A Talk by Sheikh Youssuf Al-Qaradhawi

It is not easy to talk about our Sheikh Mohamed Al-Ghazaly. And I am saying 'our Sheikh' even if he is only nine years older than me. So, the difference in our ages is not a lot, but I assert that I am a student of his. I got to know him first by reading his articles and then by reading his books, since his first book, Islam and Economy, and his second book, Islam and Social Systems.

But when I read Al-Ghazaly's articles in the Muslim Brotherhood weekly magazine, I found him to be an astoundingly eloquent writer. Sheikh Al-Ghazaly used to write under different titles. Such examples are his Free Thoughts, Pages of Glory, and The Underprivileged People. This is not an ordinary Sheikh's style. That is why I never imagined that Al-Ghazaly of the Muslim Brotherhood magazine was an Azhari Sheikh. One day he signed 'Mohamed Al-Ghazaly Al-Wa'ez' (the preacher). I asked some brothers, "Is he from the Al-Wa'ez family or is he really a Wa'ez (preacher)?" They answered, "Yes, he is a preacher. That is his job." I asked, "Is he Azhari?" They replied, "Yes, he is a Sheikh and he even wears an Al-Azhar uniform." This made me admire him more and read more of his articles. Al-Azhar, at that time, was proud of all its men and Sheikhs.

Sheikh Al-Ghazaly was a man of Da'wah (calling) before anything else. He was, in fact, a top-level man of Da'wah. Da'wah or a being a caller to Islam was in his blood. He worked in it during the day and dreamt about it during the night. He lived for Da'wah in his past, his present, and his future – his entire self was dedicated to it. When he wrote, gave Khutab (lectures), he was doing it all for the sake of Allah. When he attacked, defended, or criticized, he was doing all of this for the benefit of Da'wah.

Sheikh Mohamed Al Ghazali mastered using all the tools for Da'wah (calling); first, the Holy Qur'an. He memorized the Qur'an as our brother, Dr. Ali Jum'ah said, "As if the Qur'an is one line in front of his eyes." I lived with the Sheikh and saw this myself. He would quote from the Qur'an as if it appeared all on one page in front of him. He considered the Qur'an as the first source for a Da'ee (caller). He believed that it should be the supreme judge over all other sources, such as the Sunnah, Qiyass (comparing of cases), and consensus. He believed that the Qur'an is the pivotal and fundamental source of `Aqeedah and Shariah, (Faith and God's Commands). Sheikh Al-Ghazaly was a man of the Qur'an by all means. He saw things in the verses of the Qur'an that nobody else would see easily.

Sheikh Al Ghazali formed a group with some other scholars from Al-Azhar. This group's slogan was "Religion at the Service of the Masses". This slogan was a response to those who say, "Religion is the Opium of the Masses". Sheikh Al-Ghazaly wrote this slogan on the covers of his first and second book.

Sheikh Al-Ghazaly would judge real life situations, Fiqh, Qiyass, and virtually everything by the words of the Qur'an. That is why he used to refuse accepting anything that contradicts the teachings of the Qur'an.

His second tool was his encyclopedic knowledge. Sheikh Al-Ghazaly was one of the most eloquent writers of the Ummah (Muslim nation). He was so keen not to make any grammatical or semantical mistakes. He, like the excellent Azhari scholars, had a firm linguistic and religious background.

This is the reason behind his flawless writing and highly articulate speech. If he ever made a mistake, he would confess and apologize. One day he was so emotional while speaking, and so made a grammatical mistake. He thereafter said, "Strong feelings caused me to err in my speech. I will try not to get so emotional." In his early books he sometimes made grammatical mistakes in conditional statements. When he realized it he simply never repeated such mistake. He used to memorize thousands of verses of poetry. I think he memorized most of the standard Arabic poetical works, if not all of them.

Moreover, Sheikh Al Ghazali had a solid background in Islamic history, particularly the life story of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). He also had a very strong background in the humanities, as well as knowledge in the sciences. Dr. Fahmi Jud'an said that Sheikh Al-Ghazaly was interested in science. Actually, a caller to Allah cannot do without science. Al-Ghazaly also kept up with current affairs occurring around the world.

Logic is another tool that Sheikh Al-Ghazaly excelled. And by logic I mean the logic of the faithful. And in this case, logical reasoning works within and respects the Islamic fundamentals.

Whoever reads what Sheikh Al Ghazali wrote becomes moved by his words. He was sincere. I never listened to him without becoming emotional. The man was talking from his heart and expressing his inner thoughts. He never pretended in his speeches or faked his emotions. He acted quite naturally and never mixed the Islam with anything else.

One day a man came to him and said, "Oh Sheikh, I have committed a sin and would like to repent." He replied: "Who knows, maybe this man is closer to Allah than I am. Maybe because he feels guilty towards his sin, he is closer to Allah than I. Who knows. Maybe my actions are insincere." Sheikh Al-Ghazaly had a tremendous spirituality. He would read a poem that Ibn Al-Rumi wrote and actually cry while reading it.

Sheikh Al Ghazali was a thinker and a scholar, who dedicated his entire life to Islam, and nothing else. He gave Islam his thoughts, heart, tongue, pen, and hard work. He struggled all his life under the banner of Islam. His slogan was: "My Prayers, My Rituals, My life, and My Death are for Allah, Lord of all the Worlds.

He lived with a feeling that always filled his heart – that he was a guard for this religion (Islam), and that he should never allow anybody to attack Islam. He believed that he should always be on guard from internal and external enemies. He believed that he should not only defend, but attack as well. Sometimes attack is the only means of defense. He never rested, because the fight for the Qur'an and Islam is continuous.

It was the Sheikh's destiny to fight on two fronts:

One front was the enemies of Islam; those who hate to see the spread of its light and dislike its return to lead the world. Some of those were international forces that fear or hate Islam. Examples include Zionists, Crusaders, Communists, and Idol worshippers. They have different religions and ways of thinking, but what they have in common is their mission, a dreadful mission to attack Islam and put obstacles in its way.

Allah said about them:

"And those who disbelieve are protectors of one another" (8:73)

Allah also said in the Qur'an:

"And the oppressors are friends to one another" (45:19)

On the other hand there are Muslims carrying Muslim names, like Mohamed, Ahmed, Hassan, Hussein, Omar, and Ali. However, their intentions are evil towards Islam and its callers. They, furthermore, deny its Shariah (God's Commands). Islam is their enemy because it teaches against their sinful lusts, their wild oppression, their hidden agendas, and their excessive greed.

However this doesn't mean that Sheikh Al-Ghazaly was flawless. He was a normal human being. Nevertheless, he was a man of Islam. He lived for Islam and he died for Islam. He remained in the battlefields until the very end and died with his sword in his hand. This was Sheikh Al-Ghazaly.

You might have a different opinion from him in minor or major issues, and in few or many issues. However, if you got to know him well, you could not help loving and respecting him. You would certainly feel how sincere he is to Allah, how honest and how straightforward he is, and how keen he is to defend Islam.

He used to become quickly upset when somebody attacked Islam. When he was upset he was like a sea that floods and a volcano that burns. He hated oppression against himself or against any human being. He could not tolerate deviation, especially if it is disguised in a cloak of piety and religion. Therefore, if he witnessed oppression or deviation he could not remain silent or permit his pen to be idle. The Sheikh, however, never overstepped his boundaries in his enmity. Moreover, Sheikh Mohamed Al Ghazali never slandered his enemies.

The Sheikh was at the same time able to quickly cool down. He would return to the truth upon realizing the extent of his anger. He would not be ashamed to admit making a mistake regarding any particular issue. This is a kind of bravery that is very rare.

May Allah bless Sheikh Al-Ghazaly's soul and gather him with the pious of His servants. May Allah reward him with the best reward He gives to knowledgeable leaders. May Allah reward him for what he did for this Ummah and Islam with the highest reward. May Allah take care of his family and children the best way He does with sincere people. I ask Allah to guide us to follow the Sheikh in his footsteps, to adhere to the truth, to resist falsehood.