Al-Ghazali — Lettere a Nizam al-Din Fakhr al-Mulk

Be it known that the flattering titles conferred on men are a devilish invention and as such are improper for a pious Muslim to accept. Our Holy Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, said: "I, as well as the humble and men in this community who fear Allah hate titles and high-sounding appellations." It is very important, therefore, that one must know the real meaning lying hidden in the title "Amir". One who has the virtues of a true amir both outwardly and inwardly is an amir even if people do not call him as such, and the one who lacks these qualities is not an amir, even though the entire world may call him an amir. According to the strict letter of Islam, an amir is the one who rules with absolute authority over his lusts and passions. The forces under his command belong to the various categories as stipulated in the Holy Koran: ".... none knows the hosts of your Lord except He. ..." Koran, Chapter 74 verse 31. There are three chiefs responsible for the discipline and maintenance of these forces: *Lust, which misdirects one to unhealthy and immoral activities. *Anger, which incites to murder. *Greed, involving dishonesty and corruption. If these chiefs could be presented in material form, the first would assume the form of a pig, the second of a dog and the third that of a devil. Mankind is divided into two classes. The first consists of those who control these three chiefs and force them to surrender to their will. Such men are kings and amirs though they appear in rags to the naked eye. The second category consists of those persons who cannot but obey and surrender to the will of these three masters. They are obstinate fools who call the slaves of passions and lust as kings, amir, and viziers. They would mislead you to believe that light is darkness, a thorn a rose and a howling desert a garden.…