Page:A Moslem seeker after God - showing Islam at its best in the life and teaching of al-Ghazali, mystic and theologian of the eleventh century (IA moslemseekeraft00zwem).pdf/205



elusion of the whole treatise is the argument from design, for the goodness and greatness of the Cre ator as shown in His works. What he says in re gard to the benefits to be obtained from gazing into the starry vault may be compared with David’s words in the eighth and the nineteenth Psalms. Says Al-Ghazali: " To look up into the vault of heaven drives away anxiety, removes the whisper ings of Satan, takes away idle fear, reminds us of God, brings the heart to magnify Him, banishes evil thoughts, cures pessimism, comforts the pas sionate, delights the lover, and it is the best Kibla for those who call to God in prayer."

Al-Ghazali was also a dogmatic theologian and controversialist. He wrote a commentary on the Koran in forty volumes, never printed; and a dozen books against various heretics, including one en titled: " The Best Reply to Those Who Have Tam pered with the Gospel." Al-Ghazali, who was himself cursed for alleged heresy, is memorable among the theologians of Islam in that by his breadth of sympathy he forbade the cursing of Yazid, the notorious slayer of Hussein, Moham med’s grandson, and gave his opinion in these words: " It is forbidden to curse a Moslem: Yazid was a Moslem. It is not certain that he slew Al Husain, and it is forbidden to think ill of a Mos lem. We cannot be certain that he ordered his death; really we cannot be certain of the cause of the death of any great man, especially at such a