Die Nahrung der Herzen: Abu Talib al-Makkis Qut al-qulub, vol. 4, Bibliography and Indices.

• Author: Bowering, Gerhard

By RICHARD GRAMLICH. Freiburger Islamstudien, vol. 41.4. Stuttgart: FRANZ STEINER VERLAG, 1995. Pp. 268. DM 164.

The third volume of Richard Gramlich's excellent and meticulous translation of the Qut al-qulub brings his German rendition of Aba Talib al-Makki's encyclopaedia of Islamic religiosity to a conclusion. Representing chapters 33 to 48 of the work, this volume includes mainly the ritual and practical guidelines of Makki's handbook. In chapter 35, on faith and works in Islam, Makki takes a general stand against the Murji a, Karramiyya, and Ibadiyya without, however, refuting any of their teachings in great detail. Chapter 36 includes reflections on the proper conduct of Muslims according to the Sunna, and chapters 37-38 discuss the themes of sinful action and purity of intention. Two appendixes, the contents of which are copied largely from Ibn Qutayba's Uyan al-ahbar, are added to chapters 39 and 40. The somewhat haplessly organized chapters 41-47 deal with the merits of poverty, the rules for travel, the prerequisites for leading the ritual prayer, the Sufi rules for life in community, the guidelines for married life, the etiquette required in visiting bathhouses, and the standards to be observed in commercial interaction. In the last chapter Makki distinguishes the...