Ghurur al-Amal
Definition
Ghurur al-amal is the counterfeit of genuine hope — an unfounded, effort-free expectation of divine mercy that functions as a spiritual alibi for laziness and sin. Al-Ghazali is scathing about this state, which he considers one of the most common forms of self-deception among religious people. The person who says 'God is merciful, He will forgive' while making no effort to change, repent, or improve is not practicing raja' — they are practicing ghurur. The distinction is effort: genuine hope is inseparable from sincere striving, while deluded hope is simply a sophisticated way of avoiding the demands of the spiritual life.
As understood in the classical tradition of Imam al-Ghazali and the scholars of his school.
Appears in
1 book in the library
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