On Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali

For me, there is nothing better than spiritual writing presented logically, almost scientifically. The formation of an argument, supporting data to corroborate the claim, empirical evidence and observational relationships, and an incontrovertible summation I find to be very effective. Needless to say, Al-Ghazali immediately caught my attention.

In this first passage from the selected readings, a logical proof for belief in a loving God is represented, and is done so beautifully.

"All beauty is loved by those who are able to perceive beauty." This lays down a groundwork for the argument.

"Beautiful forms are loved for themselves and not for any end..." This is observable evidence.

"It cannot be denied that where beauty is percieved it is natural to love it, and if God is beauty, he must be loved by those to whom his beauty and his majesty are revealed." This is the point.

"If, where beauty is found, it is natural to love it, and if all beauty consists in perfection, then it follows that the All-Beautiful, who is absolute perfection, must be loved by those to whom his nature and attributes are revealed." This is the summation of logic and argument. Claim and data are united.

I realize that to read this type of poetic dissertation with such a critical eye may do a disservice to the message, but most of the time, this is how my brain works. I find great joy in logic and reason, thus I appreciate (more than some, less than others) a more academic approach to spirituality.

Occasionally I moved by the pure beauty of lyric praise, and magnificent composition to that which is true and right. Althought I do not discount the virtue of this selection, I found myself more impacted by the manner in which is was presented. Regardless, the result was the same--I found joy in this exposition, which I believe was the author's point all along.