al-Tawwabin li-Ibn Qudama
- Author died
- 620 AH
- Editions
- Dār Ibn Ḥazm
Kitab al-Tawwabin (The Book of the Penitent) is a collection of repentance narratives compiled by the Hanbali scholar Ibn Qudama (541–620 AH / 1146–1223 CE) . The work gathers traditional accounts and moral exemplars across history to illustrate God's forgiveness and encourage spiritual return and reform .
Structure and Content
The book is arranged chronologically and categorically according to the classes of penitents :
- The Angels: Commencing with accounts concerning celestial beings, such as Harut and Marut and the angels who sought forgiveness after questioning the creation of humankind .
- The Prophets: Narrating the repentance and supplications of figures including Adam, Noah, and Moses .
- Kings of Past Nations: Documenting ancient rulers who renounced their worldly power and excess upon receiving spiritual admonition, such as the ruler associated with al-Khawarnaq .
- Past Nations and Peoples: Stories of communities and individuals from earlier religious traditions .
- The Companions: Accounts of early Muslims who turned to God during the prophetic era .
- Muslim Rulers and Individual Believers: Covering Muslim kings and prominent ascetics, followed by ordinary men and women who experienced turning points of remorse and devotion .
The material is presented primarily through narrated reports transmitted with chains of narration (isnads) that link back to early authorities such as Wahb ibn Munabbih, Mujahid, and traditional hadith transmitters .
Transmission and Reception
The book was transmitted among scholars in Syria and beyond. Taj al-Din al-Subki noted reading selections from Kitab al-Tawwabin under Abu Ishaq Ibrahim ibn Abd Allah al-Zaytawi, who had received the text from Abd al-Hafiz ibn Badran . Later historians also cited its narratives; Ibn Kathir referred readers to Ibn Qudama's detailed rendering of the story of the king of al-Khawarnaq in his history al-Bidaya wa-l-nihaya .
Modern Editions
The work has been published in several modern editions, including an edition verified by Abd al-Qadir al-Arna'ut published in Beirut (1403 AH / 1983 CE) and an edition edited by Ala' Abd al-Wahhab Muhammad published in Cairo (1993 CE) .
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