Makarim al-Akhlaq li-Ibn Abi al-Dunya
- Author died
- 281 AH
- Editions
- Maktabat al-Qur’ān
Makarim al-Akhlaq (Noble Character Traits) is an early ethical and hadith treatise by the Baghdadi scholar and educator Ibn Abi al-Dunya (208–281 AH / 823–894 CE) devoted to virtuous conduct, moral virtues, and noble deeds in Islam.
Purpose and Method
Ibn Abi al-Dunya framed the work around the prophetic tradition and the reports of early Muslims regarding virtuous character, demonstrating that God linked every noble trait and beautiful act directly to religion. As stated in his introduction, the author compiled prophetic traditions, reports from the Companions and the Successors, and sayings of scholars so that discerning individuals might increase in insight and those falling short might be awakened from heedlessness, prompting them to desire noble morals and compete in commendable deeds.
The book employs a traditional hadith methodology, recording narrations with their chains of transmission (isnads) back to the Prophet ﷺ, his Companions, and later righteous figures, alongside pieces of advice, moral aphorisms, and anecdotes.
Structure and Content
The core structure of the work is organized around a report attributed to the Prophet's wife Aisha, which enumerates ten fundamental noble traits (makarim al-akhlaq):
- Truthfulness of speech (sidq al-hadith)
- Fortitude and courage in obedience to God (sidq al-ba's fi ta'at Allah)
- Giving to the needy or petitioner (i'ta' al-sa'il)
- Repaying good deeds and favors (mukafa'at al-sani')
- Maintaining family and kinship ties (silat al-rahim)
- Fulfilling trusts (ada' al-amanah)
- Safeguarding obligations toward neighbors (al-tadhammum li-l-jar)
- Safeguarding obligations toward companions (al-tadhammum li-l-sahib)
- Hospitality toward guests (qira al-dayf)
- Modesty (al-haya'), described as the crown and foremost of them all
Under these headings and in introductory sections, the work records general exhortations to moral excellence, including the hadith affirming that the Prophet ﷺ was sent to perfect noble morals, along with reports concerning the divine reward of good character and its role in adorning faith.
Printed Editions
The text has been published in several modern editions, including:
- An edition edited by Muhammad Abd al-Qadir Ahmad Ata, published by Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah in Beirut (1409 AH / 1989 CE), issued alongside al-Tabarani's work of the same title.
- An edition edited by Majdi al-Sayyid Ibrahim, published by Maktabat al-Quran in Cairo (1411 AH / 1990 CE).
- Other printings, including an edition from Maktabat Ibn Taymiyya in Cairo.
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