Mawsuat al-Akhlaq wa al-Zuhd wa al-Raqaiq

Author died
-
Editions
Iqra Foundation for Publishing, Distribution and Translation

Mawsuat al-Akhlaq wa al-Zuhd wa al-Raqaiq (Encyclopedia of Ethics, Asceticism, and Heart-Softening Traditions) is an Islamic ethical and pedagogical compendium compiled by the contemporary author Yasir Abd al-Rahman . Subtitled Qisas Tarbawiyyah min Hayat al-Anbiya wa al-Sahabah wa al-Tabi'in wa al-Salihin (Educational Stories from the Lives of the Prophets, Companions, Successors, and the Righteous), the work gathers moral teachings and character-building narratives drawn from early Islamic figures .

Purpose and Scope

The author compiled the encyclopedia to confront moral decline in contemporary society by re-anchoring ethical behavior in Islamic worship and foundational texts . The work approaches individual traits—such as sincerity (ikhlas), truthfulness, trustworthiness, and mercy toward others—as practical fruits of faith rather than abstract concepts .

Method and Structure

The encyclopedia is organized around distinct moral qualities and spiritual themes . Each section typically opens with relevant Quranic verses and prophetic traditions, followed by an extensive collection of historical anecdotes from the lives of the prophets, the Companions, the Successors, and later pious scholars .

To bridge the gap between reading and daily practice, the compiler incorporated several specific pedagogical features:

  • Pedagogical Commentary: Most narratives conclude with practical advice, reflective questions, or educational directives aimed at transforming moral knowledge into concrete action .
  • Emphasis on Narrative: The compiler deliberately favored storytelling over abstract preaching, observing that illustrative stories have a deeper emotional and psychological impact on readers .
  • Practical Application: Readers are advised to study one trait at a time—individually or within families and study circles—over a daily or weekly period, striving to embody it before progressing to another .
  • Repetition of Select Accounts: A small number of accounts are repeated across different thematic sections due to their relevance to multiple virtues .

Publication

The work was issued in multiple volumes, with its first edition published in 1428 AH (2007 CE) by Mu'assasat Iqra' li al-Nashr wa al-Tawzi' wa al-Tarjamah in Cairo .

Answer updated