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Page:Al-Ghazzali - Some Religious and Moral Teachings of Al-Ghazzali (1921).djvu/159

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152
THE LOVE OF GOD AND ITS SIGNS

But it must be remembered that a pupil may equal his teacher, even be greatear than he, but as regards divine proximity, no such equality is possible. God's love means that which purifies the heart of his servant in a manner that he may be worthy of being admitted before his holy presence.

It may be asked: "How can we know that God loves a certain person?" My answer is that there are signs which bear testimony to it. The Prophet says: When God loves his servant, He sends tribulations, and when He loves him most he severs his connection from everything. Some one said to Jesus: "Why do you not buy a mule for yourself"? Jesus answered: "My God will not tolerate that I should concern myself with a mule". Another saying of Mohammed is reported thus: When God loves any of His servants He sends tribulations, if he patiently bears them, he is favoured, and if he cheerfully faces them, he is singled out as chosen of God. Surely it is this joyous attitude of his mind whether