Skip to main content

Asceticism and Generosity

Questions and Answers
Imam al-Ghazali states that the essence of asceticism is generosity. What is the relationship between asceticism and generosity?
| The Fountain | Issue 161 (Sep - Oct 2024)
This article has been viewed 1092 times
Asceticism and Generosity

In This Article

  • Asceticism can also be approached from Bediuzzaman’s perspective as “renouncing the world not in action but in the heart.”
  • Generosity should not be understood solely as providing food, drink, or financial assistance. The scope of generosity is much broader, encompassing all forms of giving, good wishes, and goodwill towards others.
Asceticism (zuhd), in essence, involves renouncing worldly pleasures and completely removing the desires for the material world from one’s heart. A person who practices asceticism is known as an ascetic (zahid). An ascetic defines their relationship with the world based on necessity and need. They only seek the strength and energy required to perform their worship, explore spiritual realms, and focus on their ultimate spiritual goals. Their main aim is to achieve the pleasure of God and eternal happiness in the afterlife. However, they also understand that maintaining a balanced approach to...

Come back next month to read the full article!

Subscribe

More Coverage

Three Prisoners Seek Exoplanets

Three Prisoners Seek Exoplanets

“Appearances are a glimpse of the unseen.” Anaxagoras Throughout the ages, human beings have looked at the sky with admiration. The star-studded sky on summer nights reminds us how enormous our universe is and how small we are in that immensi...
The Enchanting World of the Houses of Worship

The Enchanting World of the Houses of Worship

Houses of worship play a pivotal role in showcasing a significant aspect of Islamic culture. When viewed as comprehensive complexes with their facilities, masjids or mosques embody a distinctive heritage of Muslim civilization. These sacred spaces...
The Case for Heaven

The Case for Heaven

The question of what happens after we die is one that has been pondered by humans for centuries. Is there an afterlife? If so, what is it like? These are questions that have no easy answers, but they are questions worth asking. In his book, The Ca...
Social Interactions and Spiritual Integrity

Social Interactions and Spiritual Integrity

Answer: Sha’rani [1] mentions that when he is in the company of a person who does not pray, even for a short period, he cannot feel the spiritual pleasure and delight he otherwise derives from his prayers. Such thoughts are particularly prevalent ...