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On Disciplining the Soul
 
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On Disciplining the Soul (Hardcover)

by Abu Hamid Muhammad Ghazali (Author), T.J. Winter (Translator)
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
Price: £52.99 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Frequently Bought Together

On Disciplining the Soul + Al-Ghazali on the Remembrance of Death and the Afterlife: Book XL of the Revival of the Religious Sciences (Ihya' 'Ulum al-Din): The Revival of the ... (The Islamic Texts Society's Ghazali Series) + The Alchemy of Happiness (Forgotten Books)
Total RRP: £79.93
Price For All Three: £72.03

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 370 pages
  • Publisher: Islamic Texts Society (31 Dec 1995)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 094662142X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0946621422
  • Product Dimensions: 23.8 x 16 x 3.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 1,729,831 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
  • See Complete Table of Contents

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Product Description

Product Description

The spiritual life in Islam begins with 'riyadat al-nafs,' the inner warfare against the ego. Distracted and polluted by worldliness, the lower self has a tendency to drag the human creature down into arrogance and vice. Only by a powerful effort of will can the sincere worshipper achieve the purity of soul which enables him to attain God's proximity. This translation of two chapters from "The Revival of the Religious Sciences" (Ihya' 'Ulum al-Din) details the sophisticated spiritual techniques adopted by classical Islam. In the first step, "On Disciplining the Soul," which cites copious anecdotes from the Islamic scriptures and biographies of the saints, Ghazali explains how to acquire good character traits, and goes on to describe how the sickness of the heart may be cured. In the second part, "Breaking the Two Desires," he focusses on the question of gluttony and sexual desire, concluding, in the words of the Prophet, that 'the best of all matters is the middle way'. The translator has added an introduction and notes which explore Ghazali's ability to make use of Greek as well as Islamic ethics. The work will prove of special interest to those interested in Sufi mysticism, comparative ethics, and the question of sexuality in Islam.

About the Author

Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (1058-1111) theologian, logician, jurist and mystic, was born and died at the town of Tus in Central Asia, but spent much of his life lecturing at Baghdad or leading the life of a wandering dervish. Because of his success in revealing the compatibility of the outward forms of religion with the inner experiences of Sufi tradition, he is commonly regarded as the 'Renewer' of the fifth Muslim century, and the most influential thinker of medieval Islam.

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Customer Reviews

8 Reviews
5 star:
 (7)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.9 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding contribution., 8 Aug 2001
By F. Khan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This a very high quality translation of a key section of one of the most important books in Islam. Imam Ghazali goes through the various techniques that can be used to reform the personality and bring the ego under control.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Spiritual guide which helped me when i was weak, 23 Mar 2005
By A. Khan "happyatif" (London) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I picked this book up just after i was divorced. It helped me to realign a hurt soul, and also to work towards a higher purpose than just to focus on the disruption in my life. It really helped me to gain control. Its not easy to read, but if you read it with your heart rather than your mind, you start entering a higher spiritual dimension. A fantastic book from Al-Ghazali, and a great translation from Mr Winter.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Al-Ghazali on Disciplining the Soul, 18 Sep 2003
Although this book is good and TJ Winters has done an excellent transalation, it is very heavy for a seeker as it goes straight for the heart, it also has solutions to many problems of a spiritual nature however we must remember that everything in this book cannot be excercised without the guidance of one who has been through the effort.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Sufi classic from a highly regarded writer
Al Ghazali is regarded as a more cerebral and exoterically inclined Sufi, as a pose to the more esoteric practitioners such as Shibli, Ruzbihan and Bayazid. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Spilsbury

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificant work that remains hugely important for 21st Century Muslims
Al-Ghazali's work encourages reflection upon our individual lives and challenges us to overcome our base desires, greeds and glorification of the self that have sadly become... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Georgee

5.0 out of 5 stars Discipline that Soul!
An excellent, thought provoking and thoroughly worth while read. All the more relevant In a world consumed by greed, hedonism and persuit of the material. Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2008 by H. Saroya

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
Are you overeating? read this and see if it can't change your mind but there is so much more than this. Working against the ego/naafs is the hardest thing anyone can do.
Published on 3 Nov 2007 by gnostic

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring
The intro is tough-going, but the main body of the book doesn't disappoint. You'll conclude that ascetism is a must for anyone aspiring for spiritual reform.
Published on 31 Aug 2006 by M. Miah

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