A Review of Two Important Books on Practical Mysticism (Mystical Ethics)

Without doubt, ethical and mystical issues play an important role in interrelationships between the realm of religious teachings and the other fields of knowledge. Moreover, ethical and mystical discussions play a special role in the purity and happiness of human soul. Therefore, throughout history, Muslim mystics and those following divine ethics have embarked on writing works on teaching the wayfarers the ways of purification and strengthening of soul as well as the ways of reforming and promoting soul along the way stations. In this regard, the book "Manazel al-Sa’erin” by Khajeh Abdullah Ansari and the book "Osaf al-Ashraf” by Khajeh Nasir al-din Tusi have special features that distinguish them from the other writings. Thus, the present paper seeks to analyze these two important books on practical mystical theosophy and mystical ethics. It firstly addresses the features of the two authors, then discusses the merits of the two compilations and finally assesses their weaknesses and strengths.