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AlGhazalisIhya-Book_of_knowledge, page : 6
as good, so that the science of the religion disappeared and the torch of the true
faith was extinguished all over the world. They duped the people into believing
that there was no knowledge except such ordinances of government as the
judges sue to settle disputes when the mob riots. Or, the type of argument, which
the proud display in order to confuse and refute; or the elaborate and flowery
language with which the preacher seeks to lure the common people. They did
this because, apart from these three, they could find no other way to snare illegal
profit and the riches of the world. On the other hand, the science of the path of
the Hereafter, which our fore-fathers trod and which includes what Allah called in
His Book, law, wisdom, knowledge, enlightenment, light, guidance and
righteousness, has vanished from among mankind and been completely
forgotten. Since this is a calamity afflicting religion and a grave crisis
overshadowing it, I have therefore deemed it important to engage in the writing of
this book; to revive the science of religion, to bring to light the exemplary lives of
the departed Imans, and to show what branches of knowledge the prophets and
virtuous fathers regarded as useful.
I have divided the work into four parts or quarters. These are: the „Acts of
Worship‟, „Customs of Life‟, „Destructive Matters in Life‟, and the „Saving Matters
faith was extinguished all over the world. They duped the people into believing
that there was no knowledge except such ordinances of government as the
judges sue to settle disputes when the mob riots. Or, the type of argument, which
the proud display in order to confuse and refute; or the elaborate and flowery
language with which the preacher seeks to lure the common people. They did
this because, apart from these three, they could find no other way to snare illegal
profit and the riches of the world. On the other hand, the science of the path of
the Hereafter, which our fore-fathers trod and which includes what Allah called in
His Book, law, wisdom, knowledge, enlightenment, light, guidance and
righteousness, has vanished from among mankind and been completely
forgotten. Since this is a calamity afflicting religion and a grave crisis
overshadowing it, I have therefore deemed it important to engage in the writing of
this book; to revive the science of religion, to bring to light the exemplary lives of
the departed Imans, and to show what branches of knowledge the prophets and
virtuous fathers regarded as useful.
I have divided the work into four parts or quarters. These are: the „Acts of
Worship‟, „Customs of Life‟, „Destructive Matters in Life‟, and the „Saving Matters