The purpose of this study is to examine the life
and works of Abu-Talib al-Makkx, one of the greatest
sufi writers of the fourth Islamic century, with special
attention being paid to his mystical doctrine, as
expounded in his chief work entitled "Qut al-Qulub fx
mu'amalat al-mahbtib" .The thesis is divided into two parts. The first part,
which constitutes the first chapter, deals with the
biography of al-Makkx and examines the characteristic
traits of his thoughts and personality.In the second part, which constitutes four chapters,
the mystical doctrine of al-Makkx is studied under the
broad based divisions of: The religious life (ch. Ii),
the mystical doctrine (ch. Ill), the mystical life (ch. IV),
the mystic path (ch. V).In analysing al-Makkx's mystical doctrine, detailed
studies are made in relation to his concept of religious
life as a preliminary basis for the higher mystical life,
and his concept of mystical life with special reference to
his concept of the heart, science of the heart, theory of
knowledge, gnosis, and finally his concept of the
mystical states and stations.This thesis shows the contribution made by al-Makkx,
to the formulation of sufi theory and practice, during the
most significant period of sufism, namely the period of
formulation, systematisation, and documentation