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
We now give other “sayings” of Jesus, as Al-Ghazali himself does, in
somewhat confused order. Although not quotations or even misquotations
from the Gospels, they are of interest as completing the list and also
because they show what Al-Ghazali and other Moslems thought was the
teaching of Jesus the Prophet.
“Said Jesus (on him be peace), ‘How many a sound body and beautiful face
and eloquent tongue will to-morrow cry out in the fires of hell!’” (Vol.
IV, p. 383.)
“Said Jesus, ‘Which of you can build a house upon the waves of the sea?
Such is the world; therefore do not take it as an abiding place.’” (Vol.
III, p. 141.)
“They said to Jesus, ‘Teach us the secret of the love of God.’ He
replied: ‘Hate the world and God will love you.’” (Vol. III, p. 141; cf.
James 4: 4.)
“Said Jesus, ‘O my disciples, be satisfied with the least of the world
as long as your religion is at peace even as the people of the world
are satisfied with the least of religion and their possessions are at
peace.’” (Vol. III, p. 142.)
“Said Jesus, ‘O thou who seekest the world for the sake of pure gold, the
forsaking of the world is greater treasure.’” (Vol. III, p. 142.)
“They asked Jesus (on him be peace) which is the best of good works. He
replied: ‘To accept whatever God does with pleasure and to love him.’”
(Vol. IV, p. 258.)
“Said Jesus the Son of Mary (on him be peace), ‘Woe to the lover of this
world how soon he shall die and leave it and all that is in it. The world
deceives him and he trusts it and has confidence in it, etc.’” (Vol.
III, p. 141; cf. Luke 12: 21.)
“Said Jesus (on him be peace), ‘Mortify then your bodies that your soul
may see your Lord.’” (Vol. III, p. 56; cf. Rom. 8: 13.)
“Said Jesus (on him be peace), ‘The likeness of him who teaches good
works and does not do them is that of a woman who commits adultery in
secret and then the result of her crime becomes evident to all around her
from her condition.’” (Vol. I, p. 48.)
“Said Jesus (on him be peace), ‘Whosoever turns away a beggar from his
house the angels will not visit that dwelling for seven days.’” (Vol. II,
p. 162.) This saying is often quoted by Moslems to-day. They all believe
Jesus was the friend of the poor and needy.
“Said Jesus (upon him be peace), ‘Blessed is he to whom God has taught
his book; he will not die a proud oppressor.’” (Vol. III, p. 235.)
“Said Jesus (on him be peace), ‘Blessed is the eye which sleeps and
does not regard transgression but is wide-awake for that which is not
sinful.’” (Vol. IV, p. 260.)
“The disciples said to Jesus (on him be peace), ‘What is the best of good
works?’ He replied: ‘That which is done to God and in which you seek the
praise of no one else.’” (Vol. IV, p. 273.)