Al-Muhasibi: A Religious and Moralist Muslim Mystic, by Abd-al-Halim Mahmud , Héritage Editions

Abû 'Abd Allah al-Hârith Ibn Asad al-'Anazi , nicknamed al-Muhâsibî , that is to say "the one who exercises himself in the examination of conscience", was a personality who had, in the East, especially in Baghdad, a very important influence in the Muslim mystical spheres. He had a perfect knowledge of the Koran; he was learned in hadith, in theology, in Muslim law, and his knowledge of philosophy, although less profound than the others, was sufficient for him to defend his faith.

His knowledge has come down to us through the writings he left behind. For the religious history of his time and that of Muslim mysticism in particular, his fairly numerous works are of considerable value.

The Azharite scholar ' Abd al-Halîm Mahmûd , in his doctoral thesis defended at the Sorbonne in 1940, presents this mystic to us as he manifests himself through his writings, his words and his actions.