Discipline

This is a translation of a portion of Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi's (d. 689H) writing on the discipline required for spiritual growth, forming part of his broader work on purification of the soul. The book opens by describing the believer's life as one of continual struggle to cleanse the soul and direct it toward righteous action, then moves through the marvels of the heart, curing its sicknesses, and disciplining the self against unchecked desire. Later chapters address specific character flaws such as pride, malice, envy, and faults of the tongue, before closing with a discussion of the harms of greed, the love of wealth, showing off, and self-delusion. Written in the accessible, practical style typical of Ibn Qudamah, the book is suited to readers seeking a structured, classically grounded approach to self-reform and inner spiritual development.