Question

Is this authentically attributed to Imam Ghazali (rahimahullah)?

“Turning a hungry lion upon an ‘Abid (worshipper) is not as detrimental to him as a handsome lad left before him.”

Answer

This is not the statement of Imam Ghazali (rahimahullah).  Rather, Imam Ghazali (rahimahullah) has cited this narration in Ihya ‘Ulumid Din as the statement of a Tabi’i.

(Ihya ‘Ulumid Din, vol. 5, pg. 369)

Imam Abu Bakr Ibn Abid Dunya and Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahumallah) have recorded this narration. Baqiyyah ibnul Walid says: “A Tabi’i said, ‘I am not as fearful of [letting loose] a harmful predatory animal upon a pious youngster, more than I fear allowing a beardless youngster to sit by him.'”

(Dhammul Malahi: 138, Maktabah Ibn Taymiyyah edition, Shu’abul Iman: 5013)

The narration is suitable to quote.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar