Quora Answer: What is the Role of Imam Abu Hamid Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Ghazali (r.a.) in the Downfall of the Ummah?

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “What is the role of ‘al-Ghazali’ in the downfall of the ummah?” 

None whatsoever.  Imam Abu Hamid Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Ghazali (r.a.) was one of the greatest Muslim theologians.  There is a reason why he is known as al-Hujjatullah, “the Proof of God”.  Regardless, one man cannot possibly be that influential. 

The decline of the ummah came about because of one thing, which the Prophet (s.a.w.) prophesied, that is the Muslims would choose dunya over akhirah, and Allah (s.w.t.) would Take Away their success.  In real terms, it is due to the ossification of Muslim thought, and the decline of civic society, which rotted out civilisation from within.  It is the same with all civilisations.



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