Softening of the Heart: Kitab az-Zuhd wa'r-Raqa'iq

Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak
Aisha Bewley (translation)
Paperback, 494 pages
9789069499833

Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak's Kitab az-Zuhd wa'r-Raqaiq, 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. This edition is prefaced with detailed introductions on the topic of zuhd which expound on the broad application of this term and help readers to appreciate 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 coupled with sincere hope in Him.

Abu Abd al-Rahman Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak ibn Wadih al-Hanzali at-Tamimi, the great scholar, hadith master and ascetic, was born in 118AH/736CE in Merv. He was an avid learner who travelled and studied with many prominent tabiunn such as Awza'i, Yahya ibn Abi Kathir, Layth ibn Sa'd, Malik ibn Anas, Sufyan ath-Thawri, Abu Hanifah and Hammad ibn Zayd.