Softening the Heart

ʿAbdullāh ibn al-Mubārak’s Kitāb az-Zuhd wa’r-Raqāʾiq, the earliest extant book on self-discipline in Islam, is a collection of Qur’ānic exegesis, prophetic traditions and anecdotes from the early generations that encourages rejection of this temporal world in favour of the eternal life of the Next World. This edition is prefaced with detailed introductions on the topic of zuhd which expound on the broad application of this term and help readers to appreciate the rich legacy of self-discipline among the early Muslims. It is filled with priceless gems and words of wisdom which are sure to soften hearts and revive in them the fear of Allah coupled with sincere hope in Him.