Description
Imam ibn al-Jawzi mentions that he read Al-Asbahani's inspiring book 'Al-Hilyat al-Awliya' and decided to pen an abridgement of it. He amended aspects he considered to be unnecessary, for example, removing the chains of transmission to reduce length of narrations as well as omitting reports he considered to be specious; and in this manner his own distinguished 'Sifat al-Safwah' came to be. It is a book comprising stories and accomplishments of some of the greatest personalities of Islamic history.
The second volume begins with the noble wives of the Prophet peace and blessing be upon him and some of the outstanding female Companions. The author further expands this section of his book to group exceptional people residing in the cities of Madinah and Makkah, including the generation of Muslims that came after the Messenger of Allah peace and blessings be upon him and his Companions. The volume includes over two hundred and fifty towering figures of Islam from Yemen to Hijaz, from Damascus to Baghdad and surrounding regions known for their knowledge, piety, courage, sacrifice and immense scholarship.
