Author: Abul Nasr Zaranji
Twenty Discourses, Twenty Radiant Faces (Part One)
Imam Ghazali (May Allah Have Mercy on Him)
Introduction
Allah the Almighty conveyed Islam as the final and complete message to humanity through His Prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and declared:
«الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا» Translation: “Today I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and chosen Islam as your religion.”
The religion of Almighty Allah is a complete and timeless faith that never loses its freshness and vitality. It remains vibrant and relevant throughout every era. In this religion, Allah (S.W.T) has endowed its laws and guidance with the capacity to lead the world under any circumstances, keeping pace with the transformations of human society at every stage.
It is well-known that the history of the Muslim Ummah is filled with changes and upheavals. As a universal and final divine religion, Islam, along with the Muslim Ummah as a global and final community, has interacted with diverse societies and nations, facing numerous challenges that no other community in history has encountered. The life of this Ummah is marked by revolutions and transformations, showcasing a diversity of conditions that is unparalleled across different historical periods.
From the beginning of Islamic history, there have been attacks on the foundations and principles of this religion that are seldom seen in other faiths, which have not undergone similar tests. Other schools of thought that have experienced periods of conquest throughout history have often succumbed to even the smallest attacks and have been destroyed by their enemies. However, Islam, due to its intellectual and philosophical strength, has triumphed over all its opponents and has remained in its original and enduring form in the world. This resilience is attributed to extraordinary individuals whom Almighty Allah has raised throughout history to preserve the spirit of Islam during difficult times, break the spell of rationalism, and infuse renewed strength and movement within Islam—men who have inspired Muslims with fresh faith and zeal.
These individuals, distinguished in knowledge, thought, and spiritual character, have exemplified strong and appealing faith in the face of ignorance and misguidance, tearing through the veils of darkness to reveal the truth. The robust tree of Islam, supported by such extraordinary men, has been nourished and protected through perilous times across different historical periods, always retaining its vitality. These heroic figures have adorned the pages of Islamic history with their bravery in confronting every threat.
The number of these leaders of Islam is too vast to be mentioned in this brief writing; therefore, we have chosen to depict glimpses of the lives of some true scholars of this Ummah, presenting them as examples for the readers. It is hoped that by studying these examples, the reader will understand the depth and historical impact of the men of Islam and their sacrifices in preserving its spirit. By becoming aware of the shining history of the scholars and leaders of the Muslim Ummah, they may choose them as role models for their own lives.
Imam Ghazali (May Allah Have Mercy on Him)
Abu Hamid Ghazali, a brilliant star in the firmament of knowledge and insight, was a distinguished philosopher and theologian from Khorasan, affiliated with the Ash’ari school of thought. Although he leaned toward Sufism, he exhibited exceptional talent in science and philosophy. Through his opposition to the philosophers, Ghazali demonstrated his mastery of Greek philosophy and is considered one of the great Islamic philosophers. Recognized as one of the geniuses of the fifth century Hijri, his influence on scholars and scientists of later periods was profound, leading many to study and analyze his works extensively.
Regarding the spelling of the name “Ghazali,” various historians and translators have presented differing opinions. Some have written his name with a stressed “za,” while others have used a softened form. Historians and researchers like Ibn Aseer, Ibn Khallikan, Zahabi, Yafi’i, Sabaqi, and the author of “Shadharat al-Zahab” agree that writing his name with a stressed “za” aligns with the custom of the people of Khorasan, who use forms like Qassari, Attari, Khayyami, and Khabbaz for similar names.
Family, Name, Lineage, and Education of Ghazali
The esteemed scholar, Imam Zayn al-Din, is known as Abu Hamid Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Tusi, or Ghazali. Imam Muhammad Ghazali, the brother of Imam Ahmad Ghazali, was from Tabraran (Tabraran and Noghani were two important cities in Tus). He was born in 450 Hijri, corresponding to 1058 AD, in Tabraran during the later period of the reign of Toghrul Seljuk.
His father, Muhammad ibn Muhammad, was a devout, pious, and ascetic man who was illiterate. He worked as a weaver and had a deep interest in attending sermons and serving scholars, jurists, worshippers, and ascetics. He earned a living through honest labor and passed away around 465 Hijri. His father appointed one of his Sufi friends, Abu Hamid Ahmad ibn Muhammad Radhkani, as his guardian, entrusting him with the upbringing of his sons, Muhammad and Ahmad. Radhkani, a poor and reclusive man himself, honored his commitment due to his friendship and shared beliefs with Ghazali’s father, diligently raising the two orphans. He provided for them as much as he could from the remaining inheritance.
When he learned to read, write, and understand religious matters and the basics of literary and religious sciences, and when Radhkani could no longer afford their expenses, he guided them to local schools so they could receive further support in their studies. Ghazali, possessing remarkable intelligence and insight, studied religious and literary sciences under Ahmad Radhkani in his youth.
This outstanding talent from Tus achieved a prominent status in sciences during his youth, arousing the envy of both the old and young. His teacher, Imam al-Haramain Abu al-Ma’ali al-Juwayni, one of the greatest scholars of Nishapur and Khorasan, took pride in having such a student. Among several hundred of Abu al-Ma’ali’s students, all scholars and scientists of the fifth and sixth centuries Hijri, including Kiya Harasi, Abu al-Muzafar Khawafi, Abu al-Muzafar Abiyurdi, and Abu al-Qasim Hakimi, Ghazali excelled. He attained scientific positions that were acknowledged by both friends and foes.
With the knowledge and excellence that distinguished him in his time, he earned a prestigious position in the courts of sultans and ministers, such as Sultan Malik Shah Seljuk and his famous minister, Khwaja Nizam al-Mulk. He held a chair of teaching at the Nizamiyya School of Baghdad, one of the largest Islamic schools, where around three hundred distinguished scholars gathered to benefit from his knowledge.
He received special respect in the presence of the Abbasid caliphs of Baghdad, such as al-Muqtadi bi-Amr Allah and al-Mustazhir bi-Allah. His innovative thoughts in the prevalent sciences of that time, including jurisprudence, hadith, theology, and philosophy, brought about a significant revolution that especially challenged the ideas and discourses of philosophers, presenting philosophy in a new and remarkable form. Gradually, his fame spread beyond Khorasan, his homeland, to the entire Islamic world, both near and far.
Continues…
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