Beginning of Guidance Ghazali PDF

THE BEGINNING
OF GUIDANCE
Ustadh Ubaydullah Evans
The Beginning of Guidance by Imam Ghazali

SESSION 1
Imam Al-Ghazali’s
Bidayat al-Hidaya is a
highly motivational
manual detailing the
fundamentals of
acquiring guidance
through God-
consciousness
(taqwa). Studying this
text is a great way for
us to make our hearts
sincere to Allah SWT.
Imam Al-Ghazali (rh)
wrote this text after
he traveled across the
Muslim world.
1 p.g. EDUCATION | PRESERVATION | APPLICATION

SESSION 1
Background of Imam Al-Ghazali:

Before beginning to study this text, we have to
understand the background of Imam Al-Ghazali. In
some of the Muslim countries of today’s world, religious
knowledge is not given the highest importance. It has
become an afterthought and lost its grandeur.
In Imam Al-Ghazali’s time it was the complete opposite.
Becoming a scholar was given the highest of status and
fame. One would be able to control flows of money.
People would fight each other to become scholars. It
would not be an exaggeration to describe it as “toxic.”
“Why do we spend so much time talking about Imam Al-
Ghazali? Why is he quoted so much?” These are natural
questions that come up in one’s mind.
Why do we Study Imam Al-Ghazali's Works?

That same toxic culture is one that he personally excelled
in. He attained high status. Generally, there are three
main reasons we study Imam Al-Ghazali:
1. Erudition – he was widely learned
2. Sincerity – towards the faith
3. Credibility – he spoke about the culture he was a part of

Imam Al-Ghazali withdrew from his scholarly circles in
SESSION 1
which he attained great fame, career, and status

because he felt like he lacked sincerity. He attained his
sincerity after traveling and learning for ten years after
leaving his post.
It is important that we learn from his example in our
own pursuit of knowledge. We must be vigilant in our
own studies. If our goal is attention, then we want the
particles of the dunya. We should not learn so that we
may speak knowledge in front of others or have respect
within our circles.
Categories of Students of Knowledge

Imam Al-Ghazali states the three categories the students of
knowledge fall into:
1. The first type are the sincere. Their knowledge is only
provision for the akhirah. It is only to please Allah SWT.
2. The second type are those that begin their journey of
knowledge, but secretly want the glory, but they conceal
it in their heart. But eventually this person acts by what
they learn and corrects their intention.
3. The third type are completely insincere. Shaytaan has a
firm grip upon them. They speak like the scholars but are
nothing like them.

Please keep in mind that these are standards we
SESSION 1
should only look to self-examine ourselves with, not

the scholars we learn from. We should always
assume good of them.
The proper manifestation of knowledge should do two
things:
1. Lead to practice. Otherwise the knowledge is not true if
not reflected in our actions.
2. Build humility. Sometimes we increase in talking more
when we get knowledge when we should be humble.
Next week, Ustadh Ubaydullah Evans will examine the steps

taken towards sincerity.

FAQs
SESSION 1
Q: What is the difference between our current culture and

Imam Gazzali’s culture with respects to
students attaining knowledge?
A: During his culture, ilm mattered and the best
students were known to study it. It held high esteem.
Q: Why are Imam Gazzali’s books so important to ilm and

so revered in Islamic traditions?
A: His irradiation, sincerity, authenticity.
Q: What do miracles that happened to the Prophets

confirm for us?
A: That Allah is always in concern.

Q: What caused Imam Gazzali to have an emotional
breakdown and withdraw from his career?
A:Because he lacked sincerity.

Q: What did Imam Gazzali warn against at the beginning of
his book The Beginning of Guidance?
A: Attaining knowledge to show-off. He said that if that is
your goal then you are striving toward your own
destruction.


Q: What did Imam Muwardi say regarding being the
SESSION 1
selective learner?
A: He said not to be selective about what you want to
learn, start with the basics.
True or False:
Q: You should only focus on learning the easy subjects and
disregard the difficult ones.
A: FALSE

Q: What are the three types of students and what is their
fate?
A: a. The very sincere student who only is attaining
knowledge because they know that they will face Allah SWT
at the hereafter. This student is victorious.
b. The second student begins seeking knowledge for fame
but conceals it within his or her heart. But later on they
start putting actions to their words and become sincere.
They will become victorious as well.

c. The third student is the one who is seeking fame but
SESSION 1
thinks that he or she is sincere because they speak like

scholars.
Quotes
“Don't be like an older student who doesn’t want to start
learning with the young students. Take knowledge from its
root, as the root supports the branches.”
“If the knowledge does not lead to practice, then the

knowledge is not true.”


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THE BEGINNING

The Beginning of Guidance by Imam Ghazali

1 p.g. EDUCATION | PRESERVATION | APPLICATION

Background of Imam Al-Ghazali:

Why do we Study Imam Al-Ghazali's Works?

2 p.g. EDUCATION | PRESERVATION | APPLICATION

which he attained great fame, career, and status

Categories of Students of Knowledge

3 p.g. EDUCATION | PRESERVATION | APPLICATION

should only look to self-examine ourselves with, not

Next week, Ustadh Ubaydullah Evans will examine the steps

4 p.g. EDUCATION | PRESERVATION | APPLICATION

Q: What is the difference between our current culture and

Q: Why are Imam Gazzali’s books so important to ilm and

Q: What do miracles that happened to the Prophets

5 p.g. EDUCATION | PRESERVATION | APPLICATION

6 p.g. EDUCATION | PRESERVATION | APPLICATION

thinks that he or she is sincere because they speak like

“If the knowledge does not lead to practice, then the

7 p.g. EDUCATION | PRESERVATION | APPLICATION

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