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/270



before God as though we had none," and that " we attain a higher degree of righteousness." The cross of Christ is the missing link in Al-Ghazali’s creed. He comes very close to Christianity and yet always misses the heart of its teaching. He is groping towards the light but does not grasp the hand of a friend or find a Redeemer. It is all a righteousness by works and an attainment of the knowledge of God by meditation without justifica tion through an atonement.

Yet Al-Ghazali’s teaching on " the Practice of the Presence of God " is very much like that of Brother Lawrence in his celebrated Essay. In his "Beginner’s Guide to Religion and Morals" (Al Badayet) he writes: "Know, therefore, that your companion who never deserts you at home or abroad, when you are asleep or when you are awake, whether you are dead or alive, is your Lord and Master, your Creator and Preserver, and when soever you remember Him He is sitting beside you. For God Himself hath said, I am the close com panion of those who remember me/ And when ever your heart is contrite with sorrow because of your neglect of religion He is your companion who keeps close to you, for God hath said, I am with those who are broken-hearted on my account. And if you only knew Him as you ought to know Him you would take Him as a companion and forsake all men for His sake. But as you are unable to do this at all times, I warn you that you