Renewing Religion: An Overview of Ghazali's Ihya

In this lesson, Shaykh Faraz continues his review of Imam Ghazali’s Ihya with an overview of the chapter on fasting. Imam Al-Ghazali covers both the religious guidance related to fasting as well as the spiritual meanings of fasting. This is so that we can act with intent and understanding of why we engage in the worship that we do. Shaykh Faraz previews Imam Ibn ‘Ajiba’s tafsir of the Fatiha. In the verse “It is You alone we worship and it is You alone we depend upon” (إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ). This verse outlines that we should only focus our intent on Allah alone when we engage in fasting. Furthermore, we should only rely on Allah to complete our fasts as well.

Shaykh Faraz details in his talk the benefits of fasting: [1] One of the benefits of fasting weakens our mere humanness and the material world. Excessive eating and drinking makes heavy our attachment to the material world and the more the material world is real to us the more the subtle reality of spiritual meanings are veiled to us. [2] A second benefit is that it upholds the Divine characteristic of Al-Samadiyyah (Allah is free of all need). When we recognize our complete neediness to Allah through fasting we can also recognize the One who is free of all need. [3] It purifies and softens the heart. Fasting gets you to recognize your weakness which purifies and softens our hearts to turn to Allah. [4] Fasting facilitates feeling lowly and humbled and ridding oneself of arrogance. The lower self is not humbled by anything like hunger. [5] It breaks one’s desire for sin and diminishes the control of one’s lower self over them. Fasting restrains one from certain desires and facilitates refraining from certain sins. [6] Fasting facilitates one having more time for one to focus their time on the spiritual instead of the material. [7] Fasting directs one towards contemplation. [8] It is a shield from the Shaytan.

Shaykh Faraz continues to explain that there are three levels of restraint that one can strive for while fasting: [1] Food and Drink [2] All the things that are displeasing to Allah [3] All the things that distract us from Allah Lastly, the lesson concludes with a reminder that the believer should seek to be with Allah even when they are with people, such that their heart is always busied with Allah no matter what else they are doing of worldly things. In this brief overview of Imam Ghazali’s opus magnum, Ihya Ulum al-Din (Renewing the Religious Sciences), this series will serve as a blueprint for how the believer can bring to life their religion. It will aim to help the believer to not just practice the form of the religion properly, but to also practice it with excellence.

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In this re-broadcasted lesson, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin gives an overview of the chapter on zakat (alms) and charity from the Ihya Ulum al-Din (Renewing the Religious Sciences), the fifth chapter. He highlights the adab (etiquettes) of giving charity that Imam Al-Ghazali mentions in this chapter. Ustadh Amjad also emphasizes the importance of learning the fiqh (legal rulings) of giving zakat, as well as all the other actions of worship that are personally obligatory.

Imam Ghazali says about zakat that it is one of the tests that Allah has placed for the believers. It is also one of the foundational pillars of Islam. Imam Ghazali then says that one of the wisdoms of the obligation of zakat, is because wealth is beloved to people. So sacrificing what is beloved for the sake of Allah is a sign and indication of loving Him. He then goes to outline the different levels of people who give charity. The highest level is to give everything for the sake of Allah Most High, unconditionally. At that level, Ustadh Amjad recounts the example of Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), who gave all of his wealth to the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him for the benefit of the Muslims.

Ustadh Amjad then looks at some of the adab (etiquettes) that Imam Ghazali mentions about giving out zakat and charity. The first one he mentions is giving charity secretly, and the great merit in doing so. Giving charity in private is closer to sincerity and guards from falling it showing off and ostentation. He gives the example of Imam Ali Zain al-Abidin the great-grandson of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and how he used to personally carry money to the poor in the depths of the night.

Another etiquette Ustadh Amjad highlights is to not destroy charity by holding oneself in favor over the person they gave the charity to. Allah says in the Quran that doing so nullifies the charity and hurts the receiver of charity. Imam Ghazali mentions that cure for this is for the one giving charity to see themselves as the ones being in need of help and favor by giving charity.

Finally, Ustadh Amjad advises that when giving charity, one shouldn’t expect anything in return, and do it purely for the sake of Allah, as is mentioned in the Quran. He explains also that one shouldn’t fear decrease in wealth because of giving charity. Rather, the reality is that it is a means of increase and blessing in one’s wealth. In this brief overview of Imam Ghazali’s opus magnum, Ihya Ulum al-Din (Renewing the Religious Sciences), this series will serve as blueprint for how the believer can bring to life their religion. It will aim to help the believer to not just practice the form of the religion properly, but to also practice it with excellence.

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In this rebroadcasted class, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin reviews the chapter on prayer from the Ihya Ulum al-Din (Renewing the Religious Sciences), the fourth chapter. Imam Al-Ghazali emphasized the importance of both the outward and inward in prayer. This condition is in line with the purpose of prayer and that is the remembrance of Allah. Imam Al-Ghazali adds in his book that a condition of prayer to be in a state of awe, humility, and presence in prayer. This condition had not been previously included by the jurists in their detailing of the conditions of prayer.

The Prophet, (peace, and blessings upon him), said: “Whoever’s prayer does not prevent them from vile things and bad things, they have not increased with Allah anything except distance.” The purpose of ibada (worship) is therefore taqwa. That is why one’s character needs to be inline with their outward performance of worship. Ustadh Amjad illustrates this point using various examples and stories of the companions and righteous people, may Allah be pleased with them. Imam Al-Ghazali continues to explain that every action within prayer has a purpose and the overarching goal is to have the utmost reverence of Allah through both the heart and the body. That is why during prostration one humbles the most honored part of our being, our face, to our Lord.

Ustadh Amjad goes on to explain the two causes of distraction during prayer and their remedies: [1] Outward distractions that can be avoided by seeking out a quiet place. [2] Inward distractions that are more difficult to overcome. The way to deal with this is through preparation before beginning prayer by remembering the hereafter and standing before Allah and the severity of the outcome of that day. As well as freeing yourself of any worldly responsibilities prior to prayer so you are not rushed during prayer.

Lastly, Ustadh Amjad reminds the audience that the main purpose of prayer is to bring you closer to Allah and remove the veils (of all worldly things) between you and Him. As such we need to free ourselves of the distractions and bring our hearts to be more present with Allah during prayer and if we do that our prayer will be transformative. In this brief overview of Imam Ghazali’s opus magnum, Ihya Ulum al-Din (Renewing the Religious Sciences), this series will serve as a blueprint for how the believer can bring to life their religion. It will aim to help the believer to not just practice the form of the religion properly, but to also practice it with excellence.

For more SeekersGuidance podcast shows, visit seekersguidance.org/podcasts.

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In this re-broadcast episode, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin continues this series on  Imam Ghazali’s Ihya Uloom al-Din,  with an overview of the Book of the Mysteries of Purification. Imam Al-Ghazali highlights both the outward and inward importance of purification. Imam Al-Ghazali explains both the rulings of purification from a fiqh perspective and the inner secrets of purification.

The chapter begins by describing that the Quranic verses and Hadiths that detail the benefits and rewards for purification. The purification that is intended here is at the basic level the purification of the limbs. However, purification has 4 degrees: [1] Purifying the outward from impurities and vile things. [2] Purifying your limbs from sins and corruption [3] Purifying the heart from blameworthy characteristics and destructive qualities [4] Purifying your innermost core of your being from everything other than the Exalted.

The degrees described above correspond with the degrees of faith and a person will not be able to attain a higher level without attaining the one below it first. When one cleans their limbs they are purifying that which people see, as such, one should be ashamed of facing Allah without purifying your heart upon which Allah gazes.

Lastly, Ustadh Amjad emphasizing that delving into the deeper levels of purification takes work and practice. As you work on these deeper levels of purification you will become someone who is always aware of being in the presence of Allah at all times. In this brief overview of Imam Ghazali’s opus magnum, Ihya Uloom al-Din (Renewing the Religious Sciences), this series will serve as the blueprint for how the believer can bring to life their religion. It will aim to help the believer to not just practice the form of the religion properly, but to also practice it with excellence.

For more SeekersGuidance podcast shows, visit seekersguidance.org/podcasts.

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