Fi al-Suluk al-Islami al-Qawim
- Author died
- 1281 AH
- Editions
- Dar Al Fikr
Fi al-Suluk al-Islami al-Qawim (في السلوك الإسلامي القويم, "On Upright Islamic Conduct") is a treatise on Islamic ethics, spiritual refinement, and interpersonal conduct by Ibn al-Shawkani (d. 1281 AH / 1864–1865 CE) .
Subject Matter and Core Themes
The work addresses moral virtues, heart purification, and the avoidance of common spiritual and verbal transgressions.
Virtues of the Heart and Contentment
The text examines contentment (qanāʿah), defining it linguistically as satisfaction with one's apportioned share (al-riḍā bi-l-qism) . It emphasizes that when a believer attains certainty that sustenance is determined exclusively by the Creator and Provider, distress dissipates, bringing peace of mind and satisfaction with life .
The author also expounds upon soundness of heart (salāmat al-ṣadr), defining it as the complete absence of malice, rancor, and hatred (ʿadam al-ḥiqd wa-l-ghill wa-l-baghḍāʾ) . This virtue is supported through prophetic traditions warning against reciprocal envy and hatred—which the Prophet described as a disease shaving away one's religion—and enjoining the spreading of greetings of peace (salām) to foster mutual affection and secure forgiveness .
Ethics of Speech and Prohibition of Backbiting
A notable portion of the work is devoted to the vices of the tongue, particularly backbiting (ghībah). The author laments how widespread and normalized backbiting had become among people despite its severe gravity, observing that it directly infringes upon the rights of others .
The work affirms that backbiting is unlawful by the textual proofs of the Quran, the prophetic Sunnah, and unanimous consensus (ijmāʿ) . It highlights that no scholar granted a blanket allowance for it, while noting the six specific exceptions delineated by al-Nawawi in his commentary on Sahih Muslim :
- Seeking assistance to eliminate or correct a wrongdoing
- Criticizing untrustworthy narrators, witnesses, and authors, as well as offering counsel during consultations
- Identification or clarification of individuals when necessary
- Seeking a formal legal verdict (istiftāʾ)
- A victim seeking justice by reporting wrongdoing to a ruler or judge
- Warning against someone who openly and unashamedly commits wickedness or religious innovation (bidʿah)
Answer updated