Al-Ghazali's
Deliverance from Error
(al-Munqidh min al-Dalal)
and other works
Translated by R.J. McCarthy
as Freedom and Fulfillment
Published by Fons Vitae
Louisville
333 Pages , Paperback ,
1-887752-27-7
Included as appendices are:
Kitab Sharh Aja'ib al-Qalb (The
Explanation of the Wonders of the Heart)
Al-Qistas al-Mustaqim (The Correct Balance)
Al-Maqsad al Asna fi Sharh Ma'ani Asma Allah al-Husna (The Noblest Aims in the
Explanation of God's Fairest Names)
Faysal al-Tafriqa bayn al-Islam wa l-Zandaqa (The Clear Criterion for
Distinguishing between Islam and Godlessness) and Fada'ih al-Batiniyya wa
Fada'il al-Mustazhiriyya (The Infamies of the Batinites and Virtues of the
Mustazhieites).
One of the most remarkable
documents to have come down from classical Islamic civilization, this
autobiography of one of the most influential thinkers of Classical
Islam (1058-1111) describes his education and his intellectual crisis. also
described as Al-Ghazali's Path to Sufism His Deliverance from Error (
Al Munqidh min al-Dalal) is not only an Islamic classic but also one of the
great spiritual autobiographies in the religious tradition. Imam al-Ghazali
is generally acclaimed as the most influential thinker of the Classical period
of Islam. This volume contains a translation of Ghazali's autobiography The
Deliverance from Error, in which the Imam describes his education and his
intellectual crisis, which left him so paralysed by doubt that he was forced to
resign the most distinguished academic appointment of his day.
Al-Ghazali is generally acclaimed as the most influential thinker of the
Classical period of Islam, in
THIS autobiography, the Imam describes his education and his intellectual
crisis, which left him so paralysed by doubt that he he gave up his academic
pursuits and worldly interests and became a wandering ascetic. This was a
process (period) of mystical transformation. Later, he resumed his teaching
duties, but again left these. An era of solitary life, devoted to contemplation
and writing then ensued, which led to the authorship of a number of everlasting
books (Many
of which have been translated in English)
The volume also contains
extensive translations from other key works of Ghazali. One is the Definitive
Criterion (Faysal al-Tafriqa), which shows the generous, inclusive nature
of Islam and the difficulties involved in excluding any individual from it. This
is followed by a tract against the Ismaili sect, and writings on conforming the
character to the divine, and on the 'Wonders of the Heart', an important Sufi
tract about the nature and function of the soul.
About
Imam Ghazali
Abu Hamid Muhammad, famous in the world
of learning as al-Ghazzal was born in 450 AH (1058 A.D). in Persia . He
graduated from the Nizamia Madressa at Nishapur, with distinction.a very famous
educational institution in Nishapur. Later he was appointed as a teacher at the
Nizamia College in Baghdad, where he proved very successful in imparting
knowledge to the scholars under his care. This valuable gift of sustaining
interest of his pupils and passing on his knowledge to them made him so famous
that students from all parts of the country flocked to study under him.
Imam al-Ghazzali was fondly referred to as the "Hujjat-ul-lslam",
Proof of Islam, He is honoured as a scholar and a saint by learned men all over
the world.
Imam al-Ghazzali's life was
spent in self-sacrificing service of God and his fellowmen. He left behind him a
fine example for all men to follow. He died in 505 AH He remains one of the most
celebrated scholars in the history of Islamic thought. His exceptional life and
works continue to be indispensable in the study of jurisprudence, theology,
philosophy and mysticism. The books that he left behind were the result of an
inquisitive mind that began the quest for knowledge at a very early stage
Al-Ghazali's
Deliverance from Error (al-Munqidh min al-Dalal) is Also
Available as an Individual Book:
Al-Ghazali's
Path to Sufism (His Al Munqidh min al-Dalal
AL-GHAZZALITHE ALCHEMY OF HAPPINESS
TRANSLATED FROM THE HINDUSTANI
BY CLAUD FIELD
Paperback 136 Pages (A5)
Printed and Published in India
The book was
originally written by Imam Ghazali in the Persian language. It is a compendium
of some chapters of his main work "Ihya' `Ulum al-Din". If one
consults the corresponding chapters in the Ihya', one would find that many of
the arguments presented here also discussed there in details.
"Knowledge of a part is better than
ignorance of the who1e." (Abu'l-Feda)
"The
spiritual alchemy which operates this change in him, like that which transmutes
base metals into gold, is not easily discovered, nor to be found in the house of
every old woman. It is to explain that alchemy and its methods of operation that
the author has undertaken this work, which he has entitled, The Alchemy of
Happiness. Now the treasuries of God, in which this alchemy is to be sought,
are the hearts of the prophets, and he who seeks it elsewhere will be
disappointed and bankrupt on the day of judgement when he hears the word,
"We have lifted the veil from off thee, and thy sight to-day is keen."
( From the Introduction by Imam Ghazali)
CONTENTS
PREFACE · 7
INTRODUCTION
· 17
I. THE KNOWLEDGE OF SELF · 19
II. THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD · 33
III. THE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS WORLD
· 48
IV. THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE NEXT WORLD
· 57
V. CONCERNING MUSIC AND DANCING AS AIDS
TO THE RELIGIOUS LIFE · 73
VI. CONCERNING SELF-EXAMINATION AND THE
RECOLLECTION OF GOD · 86
VII. MARRIAGE AS A HELP OR HINDRANCE TO
THE RELIGIOUS LIFE · 101
VIII. THE LOVE OF GOD · 117
AL-GHAZALIS'S
Mishkat al-Anwar (The Niche of Lights)
Paperback 93 Pages
Printed In India
Translated by W H T Gairdner
Imported book so could have slight Marks
THE MISHKÂT AL-ANWAR[1] is a work
of extreme interest from the viewpoint of al-Ghazzâlî's[2] inner life and
esoteric thought. The glimpses it gives of that life and thought are remarkably,
perhaps uniquely, intimate.
It begins where his autobiographical
Al-Munqidh min al-Dalâl leaves off. Its esotericism excited
the curiosity and even the suspicion of Muslim thinkers from the first, and we
have deeply interesting allusions to it in Ibn Tufaill and Ibn Rushd,[4]
the celebrated philosophers of Western Islam, who flourished within the century
after al-Ghazzâlî's death in 1111 (A.H. 505)--a fact which, again, increases
its importance and interest for us. [from
the Introduction by the Translator]
Click
Here to READ AN EXCERPT FROM THIS BOOK Imam Al-Ghazali's - Introduction
About Imam Ghazali
Abu Hamid Muhammad, famous in the world of learning as al-Ghazzal was
born in 450 AH (1058 A.D). in Persia . He graduated from the Nizamia Madressa at
Nishapur, with distinction.a very famous educational institution in Nishapur.
Later he was appointed as a teacher at the Nizamia College in Baghdad, where he
proved very successful in imparting knowledge to the scholars under his care.
This valuable gift of sustaining interest of his pupils and passing on his
knowledge to them made him so famous that students from all parts of the country
flocked to study under him.
Imam al-Ghazzali was fondly referred to as the "Hujjat-ul-lslam",
Proof of Islam, He is honoured as a scholar and a saint by learned men all over
the world.
Al-Ghazali is generally acclaimed as the
most influential thinker of the Classical period of Islam, in
his autobiography The Deliverance from Error, the Imam
describes his education and his intellectual crisis, which left him so
paralysed by doubt that he he gave up his academic pursuits and
worldly interests and became a wandering ascetic. This was a process (period)
of mystical transformation. Later, he resumed his teaching duties, but again
left these. An era of solitary life, devoted to contemplation and writing then
ensued, which led to the authorship of a number of everlasting books (Many
of which have been translated in English)
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