Merits of the Plague

Six hundred years ago, Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani - an esteemed Islamic scholar and poet - survived the bubonic plague, which took the lives of three of his children, as well as millions of others throughout the medieval world. Holding up an eerie mirror to our own time, al-Asqalani reflects on the origins of plagues, from those of the Prophet Muhammad's era to the Black Death of his own.

Weaving together accounts of evil jinn, religious stories, medical manuals, poetry, and the author's personal experiences, Merits of the Plague is a profound reminder that with tragedy comes one of the noblest expressions of our humanity: the practice of compassion, patience and care for those around us.

Reviews

“This is the first English-language edition of his work, deservedly bringing it to a wide new audience. . . . Having lost three of his daughters to the Black Death, [Ibn Hajar] reflects with empathy and grief on examples of plagues from the time of the Prophet Muhammad to his own. . . . At a time when many ruins of the coronavirus pandemic are yet to be rebuilt, Merits of the Plague helps us to place our experience of the disease in a longer arc of history.” —The Times Literary Supplement

“An outstanding translation that brings Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani’s work to life for a modern audience . . . Merits of the Plague not only provides a fascinating historical account but also prompts reflection on our contemporary challenges.” —Islamic Insight

“Remarkable . . . A landmark work of history and religious thought . . . Surprisingly modern and has a lot to say to us in the era of coronavirus.” —History Unplugged Podcast

“A valuable addition to our understanding of the pandemic and how people reacted to it . . . This book offers a much-needed perspective from the Islamic world.” —Medievalists.net

“A unique, non-Western medieval perspective on the Black Death and pandemics in general.” —Jara News