Return of the Pharaoh. Zainab Al-Ghazali

not help putting my head in my hands and crying bitterly. I believed that al-Banna was right. He was the Imam that all Muslims must pledge allegiance to, in order that they struggle for the return of Muslims to their position of responsibility and true existence, and can implement Allah’s commands. I felt that al-Banna was stronger than me and franker in disseminating and announcing the truth. His boldness and courage are two characteristics which all Muslims must have. I asked my secretary to contact Brother ‘Abd al-Hafiz al-Saifi whom I wanted to convey a verbal message to al-Banna, reminding him of my pledge to him at our last meeting. When al-Saifi returned with al-Banna’s greetings and prayers, I requested my brother Muhammad al-Ghazali al-Jubaili to take, or ask his wife to take, a note to al-Banna. That short note read:

      Sayyidi² Imam Hasan al-Banna,

      Zainab al-Ghazali presents herself today devoid of everything except her servitude to Allah and her enslavement in the call to Him. You are today the only person who can do to this Ummah something for the Call to Allah in a way that pleases Him.

      Waiting for your instructions and orders.

      Shortly afterwards, my brother informed me that a brief appointment in the Muslim Youth³ (al-Shubban al-Muslimun) Headquarters between myself and al-Banna had been arranged. We were to make out that this meeting took place purely by coincidence. In any case, I was not short of excuses to visit the establishment, for I was about to deliver a lecture there. As arranged, al-Banna and I bumped into each other whilst using the stairs at the Headquarters. Candidly, and without hesitation, I volunteered: ‘I pledge allegiance to you for the establishment of the Islamic State. The least I can give for this, is shedding my blood and merging the Muslim Ladies Group with the Ikhwan.’

      ‘I accept the pledge, but the Muslim Ladies Group remains as it is.’

      We left each other with an agreement that further contact would be made via my brother’s house.

      The first thing al-Banna charged me to do was to mediate between al-Nahhas and the Ikhwan. Mustafa al-Nahhas⁴ who was, then, out of office, designated the late Amin Khalil as the person in charge of clearing up the misunderstanding between the two parties. Al-Banna consented, and I was to be the contact.