The pious predecessors are the men who best understood and applied the religion. Anxious to accomplish any deed of good, many of them forsook of this lower world what would be useless to them for the hereafter. This asceticism enabled them to achieve a great closeness to the lord. Ignored or misunderstood, neglected or misapplied, this great principle of Islam has given rise to more than one book. Al-Bayhaqî wrote a must. He has compiled the best quotes and the most beautiful stories. Here it is in your hands.