In this book readers are led on a powerful and inspiring journey through the inner dimensions of a range of Islamic acts, including prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and pilgrimage.
Consisting of a selection of writings by a great figure in Islamic history, Imam al-Ghazali, this book helps readers realize the benefits of the upliftment of their spiritual, social, and moral qualities.
Al-Ghazali (1058?1111), a towering figure in Islam, was born at Tus, near Mashhad in Iran, in the early Seljuq era. He wrote a large number of works, of which his magnum opus was the Ihya' Ulum al-Din compiled during his period of retirement and contemplation.
Chapter 1 Prayer - Salat
Excellent Merits of Prayer
1 Call to Prayer - Adhan
2 Five Set Prayers - Salat
3 Correct Performance - Ta'dil
4 Congregational Prayer - Jama'a
5 Prostration - Sujud
6 Humble Adoration - Khushu'
7 The Mosque and Place of Prayer - Masjid
Internal Prerequisites: Actions of the Heart
Humility and Conscious Awareness
Internal States Conducive to Perfecting the Life in Prayer
Awareness - Understanding - Reverence - Awe -Hope - Shame
Medication Conducive to Inner Serenity
Inner States at Each Stage of Prayer
The Call to Prayer - Ritual Purity - Covering Private Parts - Facing the Qibla - Standing Upright - Intention - Takbir - Opening Invocations - Reciting the Quran - Bowing Down - Prostration - Sitting and Testifying - End of Supplication - Salutation
Stories of the Humble
Chapter 2 Almsgiving - Zakat
1 Understand the Purpose and Significance
Testing the Degree of Love for God - Elimination of Miserliness - Expression of Gratitude
2 Payment at Proper Time
3 Give in Secret
4 Give Openly
5 Avoid Taunting and Hurting
6 Adopt Humility
7 Give the Best and the Dearest
8 Seek the Worthy and Deserving
Chapter 3 Fasting - Sawm
Three Grades
Inward Requirements
See not what displeases God - Speak not... - Hear not... - Do not... - Avoid Overeating - Look to God with Fear and Hope
Importance of Observing Inward Aspects
Chapter 4 Pilgrimage - Hajj
Its Excellences and Its Merit
The Pilgrimage
The Ka'ba and Makka the Ennobled
Residing in Makka
Madina the Radiant 3
Fine Points of Propriety; Internal Conduct
Purity of Intention and Means - Shunning Unlawful Taxes - Moderation in Expenditure - Forsaking Evil Conduct - Going on Foot - Modesty and Simplicity of Transport - Shabbiness in Dress and Appearance - Kindness to Beasts of Burden - Sacrificing Animals - Equanimity
Inner States at Various Stages of Hajj
Understanding - Yearning - Resolve - Severing Ties - Provisions - Transport - Purchase of Ihram - Leaving Home - Crossing the Desert - Putting on Ihram and Crying 'Labbayk' - Entering Makka - Seeing the Ka'ba - Circumambulating the House (Tawaf) - Touching the Black Stone - Standing at Multazam - Running between al-Safa and al-Marwa (Sa'y) - Standing at 'Arafat - Casting Pebbles (Ramy) - Sacrificing Animals - Visiting Madina - Visiting God's Messenger
Conclusions
Chapter 5 Night Vigil - Qiyam al-Layl
Quranic Verses - Traditions of the Prophet - Traditions of the Companions and Their Followers
Chapter 6 Invoking Blessings upon God's Messenger
Chapter 7 The Merit of Seeking Forgiveness - Istighfar
