I now understood that mystics are not people of words, but people of real experiences, and that I myself had progressed as far as I could through intellectual study. My needs could not be satisfied by further instruction and reading, they could only be satisfied by direct and immediate experience.
So I decided to follow the mystical path. Through my efforts in following the paths of theology and philosophy, I had attained firm faith in God, in his revelations, and in the day of judgment. These three beliefs were deeply rooted within me, not by means of clever proofs, but through an understanding of the nature of existence itself. Yet I realized that my only hope of attaining eternal bliss was by detaching myself from all worldly desires, and by honoring God in every
aspect of my life. I knew that I had to leave the mansion of deception, and set out with all vigour towards the house of God. I had to turn away from wealth and position, and flee from all the worldly obligations that consumed my time.
(Imam Al-Ghazali)