روضة العقلاء ونزهة الفضلاء Rawdah Al-Uqala’ wa-Nuzhah Al-Fudhala’

The Garden of the Intelligent & the Meadow of the Virtuous

Imam Al-Hafidh Abi Hatim Muhammad Ibn Hibban Al-Bustani (d. 354H)

A masterpiece of Islamic Character. A masterpiece of Islamic Literature. One of the most beautiful books written in the history of Islam which is filled with things that remind us of the exceptionality of Islam – that the fruits of Creed and proper Belief are good character which calls a person to actualise their full potential and to materialise the goodness that is inside of the creation of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic.

So the subject – that this books delves into – is from the most important topics that a person can study in trying to progress religiously and refine himself religiously as the great Imam Ibnul-Qayyim discussed (at the end of ‘Madarij as-Salikeen’), about the reality of truly living and experiencing life in this world (which) is a result of three things, and each of these things builds upon what came before:

1. Knowledge about Allahs Religion – which brings life to the heart after its state of ignorance.
2. Ambition and Aspiration – that when a person learns about their religion, they become excited about it.
3. Refinement of Character – which comes about after knowledge and excitement.

About the Author

He is the prestigious Scholar the Imam, the Hafidh, Muhammad ibn Hibban ibn Ahmad ibn Hibban ibn Mu’adh ibn Ma’bad al-Hanthali at-Tamimi, al-Busti. He was born somewhere between the years 270-280 after the Hijrah of the Prophet (may the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) in Al-Bust, situated between Harrah and modern day Kabul, Afghanistan; he lived to the age of 80, having passed away in 354H.

He had over 2,000 shuyukh which he studied and memorised ahadeeth, from the far eastern military outpost of a non-Muslim land called Isbijab (which is as far east as one could go for the study of hadith of his time) all the way to Alexandria, Egypt (which is as far west as one could go for the study of hadith in his time). From the most notable of his shuyukh are:

1. Imam Muhammad ibn Uthman ibn Sa’id Ad-Darimi,
2. Imam An-Nasa’i,
3. Imam Ibn Khuzaimah.

And from amongst his vast number of students:

1. Al-Hakim An-Naisaburi,
2. Ibn Manda,
3. Abu Ali Mansur ibn Abdillah A-Harrawi.

About the Book

This tremendous book contains the qualities that are needed in order to be an example for one’s children, for one’s spouse, for one’s friends, to be an example for the Muslims and non-Muslims alike – to, in one’s character, embody what Islam is about; and to materialise, in one’s behaviour, the beauty of Islam.

The author starts of his authorship with: “It is clear and evident for the intelligent and sensible people that the times are always changing and in flux. People have emerged claiming mastery of intelligence and wisdom by using the opposite of what necessitates intelligence, such as the desires of the hearts and departing from the requirements of intelligence for apprehensions in their chests. They believed that the fundamentals of intelligence involved the problems of hypocrisy and flattery, and its branches that show up with their deputies; beautiful clothing and eloquent speech. And they claim that whoever governs these four things is the one who possesses intelligence and deserves to be followed, and whoever does not possess these traits is an imbecile and should be avoided.

So when I witnessed the scum of the earth bedazzling and misguiding with their actions, and the uncivilised people following their example, it led me to write a small book containing an elegant meaning that the intellectuals and the wise need these days, such as knowing the condition of their times, so as to be like a ticket for those of discernment when they are present and like a water spring for the people of understanding when they are absent, by which the scholar and the one who is heedful surpasses his contemporaries and comrades. It will be an honest confidant for the wise persil in private and an intimate protector in the open. By way of is, he will be favoured by his supporters and surpass his counterparts.

I clarify in this book that which will beautify for the wise person the practice of praiseworthy characteristics and make the practice of reprehensible characteristics seem ugly while intending to refrain and abstain from persistently increasing in these bad qualities, to lighten the load for the bearer and enlighten the ear of the listener. And because of the various narrations and verses of poetry that will be mentioned in this book, the one who strives to study each chapter in depth will wish that they would never end. And whoever refuses to reach completeness and success is, in reality, accepting inadequacy.”