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Spiritual_Roadmap_by_Ghazali, page : 91
morals, so that the heart may attain to freedom from what is not Allah and to constant recollection
of Him.
The intellectual belief was easier to me than the practical activity. I began to -acquaint myself
with their
belief by reading their books, such as The Food of the Hearts by Abu Talib al-Makki (Allah have
mercy upon
him), the works of al-Harith al-Muhasibi, the various anecdotes about al-Junayd, ash-Shibli and Abu
Yazid
al-Bistami (may Allah sanctify their spirits), and other discourses of their leading men. I thus
comprehended
their fundamental teachings on the intellectual side, and progressed, as far as is possible through
study and
oral instruction, in the knowledge of mysticism. It became clear to me, however, that what is most
distinctive
of mysticism is something which cannot be apprehended by study, but only by immediate
experience
(Thawq-literally `tasting‟), by ecstasy and by a moral change. What a difference there is between
knowing
of Him.
The intellectual belief was easier to me than the practical activity. I began to -acquaint myself
with their
belief by reading their books, such as The Food of the Hearts by Abu Talib al-Makki (Allah have
mercy upon
him), the works of al-Harith al-Muhasibi, the various anecdotes about al-Junayd, ash-Shibli and Abu
Yazid
al-Bistami (may Allah sanctify their spirits), and other discourses of their leading men. I thus
comprehended
their fundamental teachings on the intellectual side, and progressed, as far as is possible through
study and
oral instruction, in the knowledge of mysticism. It became clear to me, however, that what is most
distinctive
of mysticism is something which cannot be apprehended by study, but only by immediate
experience
(Thawq-literally `tasting‟), by ecstasy and by a moral change. What a difference there is between
knowing