تهذيب الأخلاق عند يحيى بن عدي والراغب الأصفهاني : دراسة مقارنة

Abstract

This study deals with the topic of refinement of characters through a comparative study which aims to discover the thought of two prominent scholars from different religion; Yaḥyā Ibn ʿAdī who represented as Christian scholar and Al-Rāghib Al-Iṣfahānī who represented as Muslim scholar. The study attempts to unveil the definition of characters, the causes of its emergence whether it is good or bad, possibility to change and the way to refine those characters according to them. It also aims to reveal the influences of foreign cultures on both of these scholars. To achieve these objectives, this study employs qualitative methodology including textual analysis to explore their through the book of Ibn ʿAdī “Tahdhi>b al-Akhla>q” and the book of Al-Iṣfahānī namely “Al-Dharīʿah Ilā Makārim al-Sharīʿah” and “Tafs}i>l al-Nash’atayn wa Taḥṣīl al-Sa’a>datayn” and other books related to the issue. The critical analysis is also used to criticize the issue presented by scholars in their books as well as comparative analysis to compare the main issue related to the refinement of characters. The findings show that the characters according to Yaḥyā Ibn ʿAdī and Al-Rāghib Al-Iṣfahānī are subject to change and therefore it can be refined. It also reveals that there are three kinds of soul possessed by human being, they are the source of good or bad characters; the rational soul (al-nafs al-na>ṭiqah), the irascible soul (al-nafs al-ghad}abiyyah), and the concupiscent soul (al-nafs al-shahwiyyah). The study also finds that there is influence of foreign cultures in the thought of Yaḥyā and Al-Iṣfahānī. Both scholars have also exerted influence on some of their disciples and thinkers, especially in the field of ethics.