With Abu Hamid al-Ghazali

Heart repair

Author's name: Reem Bassiouni

Al-Ghazali says, "The heart is either bright or dark, and only he who comes to God with a sound heart will be saved." But what is a sound heart? How can we reach it? What is the relationship between Sufism and a sound heart? Some think that Sufism means isolation and asceticism in this world, but Sufism provides a path that teaches us how to live well in this world, among people, and how to take care during our journey in this world to keep our hearts sound, healthy, and fit to meet the King of Kings after a while. Therefore, this book does not call for isolation or abandoning the world, nor does it call for adopting a specific Sufi method. Rather, it is my attempt to write about my story with Al-Ghazali and my companionship with him year after year. The book is a journey into the heart, an attempt to reform it so that it shines and does not darken, so that it knows and does not remain ignorant, so that it lives and does not die. In the company of Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali, we will get to know ourselves better, and we will learn about the ailments and diseases of the heart and ways to treat them. Al-Ghazali is merciful to us, speaking about himself, encouraging us to rise as he rose. Come with me in the company of Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali, and what a beautiful company that is.