Softening the Heart : New,
*[A5+] Paperback - 490 pages,
Kitab az-Zuhd wa'r-Raqa'iq -
by Shaykh 'Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak [d.181h],
Translated by Aisha Bewley,
Published by Turath.

Now in Stock January 2023

Description :

Kitab az-Zuhd wa'r-Raqa'iq  - The Softening of the Heart : 'Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak's Kitab az-Zuhd wa'r-Raqa'iq, the earliest extant book on self-discipline in Islam, is a collection of Qur’anic exegesis, Prophetic traditions and anecdotes from the early generations that encourages rejection of this temporal world in favour of the eternal life of the Next World.

"Beware of gluttony, because it hardens the heart, but overstuff yourself with knowledge.
Do not laugh a lot, otherwise no good will penetrate the heart."
---Narrated by Sufyan. (ref: Abu Nu'aym, in Hilyah 7:36).

This edition is prefaced with introductions on the topic of Zuhd which expound on the broad application of this term and help readers to apprecaite the rich legacy of self discipline among the early Muslims. It is filled with priceless gems and words of wisdom which are sure to soften hearts and revive in them the fear of Allah Almighty coupled with sincere hope in Him.



 

About the Author :

He is Shaykh 'Abdullah Ibn al-Mubarak Ibn Wadhih, Abu 'Abdur-Rahman al-Handzali, at-Tamimi, may Allah be pleased with him. He is famously referred to as “Ibn al Mubarak”. His father was from Merv, Khurasan (modern day Turkmenistan) and his mother from Khawarizm. He was born on the year 118 After Hijri. He had many titles, such as Al-Hafidh, Shaykh al-Islam, Fakhr Al-Mujahidin, leader of the ascetics, and many other titles. He spent his lifetime on journeys to perform pilgrimage, jihad, and to trade. Thus, he was known as “As Saffar” (one who often travels). Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal, may Allah be pleased with him, said that there was no one who tavelled more to seek knowedge than ibn al-Muabarak.

Many scholars were in praise for him due to his nobility and his vast knowledge. Here are some examples :

       Ibn Mahdi, rahimahullah, said, “There are four leaders (of religion) : Malik, At-Thawri, Hammad Ibn Zaid, and Ibn al Mubarak.” Ibn Mahdi ennobled him more than At-Thawri.

       Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, rahimahullah, said, “There was no one in his time that was more diligent in seeking for knowledge than Ibn al Mubarak.”

       Hasan Ibn Isa Ibn Masijiris, rahimahullah, said, “The students of Ibn al Mubarak gathered and said, ‘Let us mention the excellence of Ibn al Mubarak’. They mentioned, ‘In him, there are knowledges, knowledge of jurisprudence, etiquette, knowledge of language and grammar, asceticism, of poetry, fluency in speaking, habit of performing the night prayer, diligence in worship, pilgrimage, skill of war, mastery in horse riding, silence in trivial matters, justice, and rarity in having feud with people around him.”

       Ibn Ma’in, rahimahullah, said, “He was a trusted scholar, and he had a strong memory. The book he taught about hadith contains 20.000 hadith.”

About the Translator :

Hajjah Aisha Bewley is the translator of a large number of classical works of Islam and Sufism, often in collaboration with Abdalhaqq Bewley, notably The Noble Qur’an – a New Rendering of Its Meanings in English; Muhammad, Messenger of Allah – the translation of Qadi Iyad's ash-Shifa; the Muwatta of Imam Malik ibn Anas; and Imam an-Nawawi’s Riyad as-Salihin.

Small selection of Aisha Bewleys works/translations.

Table of Contents :

---Introduction,
------The meaning of Zuhd,
------How the righteous early Muslims described Zuhd and those who practiced it,
------Zahids and what drove the Zuhd,
------Sanctioned Zuhd and innovative Zuhd,
------Zuhd of the Prophet, may Allah bless him & grant him peace,
------Food of the Prophet, may Allah bless him & grant him peace,
------Clothes of the Prophet, may Allah bless him & grant him peace,
------Bed of the Prophet, may Allah bless him & grant him peace,
------Zuhd of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them,
------The types of Zuhd,
------The levels of Zuhd,
------Harms of loving the world,
------Books written on Zuhd.

---Biography of the Author,
---Biographies of the Narraor's of ibn al-Mubarak's Kitab az-Zuhd,

---[1]. Encouragement to obey Allah Almighty,
---[2]. Seeking knowledge to obtain worldly goods,
---[3]. Fearing the consequences of sins,
---[4]. Excellence of worship,
---[5]. Sorrow and weeping,
---[6]. Concealed actions and remembrance,
---[7]. Humility and fear,
---[8]. Striving in worship,
---[9]. Sincerity and intention,
---[10]. Esteem for the remembrance of Allah,
---[11]. Reflection on following funeral biers,
---[12]. Prohibition of having high expectations,
---[13]. Remembering death,
---[14]. Fearing death because of leaving types of worship,
---[15]. Reflection and consideration,
---[16]. Fleeing from sins and transgression,
---[17]. Righteousness of a household,
---[18]. The earth boasting,
---[19]. Truthful companions,
---[20]. Guarding the tongue,
---[21]. Humility,
---[22]. Walking to the Prayer, sitting in the Masjid, and other things,
---[23]. Reliance on Allah,
---[24]. Glad-tidings for a Muslim when he dies,
---[25]. Ostentation, pride and the like,
---[26]. Dawud's repentance, and other Prophets,
---[27]. Making do with little of the world,
---[28]. Lowliness of this world in the sight of  Allah,
---[29]. Reliance and humility,
---[30]. Contentment and pleasure,
---[31]. Poverty,
---[32]. Seeking the lawful,
---[33]. Charity,
---[34]. Treating orphans well,
---[35]. Avarice,
---[36]. Intention with few actions and a sound heart,
---[37]. Lying in speech to amuse people,
---[38]. Mending relations between people,
---[39]. Censure of blessing in this world,
---[40]. Knowledge being taken away,
---[41]. Blameworthy qualities,
---[42]. Humility,
---[43]. Uways and Sunabihi,
---[44]. Amir ibn 'Abd Qays and Silah ibn 'Ashyam,
---[45]. 'Abu Rayhanah and others,
---[46]. 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-Aziz,
---[47]. The Mercy of Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, the Sublime, the Most High,
---[49]. Excellence of the remembrance of Allah Almighty.

---Bibliography.

*Dimensions : 23 x 15.5 x 3.5cm (approx).