Al-Ghazali letter to Sa'eed Imadud-din Muhammad Al Wazzan

To Qadi Imam Sa'eed Imadud-din Muhammad Al Wazzan,

I am very glad to hear the news that some of the administrators of the affairs of your country are sparing no pains to ensure eternal security and implement wide ranging reforms to alleviate the suffering of the common man.

All believers are like one's self united on the basis of piety and relationship in knowledge, acquaintance with one another and cooperation among themselves. Among many treasures, the pearl of the greatest price is the knowledge we have of the early Muslims who recognized Allah as the Causer of all causes and relied fully upon Him, rather than upon their own energy and effort, or upon worldly things. Those indeed are the wisest of men who act in accordance with the preaching and actions of early Muslims. They alone are to be admired and congratulated who collect goods that will accompany them on the last journey.

There are people whose philosophy is that one must avoid contemplating the thought of the next world and just enjoy, as best as one can, the pleasures of life that it has to offer at the moment. Such are completely devoid of spiritual capacity and composed entirely of material stuff. If they are not shaken awake some day they will certainly bring evil upon themselves through their own folly, and will be seized by the Wrath of Allah sooner or later.

Since unnecessary correspondence is a kind of formality and a mere waste of time, which I do not like, I resort to it only when in view of urgent requirements which I cannot possibly avoid. Allah says: "There is no good in much of their confiding, except for he who bids to charity, honor, or reforms between people. Whosoever does that for the sake of the pleasure of Allah, We shall give him a great wage." Koran, Chapter 4 verse 113.

It would, therefore, appear that correspondence is also a sort of convention and a confidence held for the purpose of seeking advice from others. The reason for my writing is that I have a special favor to ask. I have a friend, the dearest one I have ever had, I cannot begin to tell you how much I like him or what varied and extraordinary talents he possesses. His readiness for any idea in mysticism is the despair of other sufis and this fact together with his gifts has impressed me.

Time is against him, but he toils relentlessly to assert his individuality. He wishes to seek an interview with you, and it is for this purpose that he has set out on a journey to your place of residence. He would be extremely grateful if you would receive and help him as much as you possibly can, for which kindness Allah will favor you with His Mercy and Bounty.
 * Your sincerely
 * Al Ghazali