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AlGhazalisIhya-Book_of_Zakat_and_Charity, page : 3
affirmation of the Divine Oneness and testimony to the singleness on the One to
Whom all worship is due. Complete fulfillment of this obligation requires that he
who affirms the Divine Oneness should direct his love to none but the One, the
Unique, for love tolerates no partnership. There is little value in mere verbal
affirmation. The degree of love is tested only by separating the lover from other
worldly things he loves.
Now, worldly goods are an object of love in everybody‟s eyes, being the means
by, which they enjoy the benefits of this world; because of them they become
attached to life and shy away from death, even though death leads to meeting
the Beloved. The truth of our claim to love Allah is therefore put to the test, and
we are asked to give up the wealth, which is the darling apple of our eye.
That is why Allah, the Almighty said: “Allah has purchased from the believers
their selves and possessions, and for them is Paradise.” (Koran Ch.9 verse 111)
This concerns Jihad, the struggle in the way of Allah, which entails a readiness to
sacrifice even life itself in longing to meet Allah, the Almighty. The renunciation of
wealth is trivial by comparison.
Whom all worship is due. Complete fulfillment of this obligation requires that he
who affirms the Divine Oneness should direct his love to none but the One, the
Unique, for love tolerates no partnership. There is little value in mere verbal
affirmation. The degree of love is tested only by separating the lover from other
worldly things he loves.
Now, worldly goods are an object of love in everybody‟s eyes, being the means
by, which they enjoy the benefits of this world; because of them they become
attached to life and shy away from death, even though death leads to meeting
the Beloved. The truth of our claim to love Allah is therefore put to the test, and
we are asked to give up the wealth, which is the darling apple of our eye.
That is why Allah, the Almighty said: “Allah has purchased from the believers
their selves and possessions, and for them is Paradise.” (Koran Ch.9 verse 111)
This concerns Jihad, the struggle in the way of Allah, which entails a readiness to
sacrifice even life itself in longing to meet Allah, the Almighty. The renunciation of
wealth is trivial by comparison.