al-Marad wal-Kaffarat li-Ibn Abi al-Dunya

al-Marad wal-Kaffarat (Illness and Expiations) is a monograph by the Baghdadi traditionist and ascetic author Ibn Abi al-Dunya (208–281 AH / 823–894 CE) devoted to the spiritual meaning of illness, suffering, and the expiation of sins al-Marad wal-Kaffarat li-…+1.

Subject Matter and Scope

The book compiles prophetic hadiths, statements of the Companions, and reports from early ascetics regarding physical ailments, fevers, pain, and afflictions al-Durr al-Manthur fi al-…+1. Its primary themes include:

• Expiation of Sins and Elevation of Ranks: Narrations asserting that bodily afflictions—even as small as the prick of a thorn or a headache—serve to erase misdeeds and raise spiritual stations al-Marad wal-Kaffarat li-…+1.
• Patience and Submission: Encouragement to endure sickness with contentment and without despair, highlighting that hardship intensifies for prophets and righteous believers according to their faith al-Jami al-Kamil fi al-Ha…+1.
• Continuation of Good Deeds: Traditions reporting that when a servant falls ill, the recording angels are commanded to write the reward of the righteous deeds the person routinely performed while in health al-Masalik fi Sharh Muwat…+1.
• Visiting the Sick and Supplications: The etiquette, merit, and supplications associated with visiting the ailing and prayers recited at the bedside for healing or spiritual ease al-Mawsua al-Hadithiya - …+1.

The text contains over 250 numbered narrations and reports, concluding with a supplication transmitted on the authority of Hajjaj ibn Furafisa for seeking divine healing al-Marad wal-Kaffarat li-…+1.

Transmission

The work was transmitted through several chains of riwaya from Ibn Abi al-Dunya. Among the prominent transmitters were his disciples Abu Ali al-Husayn ibn Safwan al-Bardha'i and Muhammad ibn 'Abdullah al-Saffar al-Tahbir fi al-Mujam al-…+1. The transmission lineages passed through later scholars such as Abu al-Qasim al-Sam'ani, who documented hearing the text in Mayhana through chains reaching al-Saffar al-Tahbir fi al-Mujam al-…, as well as bibliographical chains preserved by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani and Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti Anshab al-Kuthub fi Ansab…+1.

Scholarly Reception and Evaluation

The work served as an essential reference for later traditionists and authors compiling manuals on tribulations, funeral rites, and spiritual encouragement. It was frequently quoted by scholars such as al-Bayhaqi, Zayn al-Din al-Iraqi, and al-Suyuti in works such as al-Durr al-Manthur al-Durr al-Manthur fi al-…+1.

Hadith critics have noted that Ibn Abi al-Dunya gathered both authentic and deficient reports in accordance with the prevalent practice of early compendium authors in works of virtuous deeds and exhortation (al-targhib wal-tarhib) al-Mawsua al-Hadithiya - …+1. For instance, al-Mundhiri highlighted that certain reports recorded in the work bear noticeable signs of severe weakness or fabrication al-Mawsua al-Hadithiya - ….