Imam al-Ghazâlî

Letter to the disciple

The imam's answers to a disciple's questions on the best practices of Islam.

A disciple asked: I have studied all kinds of branches of knowledge, I have devoted the prime of my life to learning and collecting them, and now I need to know which of them would be most useful to me. in the afterlife and would keep me good company in my grave, and which others would be of no use to me, so I abandon them; as the Messenger of God said: “Lord, I protect myself with You against all useless knowledge.”

This question continued to occupy this disciple and he decided to write in consultation to his master, asking him some questions about the best practices of Islam and requesting advice and invocations in his favor: “What he I will need is for my master to write down in a few pages what I need in my practice and my journey towards God. The imam responds to his disciple with this letter, known in Muslim literature as “Ayyuha l-walad: O young man! O my son! >>

This letter is a summary of relevant advice and wisdom, for those who want to discover and advance on the path of practicing Islam, particularly spiritually.