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AlGhazalisIhya-Book_of_knowledge, page : 99
The debater always seeks to uncover the errors of his peers and continually pries
into the private affairs of his opponents. He would, when informed of the arrival in
town of another debater, seek someone who could reveal the inside story of the
man and would by means of a questionnaire attempt to bare his vices in order to
expose and disgrace him whenever the need should arise. He even would
inquire about the affairs of his early life and the blemishes of his body in the hope
of discovering some defect or disfigurement such as scalp pustule and the like.
Should he fear defeat at the hands of his opponent, he would, in the course of
the debate, allude to these blemishes, especially if his opponent should remain
firm and stand his ground, and would not refrain from being outspoken if he were
given to insolence and scorn.
Another is to rejoice at the injury of others and feel depressed when they are
glad. Anyone who does not desire for his brother Muslim what he desires for
himself is far removed from the way of the believers. Thus he who prides himself
by parading his excellence is inevitably pleased at the injury of his peers and
equals who vie with him for glory. The hatred, which exists between them is like
into the private affairs of his opponents. He would, when informed of the arrival in
town of another debater, seek someone who could reveal the inside story of the
man and would by means of a questionnaire attempt to bare his vices in order to
expose and disgrace him whenever the need should arise. He even would
inquire about the affairs of his early life and the blemishes of his body in the hope
of discovering some defect or disfigurement such as scalp pustule and the like.
Should he fear defeat at the hands of his opponent, he would, in the course of
the debate, allude to these blemishes, especially if his opponent should remain
firm and stand his ground, and would not refrain from being outspoken if he were
given to insolence and scorn.
Another is to rejoice at the injury of others and feel depressed when they are
glad. Anyone who does not desire for his brother Muslim what he desires for
himself is far removed from the way of the believers. Thus he who prides himself
by parading his excellence is inevitably pleased at the injury of his peers and
equals who vie with him for glory. The hatred, which exists between them is like