ABSTRACT

Again, in Duties of the Heart the eleventh-century Jewish philosopher Bahya ibn Pakuda sees the love of God as the final goal – this is the aim of all virtues. However, the only way is through fear of him. For Bahya such fear involves the abstinence from worldly desires. According to Bahya the love of God is the soul’s longing for the creator. When human beings contemplate God’s power and greatness, they bow before his majesty until God stills this fear. Individuals who love God in this fashion have no other interest than serving him. With complete faith and trust they accept all sufferings. In this regard Bahya quotes the saint who used to proclaim at night: ‘My God! Thou hast made me hungry and left me naked. Thou has caused me to dwell in night’s darkness and hast shown me thy power and might. Yet even if thou wouldst burn me in fire I would continue only to love thee and rejoice in thee.’ Having depicted such love for God, Bahya asks whether human beings are capable of attaining such heights. In response he stresses that only a few individuals are capable of sacrificing their wealth or lives for God’s sake.