Reflections from Bidayat ul-Hidayah
“If you ask, ‘What is the beginning of guidance, that I may test myself thereby?’ Know that its beginning is the outward form of God-consciousness (taqwā) and its end is the inward reality of God-consciousness. Hence, there is no ultimate bliss except through God-consciousness, and guidance does not come but to those who are conscious of Allah.” (Imam Ghazāli)
Time: The Unseen Treasure
We live in an age where distraction is only a click away. The phrase “killing time” is casually thrown around, as though time itself were not one of the greatest gifts Allah SWT has granted us. Yet our beloved Prophet ﷺ reminds us:
نِعْمَتَانِ مَغْبُونٌ فِيهِمَا كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ، الصِّحَّةُ وَالْفَرَاغُ
“There are two blessings that many people are deceived into losing: health and free time.” (Bukharī 6412).
A Religion of Purpose
Islam is not just a religion of rituals; it is a complete way of life. A divine framework to live with purpose, intention, and direction. And in his profound work, Bidayat al-Hidayah (The Beginning of Guidance), Imam al-Ghazālī offers a practical roadmap for those seeking to live such a life with sincerity.
This is not to say that we must be productive every single moment of our lives and that we cannot take time to slow down, but instead, a reminder to live with purpose and intentionality. We often feel as though we never have enough hours in the day, and that we can never achieve all that we have set out to do. But through this text we are reminded that intentionality can allow us to lead more fulfilling and meaningful lives; that ibādah is an attitude toward life and includes the ultimate goal. It is the objective to reach Allah in the next life and hence, any action with that purpose can become an ibādah.
Daily Life as Worship
In this work, Imam al-Ghazālī doesn’t begin with abstract theology. Instead, he begins practically with a blueprint of how to make the most of every day. He walks us through a “day in the life” of a conscious believer: from the moment they wake up to the moment they return to sleep. Every seemingly mundane action can become meaningful. Every moment can become an opportunity for closeness to Allah.
His message is clear: our day should revolve around our ṣalāh and ʿibādah - not the other way around. Even the smallest acts - brushing our teeth, choosing which side to sleep on, greeting others - can be done in alignment with our ultimate purpose. When we live with this level of intentionality, our entire day becomes worship.
Imam al-Ghazālī, reminds us that transformation doesn’t begin with grand gestures, but with consistency in the small, everyday choices. The way we wake, the way we pray, the way we carry ourselves - all of it is either drawing us nearer to Allah or pulling us away.
The Role of Intentionality
Many of us have heard the hadith of our Nabī ﷺ:
إِنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّةِ وَإِنَّمَا لاِمْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى
“Indeed actions are judged by intentions, and a person will only have that which he intended.” (Bukharī 1)
“Know that Allah Most High is closely observing your innermost heart; He beholds your inner and outer being. No thought, moment, or step of yours escapes His regard, nor any of your moments of stillness or movement. Both in the company of others and in the solitude of yourself, you are ever in His presence.” (Imam Ghazāli)
Intentionality is the foundation of a believer’s actions. It transforms the ordinary into worship and ensures that every deed carries weight in the sight of Allah. When we act with a sincere intention - seeking His pleasure alone - our efforts, whether big or small, are elevated and are enriched with meaning. This consciousness - that Allah can see our inner and outer being at all times - reminds us that our actions are not merely external, but rooted in the state of our hearts. By aligning our intentions with sincerity, we cultivate a life of mindfulness, purpose, and closeness to our Creator.
Outward Piety and Avoiding Sin
Interestingly, Imam Ghazāli begins Bidayat al-Hidayah by grounding the reader in acts of devotion to Allah, before shifting to the topic of avoiding sin. This order is not accidental – rather it reflects a deeper scholarly discussion on whether engaging in good or refraining from evil holds greater weight.
Al-Ghazālī’s sequence implies that the foundation of transformation begins with cultivating consistent good habits, which then strengthens one’s ability to guard against sin. He explains that avoiding sin is often harder than performing acts of worship because sins involve multiple faculties—eyes, ears, tongue, and limbs—each requiring evaluation and discipline.
“Make your greatest effort that He does not find you present where He has forbidden you to be, nor find you absent from where He has commanded you to be. You will never be capable of this unless you manage your time and organise your routine of worship from morning to night.” (Imam Ghazāli)
Only after this personal refinement does he turn to how we interact with others; whether that be our teachers, peers, family members, and even strangers. In doing so, he reminds us that the way we engage with the world is only as sincere and effective as the state of our own hearts. Reform begins within, before it radiates outward.
Parallels with Modern Self-Help
Modern self-help rhetoric echoes a principle that Imam al-Ghazālī articulated centuries ago: the power of small, consistent actions.
Self help books - which have grown in popularity recently - in contemporary society interestingly have a focus on habit stacking, or habit building. Books like, Atomic Habits by James Clear, have a primary call to action; that small, consistent changes i.e. atomic habits compound over time into remarkable results. We don’t need massive overnight transformations - we just need small, steady improvements.
Furthermore, modern psychology highlights the value of meditation and taking time to reflect. Is this not precisely based one of the many benefits offered by our five daily prayers? A few minutes of prescribed connection to our Creator, allowing us to realign our priorities and take time to disconnect from the dunya.
Likewise, there has been an increase in ‘gratitude practices’ as a means of cultivating mindfulness and contentment; whether it’s journaling three things you’re thankful for or pausing to reflect on blessings. As believers, we see that Islam has long given us a deeper, divinely guided form of this practice.
The post-prayer adhkār of SubḥānAllāh, Alḥamdulillāh and Allāhu Akbar are not only words of remembrance but also anchors of gratitude. They remind us to acknowledge Allah’s perfection, to express thanks for every blessing, and to affirm His greatness over all things. Unlike fleeting trends, these timeless adkhār nurture the heart daily, turning gratitude into a constant state of being rather than a passing exercise.
Self-help and positive psychology also reminds us that we need to discipline ourselves to achieve success not just at an individual level, but even on a global scale. In discussions of positive psychology, we see the effects of achieving goals on an individual. The motivation and the want for success in that individual increases. In the same way, when we give purpose to our actions, and when we ground them in an intention that is connected to our purpose and then complete said actions, we are motivated and inclined to continue to strive towards our primary purpose - achieving closeness to Allah.
The Weight of Time
So consider this: spending just two hours a day on our phones adds up to over five years by the time we’re sixty. Five years. Imagine what we could build, learn, or achieve in that time - if only we were more mindful of how we spend each moment. While technology itself isn't inherently harmful, our unchecked habits can slowly chip away at our imān.
Imam al-Ghazālī calls us to wake up - not just from sleep, but from heedlessness. He urges us to reclaim our day from distraction and treat time as the sacred trust it is. Because time is our life, and how we spend it is a direct reflection of who we are becoming.
Reclaiming Our Lives, Reviving the Ummah
We are living in a time when our ummah faces immense challenges across the globe, and we often ask ourselves, “What can I do?”. The answer begins with reclaiming our own lives. We must detach from the dunya delusion and recognise that every single day is an opportunity to draw closer to Allah and pursue lasting impact.
It is through small, consistent habits - grounded in faith and built with discipline - that true transformation occurs. Just as a whole is only as strong as its parts, a thriving ummah begins with conscious, committed individuals. In the wise words of brother Sami Hamdi: “Move ya ibādullah!”
We will not succeed with grand gestures alone, but with hearts awakened to their purpose. Every act of sincerity, every moment of striving, and every step taken towards Allah contributes to the collective strength of our community. When we nurture our own iman, uphold justice, serve others, and live with integrity, we breathe life back into the ummah. True revival emerges when individuals commit to discipline in their daily lives, creating ripples that extend beyond themselves and build a legacy of faith, resilience, and unity.
A Call to Live Deliberately
Bidayat ul-Hidayah is more than a book - it is a call to live deliberately, to reclaim our time, and to begin the path of guidance with sincerity, one day at a time. Allah says in Surah Ra’d,
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ
“Indeed, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change themselves” (13:11).
We can reflect on this verse and apply it to our own lives. If we are struggling with time management, procrastination or even want to maximise the barakah in our day, we have to refresh our intentions and consider how we are spending each moment of our day. We have to take initiative and from there, Allah will assist us.
“And you dear seeker, will not be able to rise to carry out the commands of Allah Most High until you monitor your heart and limbs in your every moment and every breath, from the time you wake up until the time you sleep.” (Imam Ghazāli)
If you have made it this far, maybe this is your sign to read the book itself. The wisdom and gems in Imam al-Ghazalī’s work have a weight that cannot be summarised in a mere reflection.
May Allah elevate the ranks of Imām al-Ghazālī, for he was truly a luminary of his time, and may we continue to benefit from his timeless legacy. I hope you all love this text and benefit from it as much as I have! BarakAllahu feekum!
Rabiya
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