Pleasing others rather than God (Al Jâh), Muslim Spirituality Collection (Volume 3), by Lyess Chacal (Pocket)

The vices of the soul are legion and yet, their knowledge is essential for who wants to gain eternal happiness and not expose himself to a painful punishment. This is essentially what Abu Hamid al Gazali (1058-1111) considers, a famous thinker and theologian who wrote, among other things, his no less famous lhya' 'ulum al din (Revivification of the sciences of religion) and in which al Gazali devoted an entire Treatise to the condemnation of the jah or how to seek the recognition of others rather than divine recognition.

Gazali was interested in this obscure part of the soul which moves away from God to get closer to men "bartering" divine satisfaction for the satisfaction of others. It highlights the way in which the individual becomes aware of his singularity and the "Strategies" and tricks he will use to impose himself on others and dispute, in the hearts of his fellow men, the place in theory reserved for God. The analyzes developed in this work follow Gazali's thought step by step and highlight the whole psychological dimension of the Muslim confronted, in particular, with the onslaught of his own passions.

About the Author: Lyess Chacal

Lyess Chacal Doctor of the University of Paris IV Sorbonne, Lyess Chacal was more particularly interested in Islamic thought through the work of al Gazali. He is the author of numerous works on this author. He is, in particular, the author of illusion and deception in Islam, published by Oryms editions.