Author: Obaidullah Nimruzi
The Biography of Abu Hamed Imam Mohammed al-Ghazali ‘MABH’ (Part 12)
The Central Role of Scholars in Leading Society
Imam Muhammad al-Ghazali (MABH) believed that scholars are the main pillars of guiding society, and the fate of the Islamic Ummah depends on the reformation or deviation of this group. If scholars walk on the path of truth and perform their duties with sincerity and piety, society will move towards justice, spirituality, and happiness. However, if this group becomes corrupt and uses knowledge as a means of worldly gain, their deviation will spread to other layers of society and lead to the moral and intellectual downfall of the Ummah.
This view of Imam Muhammad al-Ghazali (MABH) is derived from the teachings of the Quran and the Prophetic Hadiths. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: «إذا فسد العالِم فسد العالَم» Translation: “If a scholar becomes corrupt, the world will become corrupt.”
Imam Muhammad al-Ghazali (MABH) deeply understood this truth and strongly urged scholars to reform themselves before reforming others and to avoid falling into the trap of worldly ambitions. He emphasizes in his book, Ihya Ulum al-Din, that true scholars are those who use their knowledge not for obtaining fame and status but for guiding and educating people. In contrast, corrupt scholars are those who use knowledge as a means of personal gain and seek to acquire power and wealth. Such individuals not only lead themselves to ruin but also mislead society from the path of guidance.
Two Faces of Scholars: Reformers and Deviants
Imam Muhammad al-Ghazali (MABH) distinguishes between two groups of scholars when analyzing the situation:
The Divine and Reformed Scholars:
– Those who learn knowledge for the sake of Allah and the guidance of people.
– They act on their knowledge and observe piety and asceticism in their personal lives.
– They seek to reform society and confront oppression and corruption.
– They are independent of corrupt powers and express the truth without worldly considerations.
Corrupt and Worldly Scholars:
– Those who use knowledge to gain power, fame, and wealth.
– They are content with the appearances of religion and are oblivious to its spirit and truth.
– They serve kings and rulers and justify oppression.
– Not only do they fail to reform society, but they also become a factor in decadence and corruption.
Imam Muhammad al-Ghazali (MABH) has repeatedly compared these two groups of scholars in his works and emphasized that the reform of the nation depends on the reform of scholars. He believes that if true scholars have an active presence in society and guide people towards the truth, many intellectual and moral deviations will be eliminated. However, if corrupt scholars dominate, society will be misled and ruined.
The Necessity of Reforming Scholars for Reforming Society
One of the main axes of Imam Muhammad al-Ghazali’s thought is the emphasis on the necessity of reforming scholars as a prelude to reforming society. In his book Ihya’ Ulum al-Din, he considers the corruption of scholars to be one of the most important factors in the spiritual decline of the Islamic nation and believes that without reforming this group, reforming society will not be possible.
Imam Muhammad al-Ghazali (MABH) offers several fundamental strategies to achieve this reform:
1. Returning Scholars to Their Original Mission: Scholars should learn knowledge to guide and reform society, not to gain status and wealth.
2. The Connection Between Knowledge and Practice: Knowledge that is not reflected in practice is not only ineffective but can also be destructive.
3. Avoiding Dependence on Kings and Powerful People: Scholars must maintain their independence and not allow political powers to misuse religion.
4. Strengthening the Spirit of Asceticism and Piety in Scholars: A scholar must first cleanse himself of moral and worldly evils in order to reform society.
In a Single Word!
In summary, Imam Muhammad al-Ghazali (MABH) posits that the reform of society is contingent upon the reform of scholars, believing that if scholars walk on the path of truth, society will gradually reform as well. Conversely, if scholars become corrupt, their negative impact on society will be much deeper and wider. His views in this regard remain relevant for contemporary Islamic societies and serve as a reminder that the growth and progress of the Islamic Ummah hinge on knowledgeable, committed, and independent scholars.
The Responsibility of Scholars in Leading Society from the Perspective of Imam Muhammad al-Ghazali
Scholars: Moral Pillars of Society
In analyzing the causes of moral and religious corruption in society, Imam Muhammad al-Ghazali (MABH) considers the role of scholars to be very important and likens them to the salt of society. He states: «یا معشر القراء یا ملح البلد، ما یصلح الملح إذا الملح فسد.» Translation: “O assembly of reciters and scholars! You are the salt of this city. If salt is spoiled, what can correct it?”
This simile indicates the high position and decisive role of scholars in society. Just as salt functions to prevent corruption and putrefaction, scholars also serve to halt the spread of religious and moral decadence. If they act correctly, society will be on the path of intellectual and moral health; however, if they themselves deviate, they will also lead society to ruin.
The Heavy Responsibility of Scholars in Educating Society
Imam Muhammad al-Ghazali (MABH) believes that religious scholars, in addition to theoretical knowledge, should also be diligent in moral reform and educating souls. He argues that if scholars only teach jurisprudence and theoretical sciences but neglect the moral reform of society, their knowledge will be ineffective, leaving people trapped in the abyss of ignorance and corruption.
He emphasizes that the scholars of the past were not only experts in theoretical matters of religion but also role models in practice and led people towards moral values. However, during his time, many scholars were preoccupied with worldly affairs and neglected their primary duty.
The Moral and Scientific Crisis during the Time of Imam Muhammad al-Ghazali
Imam Muhammad al-Ghazali (MABH) identifies one of the most significant causes of religious and moral decline as the weakness of scholars and their failure to fulfill their roles properly. He writes: “The third reason, which resembles an incurable disease, is that the patient is present, but the doctor is missing. The doctors are the scholars, and at this time, they themselves suffer from a severe disease and are unable to treat others.”
This statement indicates that scholars must be morally and spiritually healthy to guide society effectively. However, if they are afflicted by moral diseases such as worldly greed, love of wealth and status, and fear of power, they will not only fail to reform society but will also contribute to its decline.
The Role of Righteous Scholars in Preventing the Corruption of Rulers
Imam Muhammad al-Ghazali (MABH) contends that the corruption of rulers and kings is also attributable to the weakness of scholars. He writes: “The corruption of the subjects is the result of the corruption of the kings, and the corruption of the kings stems from the corruption of the scholars. If there were no impious judges and worldly scholars, the kings would not have been so corrupt and would have feared the scrutiny and accountability of the scholars.”
This statement highlights the key role of religious scholars in reforming or corrupting governments. If scholars fulfill their duties properly and stand courageously against oppression and corruption, the rulers will be deterred from acting unjustly. However, if religious scholars pursue personal interests and avoid confronting power, corrupt rulers will become bolder, leading society toward ruin.
Continues…
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