Al-Mukhtaar min Manaaqib al-Akhyaar - Ibn al-Athir (606H)

A book of biographies aimed at illustrating the virtues of the early generations of Islam, highlighting their asceticism, piety, devotion, worship, reverence for the Sharia, patience, and adoption of the morals of the prophets, along with their narrations related to self-purification. It was authored by the esteemed scholar Ibn al-Athir, the great linguist and hadith scholar, known for his book "Jami' al-Usul" and "Al-Nihaya fi Gharib al-Hadith." He is the brother of the historian Ibn al-Athir, the author of "Al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh."

The book primarily relies on "Hilyat al-Awliya" and also selects from "Sifat as-Safwa" and other books concerning asceticism and heart-softening narrations. It includes biographies of the Companions, the Tabi'un, and those who followed them. The book is arranged alphabetically by letters, and each letter is divided into three sections: one for the Companions, another for the Tabi'un, and a third for those who are unknown or known by their kunya. Each biography includes the individual's state of asceticism and worship, followed by their sayings in this field.

This new edition relies on three recently discovered manuscripts in addition to three older ones, allowing the editors to review errors, fill gaps, and provide a good update of the book. The edition consists of six volumes, the last of which is for the indexes.