Al-Ghazali’s Forty Principles of the Religion

Nasir Abdussalam (Tr.)

Paperback

9781906949129

An Adapted Summary of the Ihya Ulum ad-Din by Imam al-Ghazali

‘Al-Arba’in fi Usul ad-Din’

“A careful and idiomatic English translation of one of Imam al-Ghazali’s most powerful books, which shows the comprehensive depth of the Qur’an’s teachings.” - Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad

“Despite the near guaranteed effectiveness of [the Ihya], one of the obstacles in deriving benefit from it has been its length. Imam al-Ghazali perceived this and therefore penned a number of abridgements and adaptations of it, such as The Alchemy of Happiness and The Beginning of Guidance. However, it is The Forty Principles that appears to be the closest in format and theme to the Ihya… Many of the themes and subjects that are found in the Ihya are also arranged in four major parts of ten chapters, each with an epilogue.” - From the Preface

Contents

Part One: The Sum of Knowledge and Its Principles

1. Divine Essence

2. Transcendence

3. Life and Power

4. Knowledge

5. Will

6. Hearing and Seeing

7. Speech

8. Divine Actions

9. Last Day

10. Prophethood

Part Two: Outer Actions

1. Prayer

2. Zakat

3. Fasting

4. Haj

5. Reciting the Qur’an

6. Remembrance

7. Seeking the Lawful

8. Upholding the Rights of Muslims and Good Companionship

9. Commanding Good and Forbidding Evil

10. Following the Sunnah

Part Three: Purifying the Heart from Blameworthy Characteristics

1. Gluttony

2. Loquaciousness

3. Anger

4. Envy

5. Stinginess and Love of Wealth

6. Frivolity and Love of Status

7. Love of the World

8. Pride

9. Self-admiration

10. Ostentation

Part Four: Praiseworthy Character Traits

1. Repentance

2. Dear

3. Asceticism

4. Patience

5. Gratitude

6. Sincerity and Truthfulness

7. Reliance

8. Love

9. Contentment with Divine Decree

10. Remembering Death