Imam al-Ghazali: The Mysteries of Charity & Fasting for Children

"Understanding the spiritual meanings on which the practices of Islam are based, opens up the vastness of the inner life. Even though young Muslim children are not yet obliged to fast or pay zakat, the virtues and spiritual dimensions on which these are based can easily be introduced and comprehended even by five-year olds. Imam al-Ghazali's stories and metaphors offer an effective way for parents to communicate with their children, in a language which can be used and directly related to the occurrences within everyday life. In the following two books of the Ihya, such virtues as generosity, gratitude, selflessness, reflection, self-discipline, patience, honesty, moderation, and trust in God's loving wisdom are no longer abstract concepts but can be clearly seen instead as urgent and absolutely relative to each individual. We are indeed blessed to have Imam al-Ghazali's systematic presentation of aspects belonging to the inner sunna and his detailed map for guarding and perfecting our innate and noble nature. Table of Contents: Introduction to Imam al-Ghazali's The Mysteries of Charity and Fasting for Children by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf Chapter One: Why Are Some People Rich and Others Poor? Chapter Two: At the Family Farm Chapter Three: Five Necessary Parts of Charity Chapter Four: The First Inward Manner of Giving Charity Chapter Five: Something You Should Be Sure Not to Do and Other Inward Duties Chapter Six: The Story of the King and His Servants and The Fifth Inner Duty Chapter Seven: Going More Deeply into Greed, Pride, Conceit, Generosity, and Humility and The Sixth Inner Duty Chapter Eight: The Example of Grandfather and His Pure Orange Blossom Honey and The Seventh Inner Duty Chapter Nine: Knowing Who Most Deserves to Receive and The Final Inner Requirement Chapter Ten: Hiking Through the Forest Chapter Eleven: Reaching the Summit Sadaqa - Voluntary Charity - Its Virtues & Manners"