Path of Worshippers to the Paradise of the Lord of the Worlds

Imam Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghazzali is universally considered the most influential Muslim theologian and jurist, an original thinker, a sincere Sufi, and the greatest figure in the history of Islamic intellectual tradition.Mohammad H. Faghfoory teaches Islamic studies at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He has written, translated, and edited eight books and numerous articles and book chapters.

To translate a Sufi text well into English, or for that matter into any other language, requires not only mastery of the languages involved and familiarity with Sufi teachings, but also spiritual affinity and intimacy with the reality of Sufism if something of the spiritual perfume of the original text is to be present in the translation. Fortunately, the translator of the present book combines all these qualities within himself. Not only does Mohammad Faghfoory possess mastery of Arabic and Persian and of course English, but he was brought up in a Sufi family and is himself immersed in the life of Sufism and engaged in its practices. Moreover, he has had experience in the translation of Sufi writings and has already produced English translations of other important Sufi works. The result of the conjunction of these diverse qualities in him has enabled him to produce a fine translation which is an important addition to the corpus of Sufi literature in English.

• Table of TransliterationForeword by Seyyed Hossein NasrTranslator's IntroductionIntroductory RemarksI. On the Valley of Knowledge (ilm)II. On the Valley of Repentance (tawbah)III. On the Valley of Obstacles (awaiq)IV. On the Valley of Accidents (awarid)V. The Valley of Inducements (bawaith)VI. On the Valley of Factors That Impair and Ruin Worship (qawadih)VII. On the Valley of Praise (hamd) and Gratitude (shukr)Index of Quranic VersesIndex of AhadithGeneral Index