A Moslem seeker after God : $b showing Islam at its best in the life and teaching of al-Ghazali, mystic and theologian of the eleventh century — Al-Ghazali — John Shaqi
A Moslem seeker after God : $b showing Islam at its best in the life and teaching of al-Ghazali, mystic and theologian of the eleventh century
Al-Ghazali · en
Being a Moslem, Al-Ghazali was either too proud to search for the true
historical facts of the Christian religion, or perhaps it would be more
charitable to say that he had no adequate opportunity, in spite of his
quotations and misquotations from the “Gospels.” Otherwise he could
have found there what would have met his heart-hunger and satisfied his
soul—the manifestation of God not in some intangible principle, but in a
living person, in Jesus Christ, who “is the image of the invisible God,
the first born of every creature. For by Him were all things created that
are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether
they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; in Him are
all things, and by Him all things consist.” (Colossians 1: 15-17.) Those
who dwell in Christ and in whom He dwells are a part of His spiritual
body. They are the branches of the living Vine. They are one in life and
purpose, although they remain conscious evermore of their own individual
existence; they are fitted progressively for a deeper communion with God.
To such a conception the Sufi never attained. Al-Ghazali admits that no
man has seen God at any time, but he failed to realize that “the Only
Begotten, Who is in the bosom of the Father, hath declared Him.” The
artificial glory of Mohammed in his case, as for centuries afterwards,
hid the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus
Christ. Yet not altogether, as the next chapter will make clear.
IX
Jesus Christ in Al-Ghazali
Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.
Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find,
A sweeter sound than Thy blest name,
O Saviour of mankind!
O hope of every contrite heart!
O joy of all the meek!
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!
But what to those who find? Ah! this
Nor tongue nor pen can show:
The love of Jesus—what it is
None but His loved ones know.
—_Bernard of Clairvaux—almost
a contemporary (1091-1152)._
IX
JESUS CHRIST IN AL-GHAZALI