Al-Ghazali — Brief an Nizamuddin Ahmad ibn Ishaq

The second group of men, the wise, compare this world to the next, and prefer the latter to the former. The true meaning of the following verse in the Holy Koran says: "But the Hereafter is better, and more enduring." Koran, Chapter 87 verse 17. They attain a higher position by discarding the world by occupying themselves with the Hereafter, for their ideal lies in the next world which is higher, more honorable and lasting. They will be satisfied with whatever they get in the next world, yet they are not enlightened on the mysteries of Divine affairs, which is indeed a pity. The truly enlightened are those belonging to the third group and are they who care nothing for this world or the next, and purge their heats of everything except Allah. They know that the final purpose of man's life is to love and to know, and to be united with the Creator, the Almighty Allah. They worship Allah for the sake of Allah, not for any personal end or reward. They realize that to be pulled by the strings of desire belongs both to wild beasts and to men, and that they should not yield to the persuasions of the body. They believe that for those desirous of the life in the Hereafter, it is incumbent on them to be indifferent towards the world, and that whosoever desires Allah, it is incumbent on them that they should be indifferent towards the life of the Hereafter. Thus, they should discard their worldly life for the sake of their life in the Hereafter, and discard their life Hereafter for the sake of their Lord. So he should seek recompense or reward for his love of Allah. The truth is contained in this verse from the Koran: "Allah is better, and more lasting." Koran, Chapter 20 verse 73 and appeals to them as they know that: "Indeed, the cautious shall live amid a gardens and a river, in a secure abode, in the presence of the Powerful King." Koran, Chapter 54 verses 54 - 55.…