His epitaphs – al-Shafi’i (showing his school of law) and al-Sufi (showing his spiritual path) – indicate a scholar who refused the false dichotomy between exoteric law ( fiqh ) and esoteric spirituality ( tasawwuf ). He lived at a time when Muslim societies craved accessible, heart-softening literature. His most famous student, (one of Islam's most prolific scholars), praised him highly and transmitted many of his works.
Al-Safuri's motivation was simple: to create a manual for preachers ( wu’az ) that was authentic, engaging, and spiritually uplifting. He wanted to counter the spread of weak or fabricated stories (anecdotes that sometimes polluted popular sermons) by offering a reliable, verified collection. Nuzhat ul Majalis is not a novel to be read cover-to-cover in one sitting. It is a reference work, designed to be dipped into for specific occasions. The book is traditionally divided into chapters (abwab) , each focusing on a distinct spiritual or ethical theme.
That night, the family saw him in a dream, dressed in fine green garments, walking in a garden of Paradise. They asked, “What saved you?” He replied: “The declaration of faith, and the two dirhams. A debt blocks a good ending. Do not ever underestimate the rights of others.” This simple story encapsulates the book’s power: it makes abstract theology (the importance of clearing debts before death) into a living, unforgettable picture. In an age of digital distraction, spiritual anxiety, and shallow content, Nuzhat ul Majalis stands as a quiet, profound alternative. It invites the reader – whether in a mosque in Cairo, a home in London, or a dorm room in New York – to set aside the noise and go for a nuzhat : a delightful walk through the gardens of wise counsel, saintly tears, and prophetic mercy.
