Is it recommended to read the book "Ihya' Ulum al-Din" (Revival of the Religious Sciences) by Abu Hamid al-Ghazali?
Both "Ihya' 'Ulum al-Din" by Al-Ghazali and "Qut al-Qulub" by Abu Talib al-Makki deal with the actions of the hearts.
Abu Talib al-Makki is more knowledgeable in and Athar than Al-Ghazali, and his discourse in "Qut al-Qulub" is superior and further removed from innovation, despite the presence of some weak and fabricated hadiths therein.
The book "Ihya'" was influenced by Al-Harith al-Muhasibi's "Al-Ri'ayah" in its treatment of destructive matters. It contains many benefits, but it also includes corrupt material from philosophy, weak and fabricated hadiths, and errors from the Sufis.
In conclusion: It is not advisable for beginners to read this book. An advanced student of knowledge may read it to discern the truth from falsehood within it. It can be substituted with other books such as "Hadi al-Arwah" by Ibn al-Qayyim, "Al-'Ubudiyyah" by Ibn Taymiyyah, or its abridgment "Minhaj al-Qasidin" by Ibn Qudamah.
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