Ibn Qayyim's famous book, Al Fawa'id is known to all of us today as a collection of gems and wonders, but few of us will be aware of the time, effort and constraints it took to compile such a book. Even fewer of us may be able to explain accurately the purpose or focus of the book at the time of writing.
The following excerpt below by the English translator of the book provides a glimpse of such an undertaking by Ibn Qayyim.
"He focusses on the role and duty of the hearts, and makes them clear to us the extent that we are moved and motivated to learn and practice them. He explains to us the diseases of the heart so that we may know how to avoid and overcome them. He ponders on the depths of the nature of the human self and move inside its hidden sphere, from one part to the other, which may be difficult for many people to understand.
This book has reached the peak of understanding regarding this particular point. Ibn Al Qayyim is renowned in the field of ascetics and one of the most knowledgeable people of Allah."