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AlGhazalisIhya-Book_of_Discipline_of_the_Soul_Character_Sick, page : 19
Know that every man is at first ignorant of the faults, which lie in his soul. When
he comes to struggle with it, even in the least degree, until he has abandoned the
grosser transgressions, he may think to himself that he has refined his soul and
made good his character, and may now dispense with any further struggle. It is
therefore essential to explain what are the signs of good character, since good
character is equivalent to faith, and bad character to hypocrisy. Allah, the
Almighty has made mention in His Book of the traits, which characterize
believers and hypocrites, which are all the fruits of good or bad character. We
shall now set forth some of these texts so that you may come to know the sign
by, which good character may be recognized.
Allah, the Almighty has said:
“Prosperous are the believers, who are humble in their prayers; who turn away
from idle talk; who give charity, who guard their privates, except with their wives
and what their right hand possess, and then they are not blamed. Those who
seek beyond that are transgressors. (Prosperous are those) who preserve their
trusts and pledges and those who observe their prayers. Those are the heirs who
will inherit Paradise; they shall live there for ever. (Ch. 23:1-11)
he comes to struggle with it, even in the least degree, until he has abandoned the
grosser transgressions, he may think to himself that he has refined his soul and
made good his character, and may now dispense with any further struggle. It is
therefore essential to explain what are the signs of good character, since good
character is equivalent to faith, and bad character to hypocrisy. Allah, the
Almighty has made mention in His Book of the traits, which characterize
believers and hypocrites, which are all the fruits of good or bad character. We
shall now set forth some of these texts so that you may come to know the sign
by, which good character may be recognized.
Allah, the Almighty has said:
“Prosperous are the believers, who are humble in their prayers; who turn away
from idle talk; who give charity, who guard their privates, except with their wives
and what their right hand possess, and then they are not blamed. Those who
seek beyond that are transgressors. (Prosperous are those) who preserve their
trusts and pledges and those who observe their prayers. Those are the heirs who
will inherit Paradise; they shall live there for ever. (Ch. 23:1-11)