Is it permissible to read the book *Ihya' 'Ulum al-Din*?

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, what is your opinion regarding the book *Ihya' 'Ulum al-Din* by Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, the proof of Islam, and his words on Sufism?

Answer:
The book *Ihya' 'Ulum al-Din* by Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali contains both truth and falsehood. It has useful matters and beneficial discussions, but it also contains the terminology and symbols of the Sufis, which involve much confusion. It is a mixed book that is not suitable for anyone to read except a student of knowledge who is well-established and can distinguish between truth and falsehood, so that he may take from its benefits and avoid the dangers it contains.
Imam Ibn al-Jawzi wrote a book titled *Minhaj al-Qasidin*, intended as a refutation of al-Ghazali's *Ihya'* and as a substitute for it for the people of the Sunnah. They should read *Minhaj al-Qasidin* and be content with it instead of *Ihya'*. A summary of *Minhaj al-Qasidin* by Ibn Qudamah is now available, and this is currently in the hands of students of knowledge.