Travelling Light

NEW :: Part II of the Travelling Light Series :: Now available to order from Cambridge Mosque is Moving on Vimeo.

Imam al-Ghazali’s Revival of the Religious Sciences

With Yahya Rhodus

Directed and Produced by Zakariyya Whiteman
A Mishkat Media Production
All profits to the Cambridge New Mosque Project
www.cambridgemosqueismoving.org

IMAM AL-GHAZALI (d.1111), known as the ‘Proof of Islam’, authored over a hundred books on all the Islamic scholarly disciplines. But he is most celebrated for his Revival of the Religious Sciences (Ihya’ Ulum al-Din), a compendium of spiritual guidance which he wrote to revive the flagging fortunes of the Islamic world in his age. Covering every aspect of the religion, from belief, to worship, to daily life, to vice, virtue, and the final encounter with God, this text is regarded as one of the masterpieces of world sacred literature.

This DVDintroduces four of the most important of the forty ‘books’ which comprise this massive work. They relate to ‘Saving Practices’ (munjiyat). In this collection:

35 Divine Unity and Reliance upon God (al-Tawhid wa’l-Tawakkul). Human beings find it hard not to be stressed by the unpredictable events of their lives. The wise person, however, who believes in God’s unity and power, seeks to place his trust in the Divine wisdom, a process which the Imam discusses in detail in this lesson.

36 Love, Longing, Intimacy and Contentment (al-Mahabba wa’l-Shawq wa’l-Uns wa’l-Rida). God loves His creation, and human beings most especially; and we are called to love Him in return. This religious virtue turns life into a delight, as we recognise the signs of God’s love in creation and in other people, and learn to be satisfied with God’s decree at all times.

37 Intention, Truthfulness and Sincerity (al-Niyya wa’l-Ikhlas wa’l-Sidq) No matter how outwardly correct we may seem, without inward purity and sincerity our spiritual practice and our moral life are meaningless. Here we learn the importance of sincerity and right intention, and how to rectify our inward consciousness to ensure that everything we do is uplifted by a clear and good purpose.

38 Vigil and Self-examination (al-Muraqaba wa’l-Muhasaba) A healthy inner life depends on giving God His due, which means constant awareness of His actions and His watchfulness. We need to hold ourselves to account for our actions and our intentions, knowing that He sees the states of our heart.

Travelling Light is a Mishkat Media production in association with the Cambridge New Mosque Project. Mishkat Media is a division of the Muslim Academic Trust, a registered UK Charity (No. 1065784). All profits from this product will be donated to the Trust’s Cambridge New Mosque Project.