Bidayatu al-Hidaya (The Beginnings of Guidance), by Imam al-Ghazali (Arabic Version)

Bidâyatu al-Hidâya (The Beginnings of Guidance), by Imam al-Ghazâlî (Arabic Version)

I offer you these beginnings of guidance so that you can put your soul to the test and test your heart. If your heart finds an inclination there and your soul obeys and accepts it, then aspire to ends and dive into the oceans of science.

But if in experiencing it your heart shows itself nonchalant in postponing the work and procrastinating before the demands of action according to this guidance, then know that your soul which inclines to science is a soul instigator of evil.

Know, O you who are too attached to the acquisition of science and who manifest a sincere desire and a great thirst that if you aim through the search for science for rivalry and fame, competition with colleagues, attractions for the important men are interested in you and the accumulation of the perishable goods of the lower world you work only to demolish your faith, to make lose your soul, to barter your future life against your lower world. In short, your transaction is a loser, your trade is on the decline, and your teacher becomes a helper in your disobedience and a partner in your bankruptcy, for you are like the purchaser of a sword from a robber, in accordance with the Word of the Messenger of God: “Whoever helps another to commit disobedience even by half a word is his partner in what he has committed. "Rejoice, on the other hand, if your intention and your intimate design between you and God in the search for science is guidance and not just simple transmission, for the Angels spread their wings for you when you walk and the fish in the sea ask forgiveness for you when you work.