al-Uzla wal-Infirad

al-ʿUzla wal-Infirād (Seclusion and Solitude) is a treatise by the Baghdadi scholar and hadith specialist Ibn Abi al-Dunya (208–281 AH / 823–894 CE) that compiles prophetic traditions, narrations of the early generations, and ascetic maxims on the virtue of spiritual retreat and avoiding harmful socializing al-Uzla wal-Infirad+1.

Subject Matter and Themes

The work gathers textual narrations (āthār), ethical anecdotes, wise sayings, and verses of poetry centered on the praise of seclusion (ʿuzla), solitude (infirād and waḥda), maintaining silence, and staying in one’s home to safeguard faith and character al-Uzla wal-Infirad+1.

Among its themes, the book presents reports emphasizing that solitude serves as protection against bad company and spiritual distraction al-Uzla wal-Infirad+1. Ibn Abi al-Dunya documents statements from Companions such as ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb, who advised taking one's share of seclusion, and ʿAbd Allāh ibn Masʿūd, who expressed the wish to be isolated where he would speak to no human until meeting God Hayat al-Sahaba+1. It also cites ascetic counsels from early figures like Sufyān al-Thawrī on adhering to quietude and remaining at home, and Wuhayb ibn al-Ward on finding seclusion in the restraint of the tongue al-Uzla wal-Infirad.

Transmission and Structure

The preserved text of the work is divided into parts (ajzāʾ) al-Uzla wal-Infirad+1. Its primary transmission line from the author runs through:

• Abu ʿAli al-Husayn ibn Safwan al-Bardhaʿi al-Uzla wal-Infirad+1
• Abu ʿAbd Allah Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Yusuf ibn Dust al-ʿAllaf al-Uzla wal-Infirad+1
• Abu al-Karam al-Mubarak ibn al-Hasan ibn Ahmad al-Shahrazuri al-Uzla wal-Infirad+1
• Abu al-Hasan ibn Abi ʿUbayd Allah ibn Abi al-Hasan ibn al-Muqayr al-Baghdadi al-Uzla wal-Infirad+1
• Ahmad ibn ʿAbd Allah ibn Abi al-Ghanayim al-Muslim ibn Hammad ibn Maysara al-Azdi, who audited and penned the surviving manuscript copy al-Uzla wal-Infirad+1.

Publication History

The book has been edited in a single volume by Musʿad ʿAbd al-Hamid Muhammad al-Saʿdani and published by Maktabat al-Furqan in Cairo al-Uzla wal-Infirad. Another edition was edited by Mashhur Hasan Al Salman and published by Dar al-Watan in Riyadh al-Uzla wal-Infirad.