 he met the Hanbalite reformer Ibn Taymiyya & remained his disciple until the latter's death in 1327 Ibn al-Qayyim died in 1350 in Damascus Among his other works translated by the Islamic Texts Society are Medicine of the Prophet & Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya The Invocation of God Tallal M Zeni is a medical doctor who has studied traditional Islamic culture This is his first translation