Comprehensive Definition
Al-Ghazālī (الغزالى), full name Abū Ḥamīd Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad al-G͟hazzālī, is an esteemed Sunni Islamic theologian, jurist, and mystic. Known as ‘Ḥujjatu l-Islām’ (“The Proof of Islam”), Al-Ghazālī’s influence on both Islamic theology and philosophy is monumental. His extensive writings cover a wide range of topics including jurisprudence, philosophy, and spirituality.
Etymology
The name ‘Al-Ghazālī’ is derived from the Arabic root “غزل” (gh-z-l) which means “to spin,” alluding to his family’s likely involvement in the textile industry.
Background
Al-Ghazālī was born in Ṭūs (modern-day Iranian city of Mashhad) in A.H. 450 (A.D. 1058). After losing his father at a young age, he pursued his formative education under the patronage of a Sufi friend of his father. He went on to study under prominent theologians in Nisapur, eventually earning his reputation at an early age.
Life and Contributions
One of Al-Ghazālī’s profound contributions to Islamic thought is his magnum opus “Iḥyāʾu ʿUlūmi ʾd-Dīn” (Revival of Religious Sciences). This encyclopedic work synthesizes theology, philosophy, and Sufi mysticism into a coherent religious framework, working to unify orthodox Islamic practices with esoteric Sufi spirituality. His other notable works include “Tahāfut al-Falāsifah” (The Incoherence of the Philosophers), where he criticized the Neoplatonism of Islamic philosophers like Avicenna.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
Al-Ghazālī’s expanse of work highlights the cultural and spiritual connections between different sects within Islam. While he remains a figure of great reverence in Sunni Islam, his thoughts on Sufism have significantly influenced Shia scholarship as well.
Synonyms
- Ḥujjatu l-Islām
- Proof of Islam
- Al-Ghazālī of Ṭūs
Antonyms
- Philosophers criticized in “Tahāfut al-Falāsifah”
Related Terms with Definitions
- Sufism: A mystical Islamic belief system focusing on the inward search for God and shunning materialism.
- Iḥyāʾu ʿUlūmi ʾd-Dīn: Al-Ghazālī’s magnum opus, combining Islamic laws, theology, and mysticism.
- Tahāfut al-Falāsifah: Al-Ghazālī’s treatise refuting the philosophy of predecessors like Avicenna and Al-Farabi.
Exciting Facts
- Al-Ghazālī’s impact on Islamic thought is paralleled by some to that of Augustine in Christian theology.
- In “Tahāfut al-Falāsifah,” Al-Ghazālī pronounced 20 points of disagreement with the Islamic Neoplatonists, concluding some philosophical ideas as heretical.
Quotations from Notable Writers
- Al-Ghazālī said, “Desires make slaves out of kings and patience makes kings out of slaves.”
- Michel Baudin remarked, “If Western philosophy owes a debt to Aristotle, Islamic philosophy is equally in the debt of Al-Ghazālī.”
References
- Bouyges, Maurice. Essai de Chronologie des Œuvres de Al-Ghazālī, 1959.
- Frank Griffel. Al-Ghazālī’s Philosophical Theology, 2009.
- Eric Ormsby. Theodicy in Islamic Thought: The Dispute over Al-Ghazali’s “Best of All Possible Worlds,” 1984.
Suggested Literature and Sources for Further Studies
- Al-Ghazālī, Abū Ḥamīd. The Incoherence of the Philosophers (Tahāfut al-Falāsifah).
- Griffel, Frank. Al-Ghazali’s Philosophical Theology.
- Jansens, Peter J. & Miller, William R. eds. Cross-referencing Al-Ghazālī’s Influences in Medieval Islamic Philosophy.
Inspirational Farewell
Understanding Al-Ghazālī means embarking on a journey towards the confluence of rationality, spirituality, and empirical scholarship within the Islamic tradition. As you delve into his profound world of thought, may you find the merging streams of wisdom that transcend time and tradition.
