Tabaqat al-Awliya
- Author died
- 804 AH
- Editions
- Maktabat al-Khanji
Tabaqat al-Awliya (Generations of the Saints) is a biographical compendium of Muslim ascetics and Sufi figures compiled by the Egyptian Shafi'i scholar and hadith specialist Ibn al-Mulaqqin (723–804 AH / 1323–1401 CE) .
Purpose and Scope
Ibn al-Mulaqqin wrote the work to document the lives and virtues of prominent spiritual figures and poles (aqtab) across diverse regions and historical eras . In his preface, he stated that he compiled these biographies so that readers might find guidance in their virtues and follow in their footsteps, expressing the hope of being gathered in their company in light of the prophetic tradition المرء مع من أحب ("A person is with whom he loves"), and seeking to find spiritual revitalization through their remembrance while alleviating toil and distress . The work belongs to the traditional genre of Sufi and ascetic biographical literature, standing alongside earlier compendiums such as Hilyat al-Awliya by Abu Nu'aym al-Isfahani and Tabaqat al-Sufiyya by Abu 'Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami .
Reception and Editions
The bibliographer Haji Khalifa recorded the work under the title Tabaqat al-Awliya, noting that Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti cited it in his treatise Tanwir al-Huluk . The historian Shams al-Din al-Sakhawi also referred to it in al-I'lan bi-l-Tawbikh as a single compact volume of Sufi biographies, quoting its introductory statement .
The book was edited by Nur al-Din Shurayba and published in Cairo by Maktabat al-Khanji in 1393 AH (1973 CE), with subsequent reprintings .
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