Manqabad

A manqabad (Arabic: منقبة, plural مناقب, manāqib) is a literary genre, primarily in Islamic cultures, that recounts the virtues, merits, and praiseworthy acts of a historical or religious figure. The term often refers to works celebrating the qualities of the Prophet Muhammad, his family (Ahl al-Bayt), his companions (Sahaba), or Sufi saints (Auliya). Manāqib literature aims to inspire devotion and provide moral guidance by presenting idealized narratives of exemplary individuals.

Manāqib often include stories of miracles (karamat), exceptional character traits, divine blessings, and spiritual insights. These accounts are intended not just to document historical events, but also to cultivate a strong connection between the reader or listener and the subject of the manqabad. Recitation and reading of manāqib form part of devotional practices in many Islamic communities, particularly amongst Sufi orders.

The genre varies in form, ranging from biographical accounts to collections of anecdotes and poetry. The authenticity and historical accuracy of specific events described in manāqib can be a subject of scholarly debate, as the primary purpose of these works is often spiritual and devotional, rather than strictly historical. The importance lies in the symbolic representation of virtue and the encouragement of emulation of the described qualities. Different Islamic traditions and denominations have their own distinct manāqib literature, focusing on figures deemed significant within their particular interpretive framework. The term can also sometimes be used in a more general sense to describe a list of someone's good qualities, even outside of a formal literary work.