The Devil’s Deceptions

About The Devil’s Deceptions

The Devil’s Deceptions is the English translation of Talbis Iblis, the famous classical work by Imam Abu al-Faraj Ibn al-Jawzi (RH) of Baghdad. The book exposes the many deceptions that Iblis uses to pull people away from the straight path, whether they are scholars, worshippers, rulers or ordinary believers. It is a complete translation published by Dar Us Sunnah, and it has become one of the most requested books in our Creed & Fiqh section.

The central idea of the book is simple and powerful. Ibn al-Jawzi (RH) explains that Shaytan works best in the darkness of ignorance, and that knowledge is the light that uncovers his traps. When a believer learns how these deceptions work, it becomes much easier to recognise them in his or her own life and to warn others about them.

About Imam Ibn al-Jawzi (RH)

Imam Abu al-Faraj Abd al-Rahman Ibn al-Jawzi (RH) was born in Baghdad around 1116 CE (510 AH) and passed away in the same city in 1201 CE (597 AH). He followed the Hanbali school of jurisprudence and was one of the most prolific authors of his age; by 1179 he had already written more than 150 works. He was known as a preacher whose sermons drew large crowds, as well as a historian, a narrator of hadith and a commentator on the Qur’an. Among his well-known works are Zad al-Masir in tafsir and Sifat al-Safwa on the lives of the pious, but Talbis Iblis remains one of his most widely read books.

What The Devil’s Deceptions covers

The Dar Us Sunnah translation follows the structure of the original work. Its chapters move from the foundations of the religion to the specific ways in which different kinds of people are misled:

• Holding fast to the Sunnah and to the main body of the Muslims
• The condemnation of innovation (bid’ah) in the religion
• Warnings about the plots and cunning of Shaytan, and the meaning of deception and delusion
• How Iblis misled earlier nations and religious groups in matters of belief
• How he misleads Muslims in creed and religion
• The deceptions that reach scholars in different fields of knowledge
• The deceptions that reach rulers and those in authority
• The deceptions that affect worshippers in their acts of worship, and ascetics in their devotion
• His criticism of practices among some Sufis of his time
• The deceptions faced by ordinary people, and the false hope of a long life that makes people delay repentance

Why these deceptions still matter today

Although the book was written more than eight centuries ago, the deceptions it describes have not changed. Doubts about belief, pride in one’s own knowledge, showing off in worship, extremes in religious practice, laziness disguised as reliance on Allah and the endless delaying of repentance are as common today as they were in Baghdad. Ibn al-Jawzi (RH) shows that Shaytan often approaches a person through the very thing that person cares about. A student of knowledge may be tested through arrogance, a worshipper through self-admiration and a preacher through love of praise. Reading these chapters is like holding up a mirror to one’s own heart.

The book is also a reminder that following the Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, as understood by the early generations, is the surest protection against being misled. Again and again the author returns to the point that sincerity to Allah Almighty and sound knowledge are what keep a believer safe.

Who should read The Devil’s Deceptions

• Students of knowledge who want to study a classical text on creed and self-purification
• Imams, teachers and speakers who wish to guard against the hidden traps of their own roles
• Readers who want to understand where innovation in religion comes from
• Anyone who feels distracted from worship and wants to understand the whisperings of Shaytan
• Readers in Srinagar, across Kashmir and the rest of India building a serious English library of classical Islamic works

How to benefit from the book

This is a large book, so read it chapter by chapter rather than all at once. After each chapter, write down one trap that you recognise in yourself and one practical step to avoid it. Study the sections on scholars and worshippers with humility, remembering that the author wrote them as a warning for himself as much as for others. Where a matter is detailed or debated, ask a trustworthy scholar. Keep making dua that Allah protects you from Shaytan, and seek refuge in Allah regularly, as Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught.

Edition details

Title: The Devil’s Deceptions (Talbis Iblis). Author: Imam Ibn al-Jawzi (RH). Publisher: Dar Us Sunnah. Language: English. For the translator, year, page count and other details of the copy in stock, please message us on WhatsApp at 9906523492. Same-day dispatch from Srinagar, with delivery in about 1 day in Srinagar and 3 to 10 days across the rest of India.

Frequently asked questions about The Devil’s Deceptions

What is the Arabic title of this book? The original Arabic title is Talbis Iblis.

Is this an abridged version? The Dar Us Sunnah edition is presented as a complete translation of the classical text.

Who was the author? Imam Ibn al-Jawzi (RH), the Hanbali scholar and preacher of Baghdad who died in 1201 CE.

How quickly will it reach me? We dispatch the same day from Srinagar. Delivery is about 1 day in Srinagar and 3 to 10 days in the rest of India.

Looking for more books like this? Browse our Creed & Fiqh collection or explore all Islamic Books. Follow Lafz Bookstore on Instagram for new arrivals and book recommendations.