Disclaimer: These are my own very short summary and understanding from each advice given by Imam Ghazali. In no way it is capturing the full meaning of its message. Apologies in advance for my shortcomings and injustices. I hope these excerpts will instill the desire to read this short treaty (i can borrow mine if you want), the insights and wisdom will amazed you. It nourishes & reignites the soul.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله
Al-Ghazali’s letter in response, Ayyuhal Walad (Dear Beloved Son), distinguished in both its eloquence and remarkable brevity, constitutes a comprehensive series of advices to his beloved student. Covering all elements of life, from seeking material wealth to discovering the realities of the self, it summarizes the essential elements necessary to go about curing the heart and improving its condition in this world and the next. There are a total of 23 advises:
- Revelation – Real Advice is only from the Quran & Sunnah
- Time – If time is spent in His disobedience, that is a sign of Allah’s wrath.
- Knowledge – True sincere practice of knowledge is the only purpose of seeking it.
- Allah’s Mercy – Good actions will attract His Mercy. Hope is created (in life) to be only towards His Mercy.
- Evaluation – Constantly evaluate & reflect on the addition of sins and reduction of good actions.
- Intention – Always renew and strengthen good intentions for actions might go to waste.
- Death – Always ponder on the nearness of death.
- Hypocrisy – Take great care and concern in making your actions sincere for Allah only.
- Action – Knowledge w/o practice will only be against us and a huge cause of regret.
- The Grave – Have and keep strong ambitions for good deeds, kill the low desires constantly and weaken the desire through food. (eating less)
- Sleep – True knowledge & action won’t suffice if you don’t wake up for tahajjud!
- Dhikr – True sign of seeking forgiveness is in waking up for tahajjud. The sign of a true repentant.
- Tahajjud – The true lovers of Allah is waking up at night to talk to Him privately.
- Obedience – The essence of knowledge is to know what obedience (adab) and worship truly are.
- Shariah – If no sincere action/plan is taken to fight desires and lust, then what is the point in seeking knowledge?
- Aqidah – How long is this World compared to the Hereafter? How much do we need Allah/God? How painful is Fire?
- Companionship – If you understand this tradition, there is no need for too much knowledge. 1) Collect good works 2) Deny desires 3) Give up the world 4) Choose righteousness in affairs 5) Convince self that Rizq has been written for everyone 6) Hate the enemy (Satan) 7) Focus on worship 8) Rely on Allah alone.
- Spiritual guide – This chapter defines certain terms properly, the terms are Shaykh, Ubudiyya, Tasawwuff, Tawakkul, Ikhlas & Riya’.
- Referral – Should really act on what we learnt before asking deep questions.
- Rationale – Travel through the pains of acting upon knowledge. Embrace the journey. Your rationale and language of reason will thus grow.
- Devotion – This whole ‘Journey’ is in devoting oneself on purifying the Heart. Wonders will arrive at every stage.
- Da’wah – 8 advices; where 4 is to be performed and 4 to be avoided lest your knowledge becomes your enemy in the Day of Judgement, wa iyadzubillah.
- Contemplation – Compulsory to learn the different states of the Heart & Intentions in Ihya Ulumuddin!
- Dua – A compilation of Prophetic Prayers by Imam Ghazali. Read at least once in your lifetime!
And Allah knows best.
Seedlings 