Hakatha Kana al-Salihun
- Author died
- 1434 AH
- Editions
- Markaz al-Fajr lil-I‘lām
Hakatha Kana al-Salihun (Thus Were the Righteous) is an ethical and devotional treatise by Khalid al-Husayanan (d. 1434 AH / 2012–2013 CE) compiling the virtues, manners, worship, and statements of the early pious generations and Islamic scholars .
Purpose and Scope
In his introduction, al-Husayanan explains that he compiled the book to introduce Muslims to the conduct, worship, and biographies of righteous predecessors and practicing scholars . He identifies three main benefits of reflecting on their examples: strengthening resolve and aspiration to reach their spiritual status, fostering personal humility by recognizing one's shortcomings, and enlightening minds and hearts regarding ethics, virtues, and acts of devotion often neglected in everyday life .
The author clarifies that his own role was limited to compiling, refining, abridging, and organizing material drawn from the words of earlier and later scholars, intending the work to serve as a practical guide for callers (du'at), preachers, mosque imams, and the general public .
Content and Structure
The work is organized into thematic sections centered on spiritual virtues, heart actions, and practical ethics, supporting each subject with Quranic passages, prophetic traditions, and narrations from classical figures . Among the primary topics addressed are:
- Worship and Devotion: Exploring the spiritual essence of worship, obstacles that deprive a believer of devotion such as night prayer, and the conditions for tasting the sweetness of obedience .
- Scrupulous Piety (Wara'): Examining the definitions of wara', its role in speech and seclusion, and distinguishing between genuine scrupulousness and misleading scruples .
- Reverence and Humility (Khushu'): Discussing inner and outer humility in prayer, the dangers of losing khushu', and distinguishing genuine spiritual reverence from outward pretension .
- Virtues and Inward States: Covering God-consciousness (taqwa), truthfulness (sidq), having a favorable opinion of God (husn al-zann), reliance on divine assistance (isti'anah), asceticism (zuhd), altruism (ithar), and maintaining steadfastness until death .
- Sunnah and Conduct: Highlighting strict adherence to the Prophetic Sunnah, constant remembrance of God (dhikr), safeguarding the tongue from idle speech and backbiting, and avoiding ostentation and affectation (al-tasannu' and al-takalluf) .
- Concealment of Deeds and Public Reform: Detailing the practice of keeping good deeds secret (al-khabi'ah min al-'amal al-salih) alongside the obligation of communal reform through enjoining good and forbidding wrong with knowledge, gentleness, and patience .
- Praise and Supplication: Concluding with practical steps for praising God, extending prostrations in prayer, and utilizing comprehensive Prophetic supplications .
Sources and Publication
The author draws upon classical commentators and scholars, citing statements and rulings from figures such as al-Tabari, Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn al-Qayyim, Ibn Rajab, and Abd al-Rahman al-Sa'di . The text was published through Markaz al-Fajr li-l-I'lam in 1430 AH (2009 CE) .
Answer updated