Al-Ghazali's Minhaj al-Abideen (Student's Guide) Ramzy Ajem Introduction to the Student's Guide to Minhaj al-Abideen God Most High says, “I have only created the Jinn and Mankind, that they may worship Me.” (Quran 51:56) Worship is the harvest of this life, the foremost achievement of every human being, the merchandise of the saints, the way of those spiritually determined, and the path to felicity and paradise. God Transcendent is He says, “Behold, this is a recompense for you, and your striving is thanked.” (Quran 76:22). The path to Paradise is a path of effort as the Prophet ﷺindicated when he said, “Paradise is surrounded by unpleasantries, and the Fire is surrounded by delightful impulses.” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim] Imam al-Ghazali in his book Minhaj Al-Abideen ila Jannati Rabil ‘Alameen (The Worshipper’s Way to Paradise) has identified Seven Primordial Hurdles (`aqabat) of this path. Each hurdle requires a specific response from the traveller in his or her journey to Paradise. This classic is perhaps the most concise and beneficial works of Imam al-Ghazali in this field. It is his last written work and well suited for the average seeker of his era. Explaining why he wrote it, the Imam says: “Upon finding these hurdles on the path, we contemplated deeply on how to traverse it, and what a servant will need in terms of attitudes, tools, theoretical strategies and practical approaches, so as to secure his journey by God’s succor without being stumped by its ruinous obstacles […] And so God answered me, as it is He who answers the call of those in dire need, by showing me the secrets of the path, and inspiring me to place down a wondrous order in this book, the likes of which have not been mentioned in all of my previous works.”
I have authored this text as a summary guide to Al-Ghazali’s Minhaj Al-Abideen for English speaking students who wish to learn how to travel this path. May God make it a means of success and felicity for anyone who reads it.