On Disciplining the Soul

On Disciplining the Soul PDF Author: Ghazzālī
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 384

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Book Description
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

On Disciplining the Soul PDF Author: Ghazzālī
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 384

Get Book Here

Book Description
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.

Al-Ghazzali on Knowing Yourself and God

Al-Ghazzali on Knowing Yourself and God PDF Author: Ghazzālī
Publisher: Kazi Publications
ISBN: 9781567446814
Category : Islam
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
General Description: In al-Ghazzali's view, everything begins by knowing who you are. He says that you should know that you are born with an outer form and an inner essence and it is that inner essence or the spiritual heart that you have to come to know in order to know who you are.

Al-Ghazālī on Condemnation of Pride and Self-admiration

Al-Ghazālī on Condemnation of Pride and Self-admiration PDF Author: Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781911141129
Category : Islamic ethics
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The Condemnation of Pride and Self-Admiration is the first translation into a European language of chapter twenty-nine of The Revival of the Religious Sciences, a monumental work of classical Islam written by the greatest theologian-mystic of Islam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (d. 1111). Perhaps the most important chapter in the whole of the Revival, The Condemnation of Pride and Self-Admiration delves into the fundamental spiritual ailments and major impediments of the soul, namely pride and self-admiration. Ghazali offers readers an in-depth analysis of how and why pride and self-admiration are so harmful to a person's soul, and oulines methods of recognizing and subsequently healing these diseases of the heart. The key ingredient in this cure, Ghazali explains, is the cultivation of humility, which results from an increasing awareness of one's lowliness and essential nothingness before God. An indepth and very lucid analysis of the major vices and virtues central to all religions.

Patience and Thankfulness

Patience and Thankfulness PDF Author: Abu Hamid Muhammad Al-Ghazali
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781903682647
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 279

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Book Description
The Book of Patience and Thankfulness is the thirty-second chapter of The Revival of the Religious Sciences which is widely regarded as the greatest work of Islamic spirituality. Written by one of the most famous theologian-mystics of all time, The Book of Patience and Thankfulness discusses two of the virtues of the religious and spiritual life that are of universal interest. --

On Vigilance & Self-examination

On Vigilance & Self-examination PDF Author: Ghazzālī
Publisher: Islamic Texts Society's al-Ghazali Series
ISBN: 9781903682333
Category : Conscience, Examination of
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The 38th chapter of the Revival of the Religious Sciences, this treatise follows on from Al-Ghazali on Intention, Sincerity & Truthfulness. Here, Ghazali focuses on the different stations of steadfastness in religion (murabaha), vigilance and self-examination being its cornerstones. As in all his writings, Ghazali bases his arguments on the Qur'an, the example of the Prophet, and the sayings of numerous scholars and Sufis. As relevant today as it was in the 11th century, this discourse will be of interest to anyone concerned with ethics and moral philosophy.

Al-Ghazālī on the Manners Relating to Eating

Al-Ghazālī on the Manners Relating to Eating PDF Author: Ghazzālī
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Dinners and dining
Languages : en
Pages : 100

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Book Description
The eleventh chapter of The Revival of the Religious Sciences begins the section dealing with man and society. In this volume concentrating on the manners relating to eating, Ghazali first discusses what a person must uphold when eating by himself: that the food is lawful, that both the person and the surroundings should be clean, that one must be content with what is available, and how the person should conduct himself while eating and after eating. Ghazali then proceeds to discuss eating in company and says that to all the above should be added the necessity of courtesy, conversation and the proper presentation of food. Finally, Ghazali expounds the virtues of hospitality and generosity and the conduct of the host as well as that of the guest. Other topics that are discussed are: abstention from food, fasting and general health.

Love, Longing, Intimacy and Contentment

Love, Longing, Intimacy and Contentment PDF Author: Ghazzālī
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781903682272
Category : God (Islam)
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
"This is the first complete English translation of the Book of Love, Longing, Intimacy and Contentment, the thirty-sixth chapter of Abū Hāmid al-Ghazālī's monomuntal Revival of the Religious Sciences ... The Book of Love ... is of fundamental importance in the history of Islamic thought and in the development of Sufism."--P. [4] of cover.

Al-Ghazālī on the Lawful & the Unlawful

Al-Ghazālī on the Lawful & the Unlawful PDF Author: Ghazzālī
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781903682241
Category : Islam
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Al-Ghazali's Book of the Lawful and the Unlawful is the fourteenth chapter of The Revival of the Religious Sciences, which is widely considered as the greatest work of Islamic spirituality. Written by one of the most famous of theologian-mystics of all time, The Book of the Lawful and the Unlawful is unlike other Islamic works concerned with legal issues. Here, Abu Hamid al-Ghazali aims to teach his readers firstly the theory of what is lawful and what is unlawful and how to deal with dubious or ambiguous issues, and secondly how to apply the knowledge they have gained to their everyday lives. The main support for this application, especially in matters that are unclear, is caution or prudence (wara) and Ghazali explains the degrees of prudence necessary beginning with the prudence of the upright and ending with the prudence of the saintly. Thus the sincere practice of what is lawful and desisting from what is unlawful become integrated into one's spiritual life. As in his other works, Ghazali bases himself on the Qur'an and narrations from the Prophet Muhammad, followed by examples from the Companions, the Successor generations and the pious Predecessors.

Al-Ghazzali on Listening to Music

Al-Ghazzali on Listening to Music PDF Author: Ghazzālī
Publisher: Kazi Publications
ISBN: 9781567446906
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
General Description: Al-Ghazzali discusses the difficult issues involved in listening to music and attaining ecstasy through topics like what is unlawful and what is lawful, where listening to music is unlawful, the effects of music and its rules of conduct and the rules of conduct of the whirling dance.

Al-Ghazali on Poverty and Abstinence

Al-Ghazali on Poverty and Abstinence PDF Author:
Publisher: Islamic Texts Society
ISBN: 9780946621750
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 145

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Book Description
The Book of Poverty and Abstinence is the thirty-fourth chapter of The Revival of the Religions Sciences. It falls in the section dealing with the virtues. Ghazali gives definitions of what real poverty and abstinence should be and how the poor should conduct themselves. He goes on to describe poverty that has no virtue and which is based on greed and love of the world. For Ghazali, the virtues of real poverty and abstinence are closely linked with patience, contentment, lack of worldliness, asceticism, trust and surrender to God.