A Descriptive and Statistical Study of Literary Books: A Case Study of "Adab al-Tālib wa Muntahā al-Adab" by Imam al-Shawkānī

دراسة وصفية إحصائية لكتب الأدب إليك دراسة وصفية وإحصائية تقريبية لكتاب "أدب الطلب ومنتهى الأدب" مؤلف الإمام محمد بن علي الشوكاني (المتوفى 1250هـ)، بتحقيق عبد الله السريحي ونشر دار ابن حزم – بيروت (1998م)

Abstract

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This study presents a descriptive and statistical analysis of the classical Arabic book Adab al-Tālib wa Muntahā al-Adab authored by Imam Muḥammad ibn ʿAlī al-Shawkānī. The book, first published by Dār Ibn Ḥazm in 1998 (1419 AH), comprises 191 pages and offers a rich compilation of ethical, educational, and jurisprudential insights, grounded in prophetic traditions and classical Islamic teachings. The study examines the book’s structural, linguistic, and thematic features, focusing on the proportions of textual content, repetition, and legal-ethical citations.

            Qualitatively, the book belongs to the genres of Islamic manners (ādāb), supplications (adhkār), and spiritual refinement (raqāʾiq), intended for students, educators, and readers within Islamic educational institutions. The language is classical Arabic with a didactic and repetitive style designed to emphasize moral conduct. Statistically, the analysis shows that approximately 65% of the content is made up of ḥadīth and traditional reports (āthār), while 35% consists of educational commentary and interpretive discussions. Repetition accounts for nearly 10–15% of the material, reinforcing key principles. This study concludes that the work plays a vital role in preserving traditional Islamic educational values and serves as a pedagogical model in both formal and informal religious settings.