This is a classic Sufi manual on the 'science of the heart'. For Sufis, the 'heart' is the seat of the soul and holds the key to the intimate relationship that exists between soul and body. Each heart, according to this traditional wisdom, possesses four qualities: predatory, animal, demonic and divine. The latter represents our true origin and potential, and by use of the intelligence and spiritual practices enabled by God's grace, we may restore equilibrium to our inner core.

Al-Ghazali was one of the great Muslim theologians. In this book the author provides a translation of some of his works, including his spiritual autobiography. Al-Ghazali's description of his own emergence from scepticism anticipates the philosophical method of systematic doubt employed by Descartes. Another work translated here sets out Al-Ghazali's ideal of how a religious person should order his life from hour to hour and day to day.