Overview
The 37th chapter of the Revival of Religious Sciences, this treatise focuses on the subject of intention—which is of crucial importance in Islam—posing questions such as How can someone ignorant of the meaning of intention verify his own intention? How can someone ignorant of the meaning of sincerity verify his own sincerity? and How can someone sincerely claim truthfulness if he has not verified its meaning? Renowned theologian-mystic Abu Hamid al-Ghazali addresses these questions by expounding the reality and levels of intention, sincerity, and truthfulness and the acts which affirm or mar them. Each of al-Ghazali’s responses is based on the Qur’an, the example of the Prophet, and the sayings of numerous scholars and Sufis. As relevant today as it was in the 11th century, this discourse will be of interest to anyone concerned with ethics and moral philosophy.Author Biography
Abu Hamid al-Ghazali was a medieval Muslim theologian, jurist, philosopher, and mystic. He is the most famous theologian-mystic of Islam. Anthony F. Shaker is a professional consultant and researcher with a PhD in Islamic studies from McGill University. He is the author of Thinking in the Language of Reality: Sadr al-Din Qunawi and the Philosophy of Reason. He lives in Quebec.