Overall Meaning:
Introduction:

Praise and thanks are to Allah, the Knowing, the Supreme Creator. He favoured some people over others in provision and guided whomever He wishes to good morals - He knows best who is most deserving of it.

Blessings and greetings be upon our Prophet Muhammad the truthful, trustworthy, faithful to his covenant. He is sent as a deliverer of glad-tidings and a warner to all mankind, in all lands. He came to perfect all righteous morals, calling towards harmony, not separation. Likewise, blessings and greetings upon his family, companions, and followers. They have soft hearts, testifying to their Creator of His true divinity, in the morn and eve. They call to their Lord with their morals, forcing the hearts of the creation to humble in submissiveness. They open up the doors of goodness and firmly shut the doors of evil.To proceed:

The Encyclopedia of Ethics (Mawsu`at al-Akhlaq) has been previously published by the organisation in six volumes. Allah, exalted, has allowed many to reap its benefits. We believe it appropriate to create an abridged version that is fitting for all readers - both specialised students of sacred knowledge and the general masses. The abridgement is divided into two parts as the original was: a section dedicated to praiseworthy morals which one ought to adopt, and a section dedicated to blameworthy morals which one ought to avoid and be wary of. Each section is introduced with a linguistic and a technical definition of khuluq, as well as its boundaries and what distinguishes it. Then, differences between it and that which is other than it are identified and highlighted; then, if it is praiseworthy it is advocated for and enticed towards, and if it is blameworthy it is warned against and deterred from. Quranic verses are used as primary references as evidence. Then, it is the traditions and statements of the Master of Messengers ﷺ. Statements of the Righteous Predecessors and well-grounded scholars follow. The impact of the mannerism is then discussed as well as its benefits or harms. An elucidation of how the moral may manifest follows. Finally, relevant anecdotes, adages, proverbs, and poetry are given. Practical steps are also provided, and this is all related back to the sources whence it came. Whoever wishes further expansion should go back to the original encyclopedia.The methodology followed in the abridgement is as follows:
The sections for each of the praiseworthy and blameworthy morals are ordered alphabetically. Most of the subheadings for each of the mannerisms are used as they are in the Encyclopedia, though they are summarised and like subheadings are merged into one. Linguistic and technical definitions are summarised into direct definitions. Only direct evidences from the Qur’an, Sunnah, statements of the Predecessors, and poetry are used. Sometimes, only one evidence from each is used. Commentary on evidences has been removed in its different forms if the evidence is clear in its meaning. Commentary is available where clarification is necessary, and even then, abridgement was exercised when possible. One example is used from each type mentioned for each mannerism, though more than one may be given if there is a need for it. The most eloquent and appropriate poetry for the relevant context is mentioned. The impacts of the attribute in question are mentioned in brief, and the most important of them are discussed. Authentication and references of statements still remain in footnotes as they were in the original text, joining similar footnotes together when possible.


We ask our Protecting Guardian, exalted and majestic, to place within it benefit and acceptance.