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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| review: Classical book: Refinement of conduct |
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| amatullah |
| 11/23/03 at 18:14:03 |
| Abu Ali Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Yaqub Miskawayh was born during the second quarter of the 4th century AH (10th century AD) in the province of Rayy and flourished in Isfahan at the court of Buwayhid rulers, and rose to prominence particularly during the reigns of Adud ad-Dawlah and Baha al-Dawlah. He died in Isfahan at a very old age in 421 AH (1030 AD). Initially Ibn MIskawayh devoted himself to philosophy, logic, alchemy and medicine, but then he turned to history, penmanship and literature. His voluminous work 'Kitan Tajarib al-Umam' (The book of experiences of nations) is a universal history down to the death of Adud al-Dawlah (928 AH/ 372 AD). It was noted for its comprehensive use of all available sources, and it greatly stimulated further development of Islamic histography. As a thinker, Ibn Miskawayh made the best of his contribution in ethics by authoring Kitab Tahdhib al Akhlaq (the Boook on the refinement of conduct). Islamic ethical literature is rich and varied, and this book occupies an important position in a particular branch of ethical literature. One stream of this literature belongs specifically to the religious and legal tradition and is based on the quran and the Prophet's precepts. The other is of a literary nature and is embodied in poems, sayings and fables, derives from the different traditions of the Muslim society, its aim being cultivation of adab in the broad sense and also refinement of manners. Another stream springs from the mystical attitude and experience. Still, another stream is philosophical in character and is historically related to the Greek philosophico-ethical tradition. In the earlier terminology this bracnh came to be specifically called Ilm al-Ahlaq (The science of ethics), and was reckoned as a part of alHikmat al-Amaliyah (Practical Philosophy). Ibn Miskawayh's work is a Tahdhib or a streamlining and reconstructuring of the traditional Ilm al-Akhlaq (the science of ethics) in light of Islamic precepts and ideals. As seen by George Sarton (History of Science, Vol I, p 687), Ibn Miskwayh's work is "the best specimen of Neo-Platonic ethics composed by a Muslim" (1) As explained by the author himself, the main objective of this work is to train the soul and min to procuse all good actions with ease and comfort. Such a training urges us to know our souls as to what they are, what is their nature, for what purpose they have been brought into being, and the extent of perfection and the faculties and innate habits they can achieve so that when we employ them properly, we can achieve success and high positions as Allah Himself may guide us. The book is divided into five parts. To begin with Ibn Muskwayh explains that the soul ia of a spiritual nature and therefore, as an independant and immortal entity it stands on a higher plane than the mutable substance of the body. Besides having desire, impulse and reason, the soul has four principal virtues: prudence or temperance, courage, wisdom and a combination of the three. The second part treats of man's natural disposition of habituatuon and education, and the rules of good breeding. The third part treats of the supreme good and happiness. It is most rewarding to live a moral and happy life in the community and the state. The fourth part deals with justice. In the fifth part the themes are love and friendship. The models of worship prescribed by Islam foster the sense of brotherhood and universal love of mankind. The concluding section discussess health and sickness of the soul. [Baloch, Great books of Islamic Civilisation, p 17-18, abridged] from email list |
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