Ghazali: The Book of Repentance – Book 31
n his 40-volume magnum opus, the Revival of the Religious Sciences, Ghazali devotes the first quarter to ‘Worship’, the second to ‘Customs’, and the third to ‘Perils’. He opens the final quarter, ‘Deliverance’, with the subject of Repentance (tawba), or turning around, which is the universal entry point and basis for any spiritual journey. This is both a foundational text and a mirror for the wayfarer. People already take continuous account of themselves with the passing thought, “If only I had…!”. Ghazali counsels, “We should interrogate ourselves before being interrogated. If a person does not hold himself accountable in this world, his accountability in the hereafter will be lengthy.”
One should not be deceived by the ephemera of this world. Al-Ghazali builds this pivotal volume on four pillars: the essence of repentance; that which requires it with a division of major and minor sins explained in detail; the conditions for accomplishing repentance; and the remedy for those who consciously persist in transgressions—including the reasons they continue to do so. Small habitual sins, he warns, weigh upon the Heart; he offers concrete ways to alter our natural disposition for delay. Like poison, sin must be gotten out at once. The accrual of even small good deeds is of significant consequence. He poses the question that unsettles every reader: if you had but one hour remaining, what would you do? For the serious seeker of today, this classic work provides a structure which supports and encourages self-assessment, making this an invaluable practical guide.
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