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SpiritualRoadmapbyGhazali, page : 94
learned and the scholarship of the scholars, who are versed in the profundities of
revealed truth, brought together in the attempt to improve the life and character
of the mystics, they would find no way of doing so; for to the mystics all
movement and all rest, whether external or internal, brings illumination from the
light of the lamp of prophetic revelation; and behind the light of prophetic
revelation there is no other light on the face of the earth from which illumination
may be received.
In general, then, how is a mystic `way‟ (tariqah) described? The purity which is
the first condition as bodily purity is the prior condition of formal Worship for
Muslims is the purification of the heart completely from what is other than Allah
Most High, the key to it which corresponds to the opening act of adoration in
prayer,⁷ is the sinking of the heart completely in the recollection of Allah; and the
end of it is complete absorption (fana’) in Allah. At least this is its end relative to
those first steps which almost come within the sphere of choice and personal
responsibility; but in reality the actual mystic „way‟ it is the first step, what comes
before it being, as it were, the entrance for those who are journeying towards it.
With this first stage of the `way‟ there begin the revelations and visions. The
revealed truth, brought together in the attempt to improve the life and character
of the mystics, they would find no way of doing so; for to the mystics all
movement and all rest, whether external or internal, brings illumination from the
light of the lamp of prophetic revelation; and behind the light of prophetic
revelation there is no other light on the face of the earth from which illumination
may be received.
In general, then, how is a mystic `way‟ (tariqah) described? The purity which is
the first condition as bodily purity is the prior condition of formal Worship for
Muslims is the purification of the heart completely from what is other than Allah
Most High, the key to it which corresponds to the opening act of adoration in
prayer,⁷ is the sinking of the heart completely in the recollection of Allah; and the
end of it is complete absorption (fana’) in Allah. At least this is its end relative to
those first steps which almost come within the sphere of choice and personal
responsibility; but in reality the actual mystic „way‟ it is the first step, what comes
before it being, as it were, the entrance for those who are journeying towards it.
With this first stage of the `way‟ there begin the revelations and visions. The