ABSTRACT
A cursory reading of the entries in the Kitiib al-zuhd illustrates that Ibn l:Ianbal's main intention was to tell the history of human piety. He blends the main events of humankind's sacred histo~ such as Adam's expulsion from the Garden of Eden,4 IbrahIm's sacrifice of Isl).aq,5 the miracles ofJesus,6 and future events of the Resurrection,7 with edifying anecdotes about these prophets' devotion or pious world-views. Criticism of the world and its material temptations can be found throughout the book: Adam's pain when he is driven out of Paradise and into a world in which he will toil and be confronted by material
needs,8 IbrahIm's description of death as the end of earthly trials,9 and Jesus' instructions that human beings should prefer deeds of the next world to those of this. 10
This criticism of worldly matters was carried into the Islamic period. 'Vmar b. al-Khattab (d. 23) is quoted as preaching against greed since it inevitably is transformed into poverty. II A vivid anecdote relates that as he passed by a pile of garbage he told those accompanying him 'This is your world (dunytikum) to which you aspire.'12 Other Successors come out explicitly against specific worldly distractions that might steer them away from the path of piety. Tawus b. Kaysan (d. 106) begs Allah to deny him money and children. 13 He also refuses the AmIr al-Mu'minIn's financial support. I4 Once we enter upon the Islamic epoch, a new expression of piety appears - zealous performance of devotional acts. For example it is told of Sa'Id b. Jubayr (d. 95) that he recited the Qur'an every two nights and performed the ~ajj and 'umra numerous times in his life.
