Sheikhy Notes: Imam Ghazali

Showing posts with label Imam Ghazali. Show all posts

Monday, July 03, 2017

The way of Imam Ghazali (d 505/1111)

Okay this is going to be a dig in the ribs so brace yourself. Allah (the Exalted) blessed me to study the books of Imam Al-Ghazali (may Allah show him mercy) when I started my path to knowledge. I was obsessed with his books and I read everything. I borrowed and brought all the books that I could find. I recognised there was something in his works that I could not find elsewhere.

I looked at how others read books, which had strange opinions in them. It got to the stage that I do not want to read anything else. This was vital for me to remain balanced. I am grateful for this blessing because so many adhere to rare and unreliable positions.

Imam Al-Ghazali was Sunni but not a 'qatar' sunni ala the indo-paks! He clarified points that caused a lot of disagreement at the time. From matters of belief, Sufism, sects and so on. His way was balance in terms of his writings. Moderation in matters was important because far too many people rely on opinions that are not the majority or relied upon opinion. People read books and quote without knowing that there is a mistake in it.

Imam Al-Ghazali was not someone who would refute others without looking into their points and then after a period of learning and questioning. Only then would dissect the group, sect or religion. He became known for refuting groups from their own books. (Munqid min Al-Dallal p.20/1) He did this to remove all doubt that he had about the other. (ibdi p.21) He saw true knowledge as something there is no doubt in (Ibid p.23).

He threw off the shackles of trusting what others say and looked for necessary truths. He concluded that the senses could not be relied upon. He spent two years studying the books of philosophy and one deliberating with himself (Ibid p.30). He was a great scholar at the same time he studied to increase his knowledge. There are points mentioned in the texts that cannot be understood without a teacher. Reading books and then speaking is one the many modern problems.

In many of his books, he emphasised the way of knowledge and practice. And that true success was the combination of these two and not the isolation of one over the other.

Inward

Upon his study of the Sufism, he realised that this subject could not be learnt, it had to be experienced (ibid p.55) He saw it as the difference between learning what intoxication was and being intoxicated. Therefore, learning of Sufism by books was not sufficient then, as it is not sufficient now. A person who reads Sufi texts and then follows what he wishes is the one who is following his passion rather than a standardised method of a spiritual path. After the passing of Imam Al-Ghazali do we see the rise of the Tariqah. Great masters such as Abdul Qadir Al-Jilani (may Allah show him mercy) appear after his time. This was due to Imam Al-Ghazali placing Sufism as an inseparable part of Islam.

The bayah or oath of allegiance is promoted in adherents to a particular path of a Sheikh. This was one of the reasons he left his position and went in search of someone who could teach him the spiritual way. This sojourn was to last ten years. He worked for bed and board in masjids such as the Ummayyad in Damascus. He also came to the realisation that his teaching was not for Allah (the Exalted). He paused and reflected hard on this for a length of time. He found a teacher of the spiritual path. During his sojourn, did he transform and then in this illuminated state did his magnum opus emerge. The Ihya Ulum Al-Din was written in order to improve himself. He wrote about what he experienced in that time.

Many teachers refute others without reading what they say, therefore make their refutation unacademic. So it is not worthy of being read or being adhered to.

The best policy

Imam Al-Ghazali's Ihya is taught all over the world. Its pages have been are poured over by scholars for centuries. There were times it was burnt because some scholars saw a mirror of themselves. So rather than admit and be honest, the book was burnt. It is still one of the most popular books in Turkey, a Hanafi Dominated country. However, it does not resonate as much in the indo-pak world.

The last thirty years has seen parts of the Ihya enter the English language. The better translations are by Islamic texts society. However, these are single or double chapters at time. There is a very poor translation that arrived from the indo-pak world of the whole text. It is arduous to even read and I recommend the translations from the latter.

Strangely, one of the most popular commentaries is by a Hanafi Al-Murtada Al-Zabidi.

The way

The Yemenis in the valley of Hadaramaut have made the Ihya part of their scholarship program and part of their teachings. Even then, the scholars of the area warn that the opinions of Imam Al-Ghazali are very difficult to put into practice. He often takes the toughest approach to the self. So they might not accept particular parts. So we can ask does anyone carry the method of Imam Al-Ghazali in totality? I am going to upset the apple cart and say no. I will give you my reasons why because Imam Al-Ghazali is not a tariqah. The Ihya is taught by Sufis but some are on a spiritual path and others are not. It is not a book of suluk/wayfarering not like the same manner of the books of Imam Al-Sharani. However, parts of it are taught to Murids for their spiritual benefit like the books of death, destructive vices and breaking two desires etc.

There are individuals blessed with ijaza to him and have the text but not the spiritual path. The Ihya is a wholesale view of Islam that includes belief, fiqh, character, description of vices, death and redeeming qualities. A book of a path would be just about ones relationship with Allah (the Exalted) and all related fields. The Hikam of Ibn 'Ata Allah or Adab Al-Murid or Risala Qushayria etc. Are books of general Sufism, practical Sufism and experimental Sufism. The Ihya has fingers in all the richness of the arts of knowledge. There is no book like it. Muslims ignore it their peril, yes they do.

So his texts or way is not adhered to in its totality.

Retreat

Imam Al-Ghazali retreated from public life and teaching for thirteen years before briefly returning to it before he died. Even if someone was to read Ihya and try to practice it then they would undoubtedly find it too difficult. Because following books is not the way of the Tasawwaf. We follow men who are realised in spirituality not dead papers. Imam Al-Ghazali attested to this fact himself because there were sciences he could study himself because he was a master but he could not study something where he had little knowledge of the subject matter.

No one now can say that they are following the way of Imam Al-Ghazali because this is folly. Moreover, it is akin to giving oneself permission in the path which could lead to disbelief. This path has to be traced by to him but there is no spiritual path of Al-Ghazali present in the world. Maybe his path merged with another path and or died out.

There is no doubt that millions of Muslims benefit from the tawfiq he was given. I am one such individual to benefit immensely from his works. One of the scholars said that a sign that a scholar is one of the scholars of the afterlife is his love for the Ihya. A sign that a scholar is one of the worldly scholars is his hate of the Ihya. A scholar of the world being someone to avoid and a scholar of the afterlife someone to cling to.

Most of all, if I could narrow Imam Al-Ghazalis way it would be honesty. Honesty is the way of Imam Al-Ghazali. Yet, how many people reading this cannot admit this? He was not a lair and nor did he pretend things were okay when they were not. He was honest and the Ihya is a lasting testament to his honesty. He asked questions of himself that no one dared ask and then researched the answers. This is a massive lesson for the 'speakers and scholars' of this time who do not cease to be found in the wrong part of the book of knowledge.

Consider one point about the way in which Imam Al-Ghazali considered backbiting which is that he considered speaking good about someone backbiting - because they disliked it! No one says that! Backbiting is normally saying something evil spoken about someone. So consider how deep his knowledge was and how he interpreted hadith. If Imam Al-Ghazali's way is difficult then how greater and harder is it to adopt the Sunnah of the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him)? This is why we have madhabs so we can focus and do a part because the whole is too difficult.

Tasawwaf is about making ones heart pure from all sin. This is why it is only arrogance that we think we can follow a path without the means of a master. The same is he who reads medical books and says that he can understand the procedure; would you now trust him to do an operation on you? Your deen is more important than this. You do not need it all but you can learn parts, ideally at the hands of a teacher.

People seem to think that they can delete the scholars and follow Quran and Sunnah alone. Ponder how this fact is against Umar ibn Al-Khattabs (may Allah be pleased with him) way. He was one of the great companions yet used to send questions and consult Ali (may Allah ennoble his face). As well as gather the people of Badr to consult on a matter. Even though he was a leader, he sought clarification by making sure there was no room for doubt. He did not interpret Islam as he wished. Rather he consulted companions who could advise him. He never had the audacity to say that he was following Quran and Sunnah and did not need anything else. Which many people claim now.

There is a sad trend of people 'distilling' the works of the Imam Al-Ghazali for the sake of earning money and not for the sake of teaching. They put his name to sell books and I do not mean valid summaries by scholars with ijaza. I mean those intellectuals who have picked up books and started to teach or 'summerise' without valid ijaza/permission.

Not many people can be honest like Imam Al-Ghazali and even to refute others from their own books is not possible for most. Because they have, doubts in themselves so cannot refute others correctly. Refutation must be based on sound knowledge and not mere visceral opinion. So their arguments are based on doubt and this is why they are ignored.

There is no way of Imam Al-Ghazali in this time just fragments of his teaching in special places of the world. Yet that is watered down to make is accessible. In knowledge his way was to study until he had no doubts. He sought knowledge not just to practice it but to live it.

We are in need of studying until we have no doubts but how can you when most of the 'speakers' have doubts? So you have a lot of work to do to find that teacher without doubt but he is present.

But what we are mostly looking for is someone honest.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Sheikh Ibrahim Osi Efa

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Al-Ghazali and I

Imam Muhammad ibn Muhammad Al-Ghazali (d.505/1111) was perhaps one of my greatest influences in my early years as a student.

Understanding his influence is too great for small narrow-minded people to fathom.

During my early period as a student, of Arabic language in the setting of a western university, I was looking for something that I had been missing. The religious industry is one of the most off-putting things you can ever see. People are more interested in making money and twisting things to fit their desires, rather than tell the truth, was the background of my environment. It was as stale as sandwiches left out in the sun for a year. Often I found 'religious' people doing 'unreligious' things. This was often used as a cop out. People would not want to be like 'religious' people who were doing evil things. You can understand this point of view but we need to be concerned with our own graves rather than those of others.

In western Islamic academia, Imam Al-Ghazali is frequently quoted and referenced. This intrigued me and made me think about reading one of his books. However, at the time I was, busy reading anything anyone told me not to read. I found many Muslims disagreeing and arguing. This put me off from learning anything from them. If there were on the path, they would be learning and not wasting their time. I found most groups wasting their time and this confirmed to me that they themselves were a waste of time!

I had an interest in philosophy and reading books. I read Imam Al-Ghazali's work on the incoherence of the philosophers. This lead to reading the way of Imam Al-Ghazali (Munqidh min Al-Dalaal), in which he explains his own journey. He being one of the greatest scholars of his age, were even scholars would attend his lessons. He was well paid and he had no worldly need but something was missing. He lost his voice one day, had to retreat, and heeded the voice of the road. Claiming to be going to hajj, he went on a ten-year sojourn travelling from place to place, incognito. People did not know who he was and would clean masjids and so forth to get by. He met and began to frequent the Sufis. It was here he found was he was looking for. Rather than understanding Islam has as laws that needed to be followed, he saw the spirit of the law had been taken. What was being present was a dry form of Islam. Here are the rules so follow them. It needed to be re-invigorated and re-instilled and most of all it need to be revived. Imam Al-Ghazali re-invigorated would write a book that almost a thousand years later, still resonates. It retains its relevance even now. It was called Ihya Ulum Al-Din/Revival of the religion or revival of the religious sciences of knowledge's. I would say it has more relevance now than ever. We ignore it at our peril.

We live in a time were people are more dry and stale than ever. Read Ihya Ulum Al-Din and learn things that you should already know. The most important chapter is the chapter of knowledge and it's the first part of the forty-part book. The book is separated into four sections each containing ten chapters. The first part is on acts of worship, the second part is habits, the third is destructive vices and the last is traits that bring forth salvation. If you have read this blog then you will know that I have recommended to you several times. It is as if it was written yesterday, read it and find out.

Though complete translations do exist the quality can vary, the best are printed by Islamic text society. These are typically single or double chapters from each part. There are also recordings of book done by Mishkat media as part of the Cambridge masjid project. So click on the links if you are interested but it is better to pick up the single parts of Ihya if possible. There are American translations due of the whole Ihya but if these are translated through the perennialism philosophy then they are unwelcome.

There is a famous saying 'Ba'i layhiy wastari Ihya'/ sell your beard and purchase the Ihya.

The books of Imam Al-Ghazali taught me moderation, analysing things and looking deeply into matters to find the truth. Whilst many of my peers fell into takfir, being bogged down and not achieving their potential. I remained focused on knowledge and made more progress than they.

None of the groups of the Muslims has the entire truth. Whatever group affliation that you belong to. Each one has its virtues but none of them is the complete way. You can give me your good actions by slandering me across websites as much as you want. I have stayed neutral in the past but those people who want to give me their good actions or take my sins are welcome.

Of the many achievements of Imam Al-Ghazali was defeating the misguided philosophers who were ignoring proof texts in favour of misapplied logic. He defeated and silenced all their dissenting voices. He refuted the Shia when they were at their ascendancy in the 11th century and took the wind out of their sails. He placed Islamic law and spiritually as part of the same teaching. Nowhere in the world is this more exemplified that in the valley of Hadaramaut in Yemen. Their method is the method of Imam Al-Ghazali although transferring this method elsewhere could be elusive.

We find ourselves in an important juncture in history were revival is needed. Most 'speakers' are heedless and asleep, so how can they wake anyone up. Who of them are actually teaching knowledge? Most are opening books without understanding the words they contain.

Most of the speakers lack basic knowledge in simple sciences. They lie and cheat people to retain their sheep and their lies written on their faces. Like the words disbeliever is written on the face of the imposter/the Dajjal.

After the time of Imam Al-Ghazali did the great paths of the Sufism emerge into the Islamic conscience. The paths of the masters such as Abdul Qadir Al-Kalani/Al-Jaylani, Imam Rifai, Naqasbandi, Imam Shadhali and so forth. Imam Al-Ghazali paved the way for them. Imam Al-Shadhali used to teach the Ihya Ulum Al-Din to his students.

Many groups are stale, as I once was and this is way out. Islam is not a stale set of laws rather there are deep wisdoms to things.

There is no worse than a liar than he who uses religion to get what he wants from people. Whoever cheats Islam will pay a hefty price on the day of judgement. Be he scholar or otherwise.

I thank and pray that Allah show mercy to Imam Al-Ghazali and give him a goodly reward for his works. I found his honesty refreshing and re-invigorating. I have not found the like of which in other works. It is strange how people praise famous 'scholars' and you read his books and their littered with takfir, disrespect and incorrect opinions. Then you see the same people with darkness in their faces and yet they think that slander is the correct path!

As much as I regard Imam Al-Ghazali's opinion on things, I do not reject other opinions. I do not follow one scholar in everything because that is misguidance. Why? Because one scholar is not Ahl Al-Sunnah wa Jammah! Ahl Al-Sunnah wa Jammah is the majority of scholars from the beginning to the end of time. Not one scholar in isolation. Anyone who follows one scholar in isolation becomes misguided. Often there are things in books than are unreliable and so forth. Not everyone can spot them, so they cannot guard themselves from them. Often Imam Al-Ghazali's way is to uproot the tree and not trim it. Therefore, he took the toughest opinions on many matters.

We ignore Imam Al-Ghazali at our peril and if we are to return to moderation then we need to read and teach these books. Its importance cannot be underlined enough. Why do you think I keep going on about the same thing? Without knowledge you do not have religion, it is that simple.

Imam Al-Ghazali was important in early years because he gave moderation and a thirsty for knowledge. Rather than a thirst for slandering other groups or wasting time. Spirituality is part of Islam and that is missing in many groups. Even some of the so called sufi's who waste time instead of purifying oneself.

Start with Munqidh min Al-Dalaal it has many translations, so pick one and use the excellent translations of Abdul Hakim Winters, the book of death and breaking the two desires. Translations of the chapters from the book. If you can read Arabic then go for them.

They say the distinction between scholars of the afterlife and scholars of the world is the Ihya. If they love the Ihya then it is a good sign that they are scholar of the afterlife. You will be surprised how many ignore and disregard the Ihya for books of their own group.