Letter from Imam Al-Ghazali to One of His Students
(Ayyuha Al-Walad)
Author: Imam Al-Ghazali (505 A.H.)
Dar Al-Salam, Cairo, 2009
Dar Al-Salam, Cairo, 2009
Translated by Dina M. Yusuf
This booklet is a message from Al-Imam Al-Ghazali to one of his disciples who asked the Imam to advise him concerning the sciences which would benefit him in the Hereafter.
"There are four thing you SHOULD DO and four things you SHOULD NOT DO" (read the comments)
Four thinks you SHOULD NOT do:
ReplyDelete1) arguing with anyone in any matter
2) become preacher and a warner, as it entails much mischief, unless you practice what you preach first
3) socializing with princes and sultans and meeting the; as it causes great harm
4) accepting gifts and donations from the princes, eve if you know that they are from a lawful source
Four thinks you SHOULD do:
ReplyDelete1) deal with Allah [Exalted be He] such that, if your servant dealt the same way with you, you would be pleased with him and you would not become angry at him.
2) in all your dealings with people treat them as you would like them to treat you, because one's faith is not complete until he loves for others what he loves for himself.
3) If you read of study, it should be ascience that mends your heart and purifies your soul; as if you know that your life would not be prolonged more than a week.
4) do not gather from the world more than the sufficiency of a year, as the Messenger of Allah did in some of his rooms [i.e. his wives], and he used to say, "O Allah, make the provision of the family of Muhammad sufficient".