Mufid al-Ulum wa Mubid al-Humum
- Author died
- 383 AH
- Editions
- al-Maktabah al-ʿUnṣuriyyah
Mufid al-Ulum wa Mubid al-Humum (The Benefactor of Sciences and Dispeller of Worries) is an Arabic encyclopedic compendium attributed to Jamal al-Din Abu Bakr al-Khwarizmi (d. 383 AH / 993 CE), spanning Islamic theology, the prophetic biography, the refutation of various philosophical and religious traditions, ethics, geography, and psychological remedies .
Authorship and Title
The printed edition attributes the work to the scholar Jamal al-Din Abu Bakr al-Khwarizmi . In other bibliographical records, the title is associated with Abu Bakr al-Khwarizmi al-Muqri al-Fayyumi . A different text sharing the identical title is documented by Hajji Khalifa as a glossary of medical and linguistic terminology found in Abu Bakr al-Razi's al-Mansuri, compiled in alphabetical order by Abu Ja'far Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn al-Hassa at the direction of the Almohad prince Abu Zakariyya Yahya .
Structure and Content
The compendium compiles multiple classical disciplines into distinct themed treatises (kutub) and chapters (abwab):
- Foundations of Religion (Kitab Qawa'id al-Din): Comprises nine chapters dealing with theological investigation and deduction (al-nazar wa-l-istidlal), its definition and obligation; the primary duties incumbent upon legally responsible individuals (al-mukallafun); divine unity (tawhid) and notable insights of scholars on the subject; the marvels of human creation; the theological question of whether God is inside or outside the world; necessary creedal beliefs; the sects of the Muslim community; and the legal status of those who have not received the prophetic call .
- Rulings of Prophethood (Kitab Ahkam al-Nubuwwah): Spans eleven chapters addressing the meaning of prophethood; the refutation of the Brahmins; the proof of the prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ; the criteria and accounts of prophetic miracles; the Prophet’s ﷺ lineage, character, and diplomatic correspondence sent to contemporary monarchs; as well as his military campaigns, the domain of war (dar al-harb), classifications of non-Muslims, and covenants .
- Refutations of Non-Believers (Kitab al-Radd 'ala al-Kafarah): Contains fourteen chapters examining the reality of fanatical bias (al-ta'assub) and unbelief (kufr), with explicit refutations directed against philosophers, materialists (al-dahriyyah), esotericists (al-malahidah), naturalists (al-taba'iyyiyyun), astrologers, Jews, idolaters, cow and celestial worshippers, Zoroastrians, Brahmins, Christians, Byzantine polemics, and antinomians (al-ibahiyyah) .
- Religious and Worldly Benefits (Kitab Fawa'id al-Din): Consists of sixteen chapters addressing the advantages and perils of wealth; protective supplications for property; the ruling on cursing wrongdoers; contexts permitting prevarication; and the comparative virtues of the grateful wealthy versus the patient poor .
- Debates and Dialogues: Features literary dialogues and debates between figures representing contrasting conditions, such as the inhabitants of graves versus the inhabitants of palaces; the wealthy versus the poor; physical well-being (al-'afiyah) versus material bounty (al-ni'mah); generosity versus stinginess; and political rule (al-dawlah) versus intellect (al-'aql) .
- Mineralogy and Precious Stones (Kitab Ma'rifat al-Jawahir): Divided into three chapters detailing mineral deposits, the occult and physical properties of gems, and the prized treasures of monarchs .
- Geography and Regional Marvels (Kitab al-Aqalim): Spans four chapters outlining the climes of the Earth, terrestrial topography, the most formidable buildings constructed, the most scenic and pleasant lands, and the unique marvels characteristic of various cities .
- Treatment of Sins and Spiritual Ailments (Kitab Mu'alajat al-Dhunub): Contains eighteen chapters addressing the remediation of inner psychological and moral ailments, including anxiety over one's ultimate end, love of worldly life, heedlessness, physical desires, excessive speech, falsehood, backbiting, and anger .
- Sunnah and Belles-Lettres: Incorporates a section on the explanation of the Sunnah (Kitab Sharh al-Sunnah) divided into nine chapters, and integrates Arabic literary selections, rhymed prose, and poetry throughout the discussions .
Publication History
The work was printed in early editions alongside Shams al-Din Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Anbabi's al-Mukhtar min Nawadir al-Akhbar, which appeared in its margins . It was subsequently published in 1400 AH (1980 CE) by the Department of Religious Affairs in Qatar, introduced by Abdullah ibn Ibrahim al-Ansari .
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