Spiritual Mysteries and Ethical Secrets: A Translation of al-Haqa’iq fi Mahasin al-Akhlaq

Since its completion in the seventeenth century, this book has been lauded as a valuable textbook on Islamic spirituality and ethics as well as a spiritually enlightening read. This groundbreaking translation brings to light how Mulla Muhsin Fayd Kashani engages with the Sunni Sufi tradition – particularly the ideas of al-Ghazzālī – for the benefit of a Shiʿi audience. In addition to presenting the inner mysteries of Islamic ritual practices, Kashani also explains the nature of the human character and how to cultivate, balance, and eliminate various traits. The work answers many common questions among Muslims such as what is the deeper meaning of fasting, or how to concentrate in prayer.

Fayd Kashani centres his discussion on verses of the Qurʾan and hadith from the Prophet Muhammad and the twelve Imams. The Arabic text of the narrations has been included for the reader’s convenience.