Ghazali’s The Beginning of Guidance (Bidayat al-Hidaya)

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Ghazali: The Beginning of Guidance

Imam Ghazali’s Bidayat al-Hidaya is a highly motivational manual detailing the fundamentals of acquiring guidance through God-consciousness (taqwa). Imam Ghazali argues that just as there is an end to this noble objective there is also a beginning to it, which must be made firm for one to achieve success. He then goes on to expound the fundamentals of this “beginning.” While being concise and to-the-point the manual is laid out in the form of a detailed daily timetable providing the reader strong inspiration and much heart-rending counsel. The three sections of this book are on obedience, refraining from disobedience, and the etiquette of companionship with the Creator and with creation. One of Imam Ghazali’s final works, it embodies a lifetime of learning, experience, and spirituality and can be taken as an introduction to his larger works.

This translation published for the first time with facing Arabic text also includes many notes and transliteration for the supplications contained within.

About The Authors

Abu Hamid ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Tusi al-Shafi’i al-Ghazali

Abu Hamid ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Tusi al-Shafi’i al-Ghazali (or al-Ghazzali) was born in 450/1058, in Tus (located in present-day Iran). He studied under the great theologian and jurist Imam al-Haramayn al-Juwayni (478/1085) and produced a number of texts on Islamic law and theology. At the age of 34 he accepted a position as rector and professor of the Nizamiyya College in Baghdad. He remained busy teaching, refuting heresies, and responding to questions from all segments of the community. During this period he produced the celebrated works The Objectives of the Philosophers (Maqasid al-Falasifa), followed by The Incoherence of the Philosophers (Tahafut al-Falasifa), in which he strongly challenged Peripatetic philosophy. Thereafter, facing a personal spiritual crisis, Imam Ghazali abruptly left his position and spent the next ten years in or between the cities of Damascus, Makka, Madina, and Jerusalem. During this period, he wrote the seminal Revivification of the Religious Sciences (Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din), a grand work of forty books outlining the significance and wisdom underlying the practices of Islam. At this point, Imam Ghazali returned to teaching in Nishapur and finally in his birth place of Tus, leaving a legacy of works that synthesized jurisprudence, philosophy, theology, and sufism. Imam Ghazali died in 505/1111 in Tus and in short time was recognized as the reviver (mujaddid) of the century, celebrated ever since among Muslims as the Proof of Islam (Hujjat al-Islam).

Dr. Shaykh Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf Mangera

Dr. Shaykh Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf Mangera is a British Muslim scholar educated in both the Islamic and Western traditions. He memorised the Qur’an by heart and graduated from the Darul Uloom seminary Bury, UK, and later earned a specialised licence to issue fatwa (legal responses) at Mazahir ‘Ulum Saharanpur, India. He earned his BA from the University of Johannesburg and completed his MA and PhD in Islamic Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. He holds an honorary fellowship at The Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought, Amman, Jordan. Shaykh Abdur-Rahman has the unique experience of serving as an imam in Muslim communities on both sides of the Atlantic, eight years in Southern California and over five in the great city of London—and his continued work as an international speaker and lecturer enables him to address and offer pertinent advice on current challenges that face Muslims in the West.

Mashhad Al-Allaf

Dr. Mashhad has taught a wide range of interdisciplinary courses on Philosophy, Religion, Islamic Studies, Ethical Theories, Biomedical Ethics, and Critical Thinking in different universities in the USA, and other places. He is interested in providing a multicultural academic approach to teaching and research.

Dr. Mashhad is interested in human knowledge and learning activities. His interest in multidisciplinary fields has been reflected in his publications; some of his books and articles reflecting a wide variety of topics covering: Western and Islamic Philosophy, 20th century Analytic Philosophy, Islamic Studies, Islamic Sciences, and Ethics.

Islamic Theory of Science – Wissenschaftslehre

Divine Logic
Islamic & Arabic contribution to Science & Technology: Chemistry and Mechanics.
Romantic and Spiritual Love in Islam
The Objectives (Maqasid) of the Islamic Law

About The Publisher

Turath Publishing

Turath Publishing is a leading Islamic book publisher dedicated to preserving and sharing authentic Islamic knowledge based on the Qur'an and Sunnah. Known for its high-quality Islamic books and scholarly publications, Turath Publishing offers a wide range of Sunni Islamic books that combine classical Islamic scholarship with contemporary relevance.

At The Islam Shop, we carefully select books from Turath Publishing to provide our customers with trusted Islamic literature, authentic Islamic books, and reliable resources for Islamic learning. Their collection includes books on Hadith, Tafsir, Aqeedah, Fiqh, Islamic history, Seerah, spirituality, and personal development, helping readers strengthen their understanding of Islam and grow in faith.

Whether you are looking for educational Islamic books, Islamic study resources, Muslim books for beginners, or advanced scholarly works, Turath Publishing offers valuable guidance for students of knowledge and anyone seeking a deeper connection to their faith through authentic Islamic teachings.