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Ghazali_Letters_To_Statemen, page : 51
Sultan's service. It is true that there are more chances and facilities in Baghdad for the
advancement of knowledge than elsewhere and that the number of disciples to be
taught there would also be more than those in Tus. However, in view of certain
preventions both worldly and religious, my services to be rendered in Baghdad in the
cause of knowledge, would not counterbalance the great loss which my disciples in Tus
will suffer. Here, there are one hundred and fifty students studying under me, and it
would be inconvenient for them to leave home and accompany me to Baghdad. It would
be unjust on my part to hurt their feelings for no fault of theirs. Besides, to leave them in
the darkness of ignorance in hope that a larger number of disciples in Baghdad would
derive benefit, is contrary to reason and laws of natural justice.
An example to explain this. Suppose a man is expected to look after ten orphans. He
leaves them uncared for and goes to another place to look after twenty orphans. Do you
think his act would be justifiable in doing this? Another thing which you should take into
account is this. When I first came to Baghdad at the invitation of your father Nizamul
Mulk Shahid, I had no family. Now I have a large family to look after, and my children
would never agree to my leaving home and it would be cruel on my part to offend or
harm them.
advancement of knowledge than elsewhere and that the number of disciples to be
taught there would also be more than those in Tus. However, in view of certain
preventions both worldly and religious, my services to be rendered in Baghdad in the
cause of knowledge, would not counterbalance the great loss which my disciples in Tus
will suffer. Here, there are one hundred and fifty students studying under me, and it
would be inconvenient for them to leave home and accompany me to Baghdad. It would
be unjust on my part to hurt their feelings for no fault of theirs. Besides, to leave them in
the darkness of ignorance in hope that a larger number of disciples in Baghdad would
derive benefit, is contrary to reason and laws of natural justice.
An example to explain this. Suppose a man is expected to look after ten orphans. He
leaves them uncared for and goes to another place to look after twenty orphans. Do you
think his act would be justifiable in doing this? Another thing which you should take into
account is this. When I first came to Baghdad at the invitation of your father Nizamul
Mulk Shahid, I had no family. Now I have a large family to look after, and my children
would never agree to my leaving home and it would be cruel on my part to offend or
harm them.