On Reading the Books of Imam al-Ghazali

Question

What is [the ruling on] reading “Kimiya-yi Sa‘adat” (“The Alchemy of Happiness”), “Bahr al-Haqa’iq”, [and] “Ihya’ al-‘Ulum” — the works of Maulana Imam al-Ghazali — or acting upon the rulings found in them?

Answer

Acting upon the rulings relating to spiritual reform (islah) is permissible with the permission of one’s shaykh, while acting upon rulings contrary to the madhhab is not permissible. Studying these books is permissible for a scholar (‘alim); a non-scholar, owing to his lack of familiarity, should exercise caution.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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