The Garden of the Wise and the Excursion of the Virtuous by Ibn Hibban

Forward the Hafiz Abu Hatim Muhammad ibn Hibban al-Busti comments on it Tarik ibn Abdul Wahid ibn Alim introduction by virtue of Sheikh Abu Muhammad Abdul Rahman Foda may Allah preserve him in the name of the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate introduction by virtue of Sheikh: Abu Muhammad Abdul Rahman Foda - may Allah protect him - praise be to Allah who created man and taught him expression, and blessed him with the blessing of intellect so he distinguished him from the animal so he praised in His wise Book the people of understanding: "Indeed, in that is a reminder for those of understanding" [Az-Zumar 21], "Indeed, in that are signs for a people who reflect" [Ar-Ra'd 3], and he addressed those who do not understand. And prayers and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and his family and noble companions. And after: what makes a Muslim happy and pleased is that he belongs to the nation of Islam; this great generous giving nation from the mission of the Prophet to Allah and until Allah inherits the earth and those on it, and what distinguishes this nation is that it is a nation of knowledge, and the first revelation from the Book of Allah on the heart of the beloved Muhammad, peace be upon him, was His saying: "Read in the name of your Lord who created" [Al-‘Alaq], which urges knowledge, seeking it, and its virtue, and it responded as the verses continued, from the Muslim generations - since the time of the noble companions, may Allah be pleased with them all - to this day, racing in seeking and spreading knowledge throughout the world, and the sciences in which the scholars of the nation excelled, and distinguished themselves in, ranged from interpretation of the Book of Allah, to collecting the hadith of the Prophet, explaining it, deepening in jurisprudence of the Book and the Sunnah, and other sciences; among which were what is called "Mulaḥ and Munathurat," and literature - prose and poetry - which often are the manners of the refined, and a means of relaxation for Muslims. Perhaps the most important among the writings in this regard is what Imam Ibn al-Jawzi presented in "Said al-Khatir," and "Akhbar al-Adhkiyaa" - among others, but he was preceded by what the Hafiz Abu Hatim Muhammad ibn Hibban al-Busti, who died in 354 AH, presented in his wonderful book "Rawdat al-‘Aqlā’ wa Nuzhat al-Fuḍalā’" which came in a simple and enjoyable style, neither lengthy nor overly brief, and included what can be considered as the experiences of the wise and their famous sayings, and their scattered pearls, which we should take as a guide to light our way in the darkness of misguided passions, and the seditions that have become like the dark night; a relief and comfort for the soul, and insight into a bitter reality that the nation lives. This book - "Rawdat al-‘Aqlā’ wa Nuzhat al-Fuḍalā’" - has been printed in many editions, some of which I have seen, and found them full of printing errors and many omissions that disrupt the flow of the text and diminish its benefit, and generally most of them appeared in a poor form; except for one edition - which the careful person who has this copy in hand pointed out - and therefore many readers did not pay much attention to this book, and the hoped benefit was not achieved from it; so this edition is presented by the noble brother Abu Shuaib Tarik ibn Abdul Wahid - may Allah preserve him and guide his steps on the path of goodness and truth. I have reviewed the efforts of brother "Tarik" in this book and other books he has served, whether through care, editing, summarizing, or authorship, and I found him to have fulfilled the purpose. So, I believe this edition is sound and pure, and it has come in a fine appearance and a splendid dress, as he carefully checked the text, clarified obscure meanings, and thoroughly extracted the hadiths. With this, he has brought the book closer to the readers, refined it for them, and made it beloved to them. May Allah reward him with goodness for what he has presented, and I ask Allah for acceptance, benefit, and guidance for his book and for all servants; indeed, He - blessed and exalted be He - is the Protector and the Capable of that. And written by Abdul Rahman Ibrahim Foda, teacher of rhetoric and criticism at the College of Dar al-Ulum, Cairo University. 25th of Safar, 1431 AH. Conclusion: Rawdat al-‘Aqlā’ wa Nuzhat al-Fuḍalā’ Abu Hatim said: We have mentioned a little of many effects, and a small amount of the serious news - in this book - hoping that the seeker of the path of the wise, and the one who follows the way of the people of insight, will find in it richness - if he ponders it and uses it. And although we have avoided the paths of the narrators, and the extraction of stories and poetry, except what we found necessary to present, such as indicating something indirectly, and pointing to the intention. May Allah make us among those whom the good tidings of success have called to realize the truths; to be able to attain His mercy and seek to reach the station of His friends. It is the ultimate goal for the believers, and the bestower upon His allies the ranks of the close ones. And may Allah send blessings upon Muhammad, the seal of the prophets, and upon his pure and good family, and grant abundant peace and blessings. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. The original copy contained the following inscription: It was completed from its copy - by Allah’s help and mercy - by the humble servant to His Lord: Ahmed ibn Muhammad ibn Salim ibn Jinab al-Muniji in "Al-Ruha al-Mahrousa," on Tuesday, the 11th of Muharram, 828 AH. May Allah seal it for him with goodness, and for his parents, and all Muslims.