Muhammad al-Ghazali as-Saqqa

Muhammad al-Ghazali Ahmad as-Saqqa (1335-1416 AH / 1917-1996 CE) was one of the most influential Egyptian Islamic scholars, preachers, and public intellectuals of the 20th century. Born in Nakla al-Inab, Beheira Governorate, he studied at al-Azhar University and became one of its most prominent graduates, receiving his doctorate there.

He joined the Muslim Brotherhood in his youth and was associated with it through the 1940s, but later maintained an independent scholarly position. He was known throughout the Arab world as a preacher of extraordinary eloquence and persuasion. His Arabic style — combining classical scholarship with accessible clarity — made him one of the most widely listened to Muslim voices of his era.

His works addressed Islamic thought, ethics, and the defense of Islam against secularism and Western cultural influence. Among his most important works are Fiqh as-Sirah (Jurisprudence of the Prophet's ﷺ Biography), a widely read Seerah work; Kayf Nafham al-Islam (How to Understand Islam); ad-Da'wah al-Islamiyyah Tastaqbal Qarnahah (The Islamic Call Enters its New Century); and his controversial Fiqh al-Hadith (Understanding Hadith), which generated debate over his approach to hadith authentication.

Muhammad al-Ghazali was sometimes controversial for positions that traditional hadith scholars disputed, but his influence as a preacher and public intellectual was enormous. He passed away in Saudi Arabia in 1996 during his return from Hajj. He is remembered as one of the most gifted Islamic communicators of the 20th century.