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Library of Arabic Literature
A Treasury of Virtues: Sayings, Sermons, and Teachings of Ali, with the One Hundred Proverbs, attributed to al-Jahiz
A Treasury of Virtues is a collection by the Fatimid Shafi'i judge al-Quda'i (d. 454 H/1062 AD) of sayings, sermons, and teachings attributed to 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (d. 40 H/661 AD). 'Ali was the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, the first Shia Imam and the fourth Sunni Caliph. An acknowledged master of Arabic eloquence and a sage of Islamic wisdom, Ali was renowned for his words, which were collected, quoted, and studied over the centuries, and extensively anthologized, excerpted, and interpreted.
Of the many compilations of 'Ali's words, A Treasury of Virtues arguably possesses the broadest compass of genres, and the largest variety of themes. Included are aphorisms, proverbs, sermons, speeches, homilies, prayers, letters, dialogues and verse, all of which provide instruction on how to be a morally upstanding human being. The shorter compilation included here, One Hundred Proverbs, is attributed to the eminent writer al-Jahiz (d. 255 H/869 AD). This volume presents a new critical edition of the Arabic based on several original manuscripts, the first English translation of both these important collections, and an extended introduction.
Of the many compilations of 'Ali's words, A Treasury of Virtues arguably possesses the broadest compass of genres, and the largest variety of themes. Included are aphorisms, proverbs, sermons, speeches, homilies, prayers, letters, dialogues and verse, all of which provide instruction on how to be a morally upstanding human being. The shorter compilation included here, One Hundred Proverbs, is attributed to the eminent writer al-Jahiz (d. 255 H/869 AD). This volume presents a new critical edition of the Arabic based on several original manuscripts, the first English translation of both these important collections, and an extended introduction.
- GenresIslamReligionPhilosophy
306 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2013
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About the author
Al-Qadi al-Qudaʿi
3 books1 followerAl-Qadi al-Qudaʿi (d. 454 H/1062 AD) was a Sunni jurist, a scholar of hadith and history, and a senior government official of the Fatimid dynasty in Cairo.
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August 12, 2017More required reading for a course on Islam. This collection has more passion and artistry than the similar Light in the Heavens: Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad by the same compiler.
January 8, 2016
'Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib (d.40/661), the forth rightly guided caliph and son in-law of the Prophet Muhammad (ṣallā Allāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) was a renowned sage of Islamic wisdom. The insight and knowledge he possessed was astounding. The sayings and sermons contained within this work are an astute window to the dangers of this world. The acumen of `Alī captivates you with such eloquence that it leaves you reflecting over his words. As Dirār ibn Damrah al-Sudāʿī al-Nahshalī, the close companion of 'Alī described him, "Wisdom spoke upon his tongue."
Tahera Qutbuddin has done a wonderful job in translating this work in to English. It couldn't have been easy to mimic idioms, allegories and maxims from the original Arabic in to English. I wouldn't know if the deeper meaning of the sayings has been lost in the English but the translator makes mention that a lot of effort has gone in to conveying the spirit of what is being said in Arabic. I had no issues but for those that are interested, the original Arabic is presented parallel to the English translation.
The work is largely made up of the translation of "A Compendium of Signposts of Wisdom and Documentation of Qualities of Virtue from the Words of the Commander of the Faithful 'Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib" by al-Qāḍī al-Qudāʿī (d. 454/1062) who was a Sunni-Shāfiʿī jurist, and a scholar of hadith and history living under the rule of the Shīʿah Fatimids in Egypt. He was made judge over the Sunni subjects in Cairo where he lived and died. He wrote this work due to the success of his earlier work which was in the same vein but about the Prophet Muhammad (ṣallā Allāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) entitled, "The Blazing Star". A friend then encouraged him to compile a similar collection with regard to the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad (ṣallā Allāhu ʿalayhi wasallam), 'Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib to which he complied. In addition to this work, a shorter work "One Hundred Proverbs" has also been presented. It is attributed to the famous Muʿtazilah Arabic literary figure, Abū `Uthman `Amr ibn Baḥr al-Jāhiz (d. 255/869). It consists of thirty-five pages, while "A Treasury of Virtues" by al-Qudāʿī is made up of one hundred and ninety-six pages including the Arabic original. The larger work, "A Treasury of Virtues" has been split in to ten chapters:
A Treasury of Virtues
Wise Sayings
Censure of this World and Exhortations to Reject Worldliness
Counsel
Prescriptions and Proscriptions
'Alī's Questions with Answers, and 'Alī's Answers to Questions
Sayings with Unusual Words
Unique Sayings and Pithy Words
Prayers and Supplications
Verse
I highly recommend you purchase this book. The sayings, sermons and counsels of 'Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib contained in this work are ethical and humanitarian. They are in relation to humankind, encouraging virtues such as honesty, sincerity and moderation as well as warning against such vices as greed, oppression and stinginess. They also contain supplications to God, to worship Him, censures of this world, warnings of the transitory nature of human life and preparation for the hereafter. You will be moved by his words. He was an ocean of knowledge and wisdom and thankfully some of that wisdom has been captured for all to read. You will find advice and life lessons in his wise words throughout this work, "Whoever delights in his own opinion will go astray; whoever suffices himself with his own knowledge will slip; and whoever is too arrogant to ask others for advice will be humbled." 'Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib, the Commander of the Believers, may Allah be pleased with him.
Tahera Qutbuddin has done a wonderful job in translating this work in to English. It couldn't have been easy to mimic idioms, allegories and maxims from the original Arabic in to English. I wouldn't know if the deeper meaning of the sayings has been lost in the English but the translator makes mention that a lot of effort has gone in to conveying the spirit of what is being said in Arabic. I had no issues but for those that are interested, the original Arabic is presented parallel to the English translation.
The work is largely made up of the translation of "A Compendium of Signposts of Wisdom and Documentation of Qualities of Virtue from the Words of the Commander of the Faithful 'Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib" by al-Qāḍī al-Qudāʿī (d. 454/1062) who was a Sunni-Shāfiʿī jurist, and a scholar of hadith and history living under the rule of the Shīʿah Fatimids in Egypt. He was made judge over the Sunni subjects in Cairo where he lived and died. He wrote this work due to the success of his earlier work which was in the same vein but about the Prophet Muhammad (ṣallā Allāhu ʿalayhi wasallam) entitled, "The Blazing Star". A friend then encouraged him to compile a similar collection with regard to the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad (ṣallā Allāhu ʿalayhi wasallam), 'Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib to which he complied. In addition to this work, a shorter work "One Hundred Proverbs" has also been presented. It is attributed to the famous Muʿtazilah Arabic literary figure, Abū `Uthman `Amr ibn Baḥr al-Jāhiz (d. 255/869). It consists of thirty-five pages, while "A Treasury of Virtues" by al-Qudāʿī is made up of one hundred and ninety-six pages including the Arabic original. The larger work, "A Treasury of Virtues" has been split in to ten chapters:
A Treasury of Virtues
Wise Sayings
Censure of this World and Exhortations to Reject Worldliness
Counsel
Prescriptions and Proscriptions
'Alī's Questions with Answers, and 'Alī's Answers to Questions
Sayings with Unusual Words
Unique Sayings and Pithy Words
Prayers and Supplications
Verse
I highly recommend you purchase this book. The sayings, sermons and counsels of 'Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib contained in this work are ethical and humanitarian. They are in relation to humankind, encouraging virtues such as honesty, sincerity and moderation as well as warning against such vices as greed, oppression and stinginess. They also contain supplications to God, to worship Him, censures of this world, warnings of the transitory nature of human life and preparation for the hereafter. You will be moved by his words. He was an ocean of knowledge and wisdom and thankfully some of that wisdom has been captured for all to read. You will find advice and life lessons in his wise words throughout this work, "Whoever delights in his own opinion will go astray; whoever suffices himself with his own knowledge will slip; and whoever is too arrogant to ask others for advice will be humbled." 'Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib, the Commander of the Believers, may Allah be pleased with him.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews