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ArticlesOfTheIslamicFaithByGhazali, page : 261
qualifications?" The answer to your question is that these
qualifications are correct and are put forward for four
reasons, two of which arise from doubt, not of the reality of
belief itself, but of its end and perfection; and two do not
arise from doubt at all.
The first reason which does not arise from any doubt at all is
the care not to be decisive for fear of self-praising and
making one's self out to be pure. Allah says: "Do not praise
yourselves." And again, "Haven't you see those who praise themselves"?
And again: "Behold how they devise a lie against
Allah." A certain wise man was once asked, "What is detestable
truth?" He replied, "Man's praise of himself." Belief is
one of the highest forms of praise and to be definitely certain
of it amounts to absolute praising. The formula of qualification
(Allah willing) is nothing but an attempt to temper
qualifications are correct and are put forward for four
reasons, two of which arise from doubt, not of the reality of
belief itself, but of its end and perfection; and two do not
arise from doubt at all.
The first reason which does not arise from any doubt at all is
the care not to be decisive for fear of self-praising and
making one's self out to be pure. Allah says: "Do not praise
yourselves." And again, "Haven't you see those who praise themselves"?
And again: "Behold how they devise a lie against
Allah." A certain wise man was once asked, "What is detestable
truth?" He replied, "Man's praise of himself." Belief is
one of the highest forms of praise and to be definitely certain
of it amounts to absolute praising. The formula of qualification
(Allah willing) is nothing but an attempt to temper