Kitab ar-Raqaaiq

Kitab ar-Raqaaiq by Imam Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak al-Marwazi (d. 181 AH) is one of the early and significant collections regarding spiritual refinement, asceticism, and the awakening of the heart. Ibn al-Mubarak was one of the outstanding scholars of the 2nd century AH and was simultaneously known for his piety, his dedication to the religion, and his extensive transmission of hadiths.

The work contains more than 1,500 narrations with chains of transmission, including marfu‘, mawquf, and maqtu‘ narrations. The chapters cover numerous topics related to the education and purification of the heart – from encouragement towards obedience to Allah, to repentance (tawbah), fear, hope, patience, humility, and sincerity, through to the belittlement of this world and preparation for the hereafter.

A valuable classical source for all those who wish to engage with the traditions of the early scholars and the refinement of the heart in the light of the Qur’an and Sunnah.