Sheikh Yusuf al‑Qaradhawi, one of the most influential modern Muslim scholars, consistently praised Imam Abu Hamid al‑Ghazali as an early inspiration. He often cited al‑Ghazali as a major influence, describing Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al‑Dīn as the first book he read in childhood ikhwanweb.com+15fadzilah69.blogspot.com+15al-adaab.org+15Reddit. However, despite this deep admiration, al‑Qaradhawi did not shy away from offering critical reflections on certain interpretations and emphases found in al‑Ghazali’s writing.
Main Criticism: Idealized “Ascetic Mystic” vs. Balanced Islamic Model
In his book al‑Imam al‑Ghazali: Bayna Mādhihīh wa Nāqidīh, al‑Qaradhawi highlights a key point of critique. He argues that al‑Ghazali’s depiction of the “ideal Muslim” often reflects an ascetic mysticism far removed from the example of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his Companions:
“The exemplar man in al‑Ghazali’s vision… is not the person recognized by the Companions, understood through the Qur’an, Sunna, and Sirah.”
Instead, the model should combine worldly engagement with spiritual purpose: working, serving society, and seeking sustenance while worshipping and preparing for the hereafter Malaysiakini.
Thus, al‑Qaradhawi criticizes al‑Ghazali for offering a mystic ideal that may discourage ordinary Muslims from engaging with the world productively and serving society.
Critique of Excessive Zuhd (Asceticism)
Al‑Qaradhawi views aspects of al‑Ghazali’s strong emphasis on zuhd (seclusion and renunciation) with caution. While he respects spirituality, he argues that for the broader ummah, adopting an overly ascetic lifestyle may create an impression that Islam is unreachable for everyday Muslims. Instead, he promotes moderation, asserting that Islam encourages both engagement with worldly duties and spiritual development Malaysiakini.
This perspective aligns with al‑Qaradhawi's broader scholarship: combining jurisprudent understanding (fiqh) with real‑world relevancy and community engagement Wikipedia+15tokoh.blogspot.com+15tamanulama.blogspot.com+15.
Al‑Qaradhawi’s Tolerance and Diversity of Opinion
Al‑Qaradhawi emphasizes tolerance and positive recognition of diverse scholarly views. He argues that fissures over minor issues should not create disunity. His style opposes polemicism—choosing instead to engage on issues that truly affect the ummah and avoiding time-consuming disputes over less critical matters, even when responding to critics Reddit+2Fiqh Islamonlone+2Reddit+2.
From this standpoint, even when critiquing al‑Ghazali, al‑Qaradhawi does so with respect, distinction, and an overarching aim of promoting a balanced religious path.
Root of Al‑Qaradhawi’s Critique
Influence of the Prophet and the Sahaba
Al‑Qaradhawi stresses that the Prophetic model combined spirituality with societal engagement, economic productivity, family life, and community service. He warns that al‑Ghazali’s ideal—focused on spiritual purity and withdrawal—deviates from the lived example of the Companions, who balanced faith and worldliness. For al‑Qaradhawi, that balance represents the proper model for Muslims today tamanulama.blogspot.com+11Reddit+11Wikipedia+11.
Concern Over Ordinary Believers
He observes that many lay Muslims may find al‑Ghazali’s spiritual ideals unattainable or discouraging—so much so that they may undervalue practical acts of worship and community service. Thus, his critique is not of al‑Ghazali’s sincerity or scholarship, but rather of élite models that risk alienating the broader Muslim population.
Areas of Convergence and Divergence
Convergence
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Deep Respect: Al‑Qaradhawi repeatedly acknowledged his admiration for al‑Ghazali and credited him with shaping his early spiritual and intellectual formation Reddit+4Reddit+4Countercurrents+4fadzilah69.blogspot.com.
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Shared Emphasis on Spiritual Ethics: Both emphasize moral transformation and deepening personal worship—but al‑Qaradhawi insists these must be tempered with pragmatic community-oriented action.
Divergence
Theme | Al‑Ghazali’s Approach | Al‑Qaradhawi’s Critique |
---|---|---|
Ideal Muslim model | Mystical ascetic (zuhd, seclusion) | Balanced: spirituality + worldly engagement |
Accessibility for laypeople | Emphasis on elite spiritual disciplines | Practices must be practicable for everyday believers |
Role of world & society | De-emphasized, secondary to inner spiritual life | Central: faith must intersect with economic and social life |
Broader Scholarly Context
Tensions with Salafi‑Wahhabi Thought
Unlike al‑Ghazali, who is firmly rooted in Ashʿarī theology and Sufi spirituality, contemporary Salafi critics often distrust his Sufi leanings. Al‑Qaradhawi, while sympathetic to reformist Salafism, does not align fully with Salafi rigidity and remains more tolerant of diverse jurisprudential traditions ikhwanweb.comfiqhsemasa.blogspot.com.
Historic Disputes with Ibn Taymiyyah
While not directly related to al‑Qaradhawi’s critique, it's noteworthy that earlier scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah criticized al‑Ghazali for what they saw as excessive reliance on Sufism and esotericism. That historic critique differs: al‑Qaradhawi’s criticism emerges not from sectarian conflict but from concern for realistic, communal religious life Wikipediaal-adaab.org.
Implications of Al‑Qaradhawi’s Critique
On Religious Education
He calls for religious instruction that balances deep spirituality with practical ethics and civic responsibility. Muslim education, in his view, should empower individuals to worship, serve, innovate, and work—all while holding firm to Islamic values.
On Islamic Revival and Reform
Al‑Qaradhawi’s perspective supports ijtihād and relevancy. He favours a fiqh that responds to changing realities (fiqh al‑wāqiʿ) and priorities (fiqh al‑awlawiyyāt), steering clear of rigid dogmatism and promoting adaptability within Islamic law to suit modern communities tokoh.blogspot.com.
On Spiritual Approaches
While upholding the importance of Sufism and inner purification, he cautions against models that disconnect Muslim believers from productive worldly life. For him, true iman combines inner faith with outward action.
Conclusion: Thoughtful Critique Rooted in Admiration
Yusuf al‑Qaradhawi’s critique of Imam al‑Ghazali stems from genuine admiration, accompanied by thoughtful concern over the applicability of al‑Ghazali’s ideals to the mass of Muslims today. Al‑Qaradhawi did not reject al‑Ghazali’s scholarship; rather, he called for a balanced model of Islam—one that preserves spirituality without sacrificing sociocultural engagement.
By encouraging moderation and accessibility, al‑Qaradhawi offers a path that seeks to integrate ethics, worship, and worldly contribution, drawing lessons from al‑Ghazali while adapting them to the realities of the modern Muslim ummah.