An Exposition of the Hearts : English Translation of "Mukashafat al Qulub" (Imam Abu Hamid Muhammed al Ghazzali)

ISBN: 9789694281827
Author: Imam Abu Hamid Muhammed al Ghazzali; Maulana Muhammad Muhammady (translator)
Publisher: Darul-Ishaat (2007)
Pages: 648 Binding: Hardcover

Description from the publisher:

Allah subhanahu wa tala says, 'On that day nothing will benefit the human being, neither wealth nor children, only the one who brings Allah a sound heart.' A sound heart is one that is free of defects and spiritual blemishes. Though the spiritual heart is centered in the physical heart, the heart being referred to here is the spiritual heart, not the physical heart.

Imam Ghazzali is well known for his writings on philosophy, reformation, rectification and purification of the hearts. This book is no exception to these subjects. As the title suggests, Imam Ghazzali lays open the hearts and exposes their diseases, ailments, maladies, virtues, merits and values. In doing so, he proves that the hearts are capable of both good and evil, and that it is upon us to either cleanse and purify them, or to soil and contaminate them. Purification of the heart would lead to a life of peace, tranquility, satisfaction, Paradise, and eventual pleasure of Allah. On the other hand, contamination of the hearts would lead to a life of stress, tension, constant fear, dissatisfaction, Hell, and the displeasure of Allah.

Imam Ghazzali provides copious proofs from the Quran, Hadith and sayings of the pious. This, most certainly increases the value and benefit of the book.

This book is a must-read for those who wish to understand the virtues and diseases of the heart, and wish to adopt the correct measures on the path of purification and reformation.About Imam Ghazzali:

Abu Hamid Muhammad, famous in the world of learning as al-Ghazzal was born in 450 AH (1058 A.D). in Persia . He graduated from the Nizamia Madressa at Nishapur, with distinction.a very famous educational institution in Nishapur. Later he was appointed as a teacher at the Nizamia College in Baghdad, where he proved very successful in imparting knowledge to the scholars under his care. This valuable gift of sustaining interest of his pupils and passing on his knowledge to them made him so famous that students from all parts of the country flocked to study under him.

Imam al-Ghazzali was fondly referred to as the "Hujjat-ul-lslam", Proof of Islam; He is honored as a scholar and a saint by learned men all over the world.Al-Ghazali is generally acclaimed as the most influential thinker of the Classical period of Islam, in his autobiography The Deliverance from Error, the Imam describes his education and his intellectual crisis, which left him so paralyzed by doubt that he gave up his academic pursuits and worldly interests and became a wandering ascetic. This was a process (period) of mystical transformation. Later, he resumed his teaching duties, but again left these. An era of solitary life, devoted to contemplation and writing then ensued, which led to the authorship of a number of everlasting books (Many of which have been translated in English)

For Imam Ghazali's Autobiography See: Al Munqidh min al-Dalal al-Ghazali's Path to Sufism, His Deliverance from Error, Iman Abu Hamid al-Ghazali's autobiography