At last his constancy and perseverance were rewarded, in accordance with the promises 'The seeker shall find,' and 'Whoso shall have wrought an atom`s weight of good shall behold it.' A certain lover had been separated from his mistress for the space of seven years, during which he never relaxed his efforts to find her. The Fourth Book begins with an address to Husamu-`d-Din, and this is followed by the story of the lover and his mistress, already commenced in the third book. I came across Risalat Sharh as-Sadr at the Dar as-Salaam Bookstore in Cairo a few months ago.Masnawi Sacred Texts ofIslam Book Four Kitap AГ§Д±klamasД± It was a tiny booklet hidden away on a corner shelf, tucked in-between much larger volumes, as if it was patiently waiting to be discovered. It drew my attention because it was a small work written by the esteemed Imam Al-Ghazali, rahimahullah (may Allah have mercy on him), author of the magisterial Ihya Ulum ad-Din (Revival of the Religious Sciences), spiritual master and scholar, and the individual who has been historically credited with merging the outward and inner sciences of Islamic law.Дue to its brevity I assumed that the booklet was an excerpt taken from one of Imam Al-GhazaliвЂ™s more substantial works. With further study, however, I came to see that it was in fact an independent text, and was actually a short letter of advice and wisdom on preparing for death. The letter was written in a concise and almost simplistic style, though the message imparted was one of great spiritual depths. I found it very appealing, and thought almost immediately that it would be a beautiful work to translate. I have attempted to do so in the following pages, and I hope that the authorвЂ™s wisdom and eloquence has penetrated through the transformation from Arabic to English. I ask Allah Most High to accept this effort from me, and I seek His forgiveness for any mistakes I may have made in writing it. The phrase sharh as-sadr is a common Arabic expression used to refer to a spiritual expansion of the heart or chest that gives rise to inner enlightenment, tranquility, and relief from anxiety and worry. It is a phrase that is used in a number of places in the Quran. 25-28) In reminding the Prophet ( salAllahu alayhi wa salam) of the great blessings He had bestowed upon him, Allah says, вЂњHave we not expanded for you your chest?вЂќ ( Al-Inshirah, v.1) Imam As-Sabouni says in explanation of this verse: When going to face the Pharoah and convey to him the message of Islam, the noble prophet Musa ( alayhis salaam) prayed to Allah, вЂњMy Lord, expand for me my chest, ease my task for me, and remove the impediment from my speech so that they may understand what I say.вЂќ ( Taha, v. вЂњHis ( salAllahu alayhi wa salam) chest was expanded with true guidance, faith, and the light of the Quran. Ibn Kathir states that вЂWe have filled your chest with light and made it expansive and unconfined.вЂ™ And just as Allah has made the ProphetвЂ™s ( salAllahu alayhi wa salam) chest expansive, He has made His SharвЂ™ (Law) generous, tolerant, easy, and without difficulty or narrowness.вЂќ ( Safwat at-Tafaseer, pp.

Imam Al-Ghazali entitled his letter Sharh as-Sadr because properly preparing for death is a means of attaining that spiritual expansion, illumination, and comfort.

May Allah make us among those who experience that state, and who ready and beautify themselves properly for the journey to His Divine Presence, Ameen. with the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Loving. We rely on Him, and seek help from Him alone. All praise is due to Allah, and may blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah Muhammad, his family, and his companions one and all.

He was asked, вЂњIs there a way of recognizing one who possesses that light?вЂќ The Messenger of Allah ( salAllahu alayhi wa salam) was asked about sharh as-sadr and he said, вЂњIt is a light cast into the heart by which the chest is opened and expanded.вЂќ вЂњIs one whose chest Allah has opened to Islam so that he has received light from his Lord (no better than one hard-hearted)?вЂќ (Az-Zumar v. Indifference towards the abode of delusions, their constant turning towards the abode of eternity, and their preparation for death before it arrives.вЂќ He ( salAllahu alayhi wa salam) responded, вЂњYes.

Imam gazali sohbetleri