Al-Ghazali on Patience and Thankfulness

Translated with introduction and notes by H. T. Littlejohn

The Book of Patience and Thankfulness is the thirty-second chapter of The Revival of the Religious Sciences, which is widely regarded as the greatest work of Islamic spirituality. Written by one of the most famous theologian-mystics of all time, The Book of Patience and Thankfulness discusses two of the virtues of the religious and spiritual life that are of universal interest.

In this chapter, Ghazali first discusses the virtue of patience and its different forms, the necessity for patience, the degrees of patience, and why patience is considered to be half of faith. This is followed by a longer discussion on thankfulness and the multiple blessings that God grants, from everyday needs such as food, to the blessings of the intelligence and the will. Conscious of his function as teacher and spiritual master, Ghazali not only encourages his readers to practise patience and thankfulness, but also alerts them to those causes that can divert them from doing so. In this way, The Book of Patience and Thankfulness is a manual of spiritual instruction and an aid in the goal of all aspirants: spiritual perfection.