Abū-Ḥāmid Muḥammad Ibn-Muḥammad al- Ġazzālī

Soendanesche Tekst, met inleiding en aanteekeningen von G. J. Grashuis

Zedeleer naar Abū Ḥāmid Muḥammad b. Muḥammad al- Ghazzali

Ghazzālī

Ghazzali

This is the first English translation of the last chapter of Al-Ghazali's Revival of the Religious Sciences (Ihya' 'Ulum al-Din), widely regarded as the greatest work of Muslim spirituality. After expounding his Sufi philosophy of death and showing the importance of the contemplation of human mortality to the mystical way of self-purification, Ghazali takes his readers through the stages of the future life: the vision of the Angels of the Grave, the Resurrection, the Intercession of the Prophet, and finally, the torments of Hell, the delights of Paradise and—for the elect—the beatific vision of God's Countenance.

The Remembrance of Death and the Afterlife

The spiritual life in Islam begins with riyadat al-nafs, the inner warfare against the ego. Distracted and polluted by worldliness, the lower self has a tendency to drag the human creature down into arrogance and vice. Only by a powerful effort of will can the sincere worshipper achieve the purity of soul which enables him to attain God's proximity. This translation of two chapters from The Revival of the Religious Sciences (Ihya' 'Ulum al-Din) details the sophisticated spiritual techniques adopted by classical Islam. In the first step, On Disciplining the Soul, which cites copious anecdotes from the Islamic scriptures and biographies of the saints, Ghazali explains how to acquire good character traits, and goes on to describe how the sickness of the heart may be cured. In the second part, Breaking the Two Desires, he focusses on the question of gluttony and sexual desire, concluding, in the words of the Prophet, that 'the best of all matters is the middle way'. The translator has added an introduction and notes which explore Ghazali's ability to make use of Greek as well as Islamic ethics. The work will prove of special interest to those interested in Sufi mysticism, comparative ethics, and the question of sexuality in Islam.

On Disciplining the Soul

Iḥyā' ʿūlūm ad-dīn

Abū Ḥāmid Muḥammad b. Muḥammad Ġazālī

H:ujjat al-Islâm abû H:âmid Muh:ammad Al-Ghazâlî

Madelain Farah

Islam considers marriage as the most intimate communion between man and woman. The mystery of sex finds it fulfilment when intimate spiritual harmony is combined with the physical link. Marriage and family laws are, therefore, an important part of Islamic law for the fulfilment of its ultimate objective of building a harmonious and peaceful human society. In his inimitable style, Imam al-Ghazali, may Allah be pleased with him, discusses this subject in this small book, and shows how Islam, despite differences in rules and marriage, sets out inviolable principles so that marriage is not distorted by godless understandings now threatening to dehumanise many a society of both the East and West. The Islamic code of marriage and family is second to none in importance in helping to lead a life of goodness and purity.

A Translation of Al-Ghazālī's Book on the Etiquette of Marriage from the Iḥyāʼ

Marriage and Sexuality in Islam

Book 9 of The Revival of the Religious Sciences ; Iḥyā' ʻulūm Al-dı̄n

Invocations & Supplications

Das Buch der Ehe

Abū-Ḥāmid Muḥammad Ibn-Muḥammad al- Ġazzālī

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