Sheikh Muhammad Al-Ghazali was one of the most influential advocates of Islam in the twentieth century. What helped him to be particularly effective was a number of characteristics that heightened his popularity. First among these was his genuine belief in what he advocated. He was unshakable in his belief that Muslims cannot succeed in this modern age unless they went back to their faith and implemented it in their life. They could not hope to be successful if they reduced Islam to mere worship rites and banished it from their day to day life.
Secondly, his profound understanding of Islam. He studied Islam in the most distinguished Islamic university in the world, Al-Azhar, and appreciated its relevance to modern life through his association with the Muslim Brotherhood during the lifetime of its founder, Hassan Al-Banna. In addition he went deep into Islam and explained its principles and values most lucidly so that ordinary people could understand what their faith required of them. What particularly helped him in this was his knowledge of the Qur’an. He did not only memorize it all, but he read it frequently, so that its verses were in front of his mind at all times. He quoted the Qur’an with ease, and he recognized the applicability of its statements in all situations.
Thirdly, his sensitivity. Sheikh Al-Ghazali was a passionate man who felt for his people and for the Muslims generally. He could be very angry, and then he would speak out in clear terms. He would be likened to a flood moving fast, demolishing everything in its way. But his anger was rarely, if ever, for personal reasons. He was ready to be self-effacing in order to give the example of a true advocate of Islam who sought nothing other than to please God. What also tempered his sensitivity was his ability to acknowledge his mistakes and uphold the truth, even if this meant retracting his words, or publicly stating his new stand. He would change his attitude only on conviction, and was always ready to respect sound argument and authentic evidence. He would not hold on to an old view in the face of clear evidence to the contrary.
Fourthly, his courage. Sheikh Al-Ghazali never shrank from a challenge, particularly when it related to Islam and its suitability for the modern age. Nor did he ever hesitate to declare the Islamic view on any problem, even though such a view might upset governments and dictators. In the Introduction to his book on Islamic resistance to the Marxist and Communist onslaught, Al-Ghazali writes: "These pages are full of scientific and historical facts. I also include here an appeal from a heart that loves his faith and his community and wants to see them progress. I know that by mentioning these facts I invite deadly hatred. But worthless is life if we survive and Islam dies."
Numerous were the occasions which necessitated a courageous stand in the face of powerful opposition that commanded either government or social support. He was never hesitant to declare what he felt was the right attitude that was in line with Islam. In our earlier articles, we mentioned two such occasions: one against his friend Khalid Muhammad Khalid, and the other in defense of the Islamic personality and independence of Egypt, in front of President Nasser. On many other occasions, Al-Ghazali took a courageous stand against powerful opposition. One such occasion was when he spoke out against a new family law in Egypt which was supported by Mrs. Jihan Sadat, the president’s wife. A more recent but equally firm stand was when he testified in court in the case of the assassination of Farag Foudah, an anti-Islamic writer who was killed by young men declaring that he was an apostate. Sheikh Al-Ghazali was very firm in his stand, despite the fact that he realized that it was bound to upset the government. In fact, his stand invited much criticism in the secular press in Egypt and in many other quarters, including the BBC and the British and European press.
His courage was also seen in adopting views that find little support among traditionalist scholars. His views are always well argued, and supported by evidence. The important thing to realize is that Al-Ghazali would never stick to a particular view in the face of strong evidence to the contrary.
He does not find it difficult to admit being mistaken, if an opponent provides sufficiently strong evidence in support of what he says. Al-Ghazali’s views stirred some controversy, sometimes inviting strong criticism, particularly with regard to his advocacy of a more liberal attitude toward women and their status in Islamic society. The basis of his stand was his realization that unless women played their full role in society, as was the case during the life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the early caliphs, Muslim communities would continue to lag behind. His views were often seen too liberal by traditionalist scholars. But his evidence was often far more valid.
Fifthly, being close to the community. Sheikh Muhammad Al-Ghazali was always close to his people. He believed that the Egyptian people would always come to the defense of Islam against any enemy, because, by nature, they were suited for this role, and they proved it over the centuries.
He felt that the relationship between a scholar of Islam and the community was of extreme importance. Over the centuries, it proved to be the prime mover for great achievements, particularly in the defense of Islam against external threats.
Back in the 1960s Sheikh Al-Ghazali was banned from giving the khutbah before prayer on Fridays at Al-Azhar, where he was the regular imam. This was a political decision. Subsequently, the then Rector of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Abd Al-Haleem Mahmood, asked him to move to the Amr ibn Al-Aas mosque, the first mosque ever to be built in Egypt. At first, Al-Ghazali felt that this was a demotion, particularly because this mosque was in a very poor condition, neglected and abandoned. Nevertheless, he went there only to find the situation even worse than expected, with rubbish heaps close to the mosque, rising higher than its outside wall. But when he gave his first speech and the people realized that he was going to be their regular imam, they were overjoyed.
Soon the very small congregation at this largest mosque in Cairo began to grow steadily. Sheikh Al-Ghazali told the people that it was disgraceful that the mosque that bore the name of the Prophet’s companion who transformed Egypt into a Muslim country should be in such a state of neglect. The people responded well. They volunteered to undertake a comprehensive cleaning job, which was accomplished over a very short period. Soon, the mosque was regularly full with worshipers who flocked from a large catchment area to listen to speeches that reflected their hopes and expressed their views. The mosque became very popular again, and continued to be bustling with activity even after Al-Ghazali moved elsewhere.
Finally, his firm belief that an Islamic revival was bound to come about. He points out ten essential elements for such successful revival: Renewed faith and dedication; social justice; freedom and resistance of political oppression; women and family emancipation; purging practices alien to Islam among religious people; freedom and unity of the Muslim community; advocating progress and ending backwardness; removing alien influences in Islamic culture and heritage; proper guidance for the revivalist movement and improved Arabic education.