Muhammad al-Ghazali
- Died
- 1416 AH
- Born in
- -
Muhammad al-Ghazali (1335–1416 AH / 1917–1996 CE) was an Egyptian Islamic scholar, preacher, and intellectual associated with al-Azhar.
Early life and education
He was Muhammad al-Ghazali ibn Ahmad al-Saqqa, born in the village of Nakla al-'Inab in the Itay al-Barud district of the Beheira Governorate, Egypt, on 5 Dhu al-Hijjah 1335 AH (22 September 1917 CE). He became known as al-Ghazali because his father held great admiration for Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, author of Ihya' 'Ulum al-Din; according to an account, his father saw the classical scholar in a dream advising him that he would marry, father a boy, and should name him al-Ghazali.
Al-Ghazali memorized the Quran and studied hadith at his father's house before enrolling in the Alexandria Religious Primary Institute, where he remained until completing his Azhar secondary certificate. In 1356 AH (1937 CE), he moved to Cairo to study at the Faculty of Usul al-Din at al-Azhar. During his studies, he connected with Hassan al-Banna, who encouraged him to write for the Muslim Brotherhood's magazine; his first published article appeared during his third year of college. He graduated in 1360 AH (1941 CE), specialized in da'wah, and obtained the 'Alimiyya degree in 1362 AH (1943 CE).
Preaching and career
Al-Ghazali began his public preaching career in the mosques of Cairo. He joined the Muslim Brotherhood, was imprisoned during his association with the group, and served as the secretary for its magazine al-Da'wa. He also maintained a recurring column in the Brotherhood's periodical titled "Khawatir Hayya" ("Vivid Reflections"), which addressed contemporary social injustice and economic disparity. In 1367 AH (1947 CE), he published his first book, al-Islam wa-al-Awda' al-Iqtisadiyya ("Islam and Economic Conditions"), arguing for Islamic approaches to wealth creation, development, and social welfare.
Within Egypt, al-Ghazali was appointed Undersecretary of the Ministry of Awqaf. In academia, he taught at al-Azhar in the faculties of Sharia, Usul al-Din, and Arabic Studies, as well as at Umm al-Qura University in Mecca. He also contributed to developing the Faculty of Sharia at Qatar University and helped establish the Emir Abdelkader Islamic University in Constantine, Algeria. He was awarded the King Faisal International Prize for Service to Islam.
Intellectual standing and controversy
Al-Ghazali was widely praised by contemporaries for his eloquence, character, and dedication to Islamic advocacy. Ahmad al-'Alawina described him as pure-hearted, good-natured, modest, gentle, and endowed with radiant eloquence.
His rationalist approach to religious texts sparked significant debate, most notably following the publication of his book al-Sunna al-Nabawiyya bayna Ahl al-Fiqh wa-Ahl al-Hadith ("The Prophetic Sunnah Between the Jurists and the Hadith Scholars"). The work drew sharp critiques from several traditionalist scholars, including Rabi' al-Madkhali in Kashf Mawqif al-Ghazali min al-Sunna wa-Ahliha, Salman al-Ouda in Hiwar Hadi' ma'a al-Ghazali, and Abu Bakr al-Jaza'iri in al-Radd al-'Aziz al-Ghali 'ala al-Da'iya al-Ghazali. Other contemporaries intervened to defend him or offer balanced evaluations, including Yusuf al-Qaradawi in al-Shaykh al-Ghazali Kama 'Araftuh, Ahmad Hijazi al-Saqqa in Daf' al-Shubuhat 'an al-Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazali, and 'A'id al-Qarni in al-Ghazali fi Majlis al-Insaf.
Death
Al-Ghazali died in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 1416 AH (1996 CE). His body was transported to Medina and buried in the al-Baqi' cemetery.
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List of Works
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Fiqh al-Sira ("Understanding the Prophetic Biography") is a modern thematic study of the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Rather than presenting a detached chronicle or listing extraordinary virtues, it approaches the Prophetic biography as an active, practical guide to nurture faith, refine character, and inspire constructive action for modern Muslims.