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" Imam al-Ghazālī says that there are three types of people: (1) Those who worship God freely (aḥrār); they do so only for the sake of God and His pleasure; included in this type are those who are diligent in their worship to fulfill their covenant of obedience to God. (2) The second type is people who worship like merchants (tujjār), looking to get something out of their worship; for example, a person of this type prays a certain number of prayers in order to receive a known reward, such as a palace in Heaven. (3) Finally, the third type is those who worship like slaves (ʿabīd); they do it out of fear of punishment, specifically, fear of Hellfire. "

Hamza Yusuf , Purification of the Heart: Signs, Symptoms and Cures of the Spiritual Diseases of the Heart


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Hamza Yusuf quote : Imam al-Ghazālī says that there are three types of people: (1) Those who worship God freely (aḥrār); they do so only for the sake of God and His pleasure; included in this type are those who are diligent in their worship to fulfill their covenant of obedience to God. (2) The second type is people who worship like merchants (tujjār), looking to get something out of their worship; for example, a person of this type prays a certain number of prayers in order to receive a known reward, such as a palace in Heaven. (3) Finally, the third type is those who worship like slaves (ʿabīd); they do it out of fear of punishment, specifically, fear of Hellfire.