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
The first part of the original work is entitled “Things that pertain to
worship”; the second part, “Things that pertain to practice”; the third
part, “Things that destroy the soul,” _i. e._, the vices; the fourth
part, “Things that deliver the soul,” _i. e._, the virtues. The contents
are as follows:
“THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO WORSHIP”
I. _The Book of Knowledge_, which has seven divisions:
1. The Benefits of Learning.
2. What Kind of Knowledge is Forbidden and Permitted.
3. Theological Learning and Nomenclature.
4. Conditions of Debate and Controversy.
5. The Relation of Teacher and Pupil.
6. The Dangers of Learning.
7. The Mind and its Uses.
II. _The Book of Dogma_, which has four divisions:
1. The Moslem Creed.
2. Degrees of Faith.
3. God, His Being, Attributes, Work.
4. Faith and Islam.
III. _The Book of the Mysteries of Purity_, which has three
divisions:
1. Purification from Unclean Objects.
2. Purification from Unclean States.
3. Purification from Unclean Matters that cling to
the Body (finger-nails, ears, etc.).
IV. _The Book of the Mysteries of Prayer_, which has seven
divisions:
1. The Benefits of Prayer.
2. Outward Observance of Prayer.
3. Conditions of Prayer.
4. The Imam.
5. Friday Prayers.
6. Miscellaneous Matters.
7. Special Prayers.
V. _The Book of the Mysteries of Almsgiving_, which has four
divisions:
1. Kinds of Alms.
2. Conditions of Giving.
3. To Whom.
4. How they are Observed.
VI. _The Book of the Mysteries of Fasting_, which has three
divisions:
1. Its Necessity.
2. Its Mysteries.
3. Obedience through Fasting.
VII. _The Book of the Mysteries of the Pilgrimage_, which has
three divisions:
1. Its Benefits and Character.
2. The Order of Procedure.
3. Its Inward Significance.
VIII. _The Book of the Perusal of the Koran._
IX. _The Book of Zikr and Prayer._
X. _The Book of the Night Meditation._
“THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO PRACTICE”
I. The Ethics of Eating and Drinking.
II. The Ethics of Marriage.
III. The Ethics of Trade.
IV. Things that are Allowed and Forbidden.
V. Ethics of Friendship and Conversation.
VI. The Life of Seclusion.
VII. The Ethics of Journeying.
VIII. The Ethics of Music and Poetry.
IX. On Favours and Offenses.
X. The Ethics of True Living and the Virtues of the Prophet.
“THINGS THAT DESTROY THE SOUL”
I. The Wonders of the Heart.
II. The Exercise of the Soul.
III. The Dangers of the Two Desires, namely, of the Appetite
and of Lust.
IV. The Evils of the Tongue.
V. The Evils of Anger and Envy.
VI. On Despising the World.