Produced by Fritz Ohrenschall and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) The Wisdom of the East Series EDITED BY L. CRANMER-BYNG Dr. S. A. KAPADIA THE CONFESSIONS OF AL GHAZZALI “He who knows himself knows God.” SAYINGS OF MUHAMMED. WISDOM OF THE EAST THE CONFESSIONS OF AL GHAZZALI TRANSLATED FOR THE FIRST TIME INTO ENGLISH BY CLAUD FIELD, M.A. [Illustration] LONDON JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, W. 1909 PRINTED BY HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LD. LONDON AND AYLESBURY. CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION 7 Ghazzali’s Search for Truth 11 The Subterfuges of the Sophists 15 The Different Kinds of Seekers after Truth 20 The Aim of Scholastic Theology and its Results 21 Concerning the Philosophical Sects and the Stigma of Infidelity which attaches to them all 25 Divisions of the Philosophic Sciences 27 Sufism 41 The Reality of Inspiration: its Importance for the Human Race 50 EDITORIAL NOTE The object of the Editors of this series is a very definite one. They desire above all things that, in their humble way, these books shall be the ambassadors of good-will and understanding between East and West—the old world of Thought and the new of Action. In this endeavour, and in their own sphere, they are but followers of the highest example in the land. They are confident that a deeper knowledge of the great ideals and lofty philosophy of Oriental thought may help to a revival of that true spirit of Charity which neither despises nor fears the nations of another creed and colour. Finally, in thanking press and public for the very cordial reception given to the “Wisdom of the East” Series, they wish to state that no pains have been spared to secure the best specialists for the treatment of the various subjects at hand. L. CRANMER-BYNG. S. A. KAPADIA. NORTHBROOK SOCIETY, 185 PICCADILLY, W. INTRODUCTION BIRTH OF GHAZZALI