Many consider Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali the all-time greatest scholar of Islam. One of the great legal scholars of his time (1058-1111), he was, also, one of the foremost scholars of theology, philosophy and Sufism. In the realm of Sufism, his writings on the interrelation of law, theology and mysticism were central in establishing Sufism as a core dimension of Orthodox Islamic practice. Muslim communities all across the world today still base much of their practice of Islam on Ghazali's writings. Forty Foundations of the Religion is Ghazali's own summary of his magnum opus, The Revival of Religious Knowledge, which he described as the 'very essence of the knowledge of the Qur'an'. The Foundations are a brief and powerful summary of Islamic faith, worship, law and spirituality.
This is the first publication of significant portions of the Foundations in English. Original translations of selected highlights are accompanied by insightful commentary that makes the core message of this great spiritual master relevant to anyone seeking a balanced understanding of Islam. This volume will ,also, attract those who are interested in Eastern spirituality, Sufism and interfaith dialogue. Foundations offers a concise and affordable alternative to the extensive (and expensive) translations of the original Revival of Religious Knowledge.
Rezensionen / Stimmen
Islamic spirituality can be a trying thing in the modern day. Ghazali on the Principles of Islamic Spirituality is a translated and annotated study of the work of this eleventh century Islamic scholar who discussed much fo the faith's early philosophy and theology, and whose work remains quite relevant even to the modern day. Sufism is a major element of orthodox Islam practices, and presents a great deal to consider. Ghazali on the Principles of Islamic Spirituality is a core addition to any community and library Islamic and general religious studies collection. * Library Bookwatch *
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Höhe: 216 mm
Breite: 140 mm
Dicke: 20 mm
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ISBN-13
978-1-59473-284-3 (9781594732843)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Klassifikation
Aaron Spevack, PhD, is assistant professor of Islam in the Religious Studies Department at Loyola University, New Orleans. He specializes in Islamic intellectual history, including law, theology and Sufism. He is also a founder and director of Boston's Bukhari Institute, which offers educational programs on the arts and sciences of the Islamic world.
M. Fethullah Guelen is an authoritative and popular Turkish Muslim scholar, imam, preacher and civil society activist. He has extensive knowledge and teaching experience in Islamic scholarship, and is a prolific author with more than sixty books translated into many languages.
Foreword: Al-Ghazali and the Tradition of Islamic Renewal ix
Introduction xv
Al-Ghazali's Introduction 3
BOOK I
The Science of Belief
The First Foundation: Allah's Entity 9
The Second Foundation: His Sacredness 13
The Third Foundation: Allah's Omnipotent Power 17
The Fourth Foundation: Allah's Omniscient Knowledge 19
The Fifth Foundation: Allah's Will 21
The Sixth Foundation: Allah's Hearing and Seeing 25
The Seventh Foundation: Allah's Speech 27
The Eighth Foundation: His Actions 29
The Ninth Foundation: The Last Day 33
The Tenth Foundation: Prophecy 37
Conclusion 39
BOOK II
Outward Actions
The First Foundation: Ritual Prayer 43
The Second Foundation: Poor Tax and Charity 51
The Third Foundation: Fasting 59
The Fourth Foundation: Hajj, the Pilgrimage to Mecca 63
The Fifth Foundation: Recitation of Qur'an 69
The Sixth Foundation: Regarding Remembrance of Allah Mighty and Majestic in Every State 79
The Seventh Foundation: Seeking the Permissible 85
The Eighth Foundation: Establishing the Rights of the Believers and Keeping Good Company 91
The Ninth Foundation: Commanding the Right and Forbidding the Wrong 99
The Tenth Foundation: Regarding Following the Sunnah 105
Conclusion: Regarding the Ordering of Your Litanies That Incline You Toward These Ten Foundations ... 109
BOOK III
Purification of the Heart
The First Foundation: The Evils Related to Food 115
The Second Foundation: The Evils Related to Speech 121
The Third Foundation: Anger 131
The Fourth Foundation: Envy 135
The Fifth Foundation: Stinginess and Love of Wealth 141
The Sixth Foundation: Frivolity and Love of Prestige 151
The Seventh Foundation: Love of the World 163
The Eighth Foundation: Arrogance 171
The Ninth Foundation: Pride 181
The Tenth Foundation: Ostentation 187
Conclusion: The Entirety of [Blameworthy] Character Traits and the Places Where You Fall into Delusions with Regard to Them 205
BOOK IV
Meritorious Character Traits
The First Foundation: Repentance 213
The Second Foundation: Fear 219
The Third Foundation: Abstinence 225
The Fourth Foundation: Patience 233
The Fifth Foundation: Gratitude 241
The Sixth Foundation: Sincerity and Truthfulness 245
The Seventh Foundation: Reliance on Allah 257
The Eighth Foundation: Love 267
The Ninth Foundation: Contentment with Divine Destiny 281
The Tenth Foundation: Remembering Death and Its Reality, and the Categories of Spiritual Punishments 287
Conclusion 295
Epilogue 296
Notes 297
Selected Bibliography 300
