Transcript Al-Ghazali Keynote

Al Ghazali – Proof of Islam
• Islam’s greatest
thinker
• Mujaddid
• Renewer of Islam
• Proof of Islamdefender of trends
of thought against
Islam.
Abu Ibn Al Ghazali
Ghazali was born in Tus in Iran in 1058. It
appears that his father may have been a
wool spinner, hence the name, “ghazzal”.
His father, a Dervish, made provision for
Ghazali and his brother before he died in
the care of a Sufi friend. This was to
provide the background for Ghazali’s
impact on Islamic theology a profound
influence on his life and his contribution to
Islam.
The Citadel of Tus
Destroyed by the Mongols in the 13th Century
Ghazali the scholar
• Ghazali was an excellent scholar of
orthodox Islam and belonged to the
Asharite school of theology. He
studied Islamic Jurisprudence and
theology as well as the noted
Islamic philosophers, Al Farabi and
Avicenna.
•
Before long, he was appointed as
chief professor of Nizamiyya in
Baghdad. He was noted for his
Islamic debates and discussions.
Spiritual Crisis
• In 1095, Ghazali had
a spiritual crisis and
retreated from public
teaching. Disposing
of his wealth, he
returned to Tus and
adopted the life of a
poor Sufi.
Release from Worldly Troubles
• In Ghazali’s time, there was a
revival of mysticism. He
himself, helped establish a
community where others
came to join him in the Sufi
Movement.
• Sufi Mysticism gave
Ghazali the opportunity
to rethink and prepare
for the final part of his
productive life.
Lecturing at Nishapur
• In 1106, Ghazali ended his seclusion and
again began lecturing. This time at
Nizamiyya College in Nishapur.
Nishapur once
sat on the
famed Silk
Route
The Ruins of
the ancient
city of
Nishapur.
Mystical Sufism and Ghazali
• Ghazali believed that higher
knowledge could only come
from mysticism as there was
a limit to the knowledge
which came from
rationalism. Thus he
formulated his famous book,
the Incoherence of the
philosophers which was to
synthesise Islamic theology
and philosophy.
Main Works
• Ihya- taught that careful
observance of the duties of
the Shariah law was the
basis of authentic Islamic life
• The Bidayat –dealt with
Sufism and Sufi practices
• Masqasid – Introduction to
the philosophy of Aristotle
and the neoplatonists.
Main Works
• The Mustafa- focused on
the principles of
Jurisprudence.
• The Munqidh – an
exercise in apologetics
critiquing the extremes of
Asharite theololgy
Mujaddid – Renewer of Islam
• Ghazali’s writing had enlightened
Islam and his fame was further
heightened by the acclaim given
to him of Mujaddid – a Renewer
of Islam. Muslims believe that
each century, God chooses a
special person to renew and
revive the Islamic faith. Through,
his writings and rhetoric, and his
impact on the Islamic faith,
Ghazali achieved this prestigious
title. Furthermore, he was also
hailed as “the Proof of Islam”
Contribution to Islam
• Synthesised philosophy,
theology, law and mysticism.
• Strengthened Islamic thought
and theology.
• Proof of Islam title sums up
the impact on Islamic
thought.
• Continues to contribute to
Islamic thought and
understanding.
Impact and Contribution
• His teachings impacted on the
historical period as it made his
works more accessible to the
modern mind of Scholasticism.
Still are relevant today.
• Ultimately, Ghazali’s works have
strengthened Islamic teaching
and made it easier for the
different groups within Islam to
grow together in relative
harmony.
Ghazali giving a sermon in a
Mosque
Impact and Contribution
Ghazali’s tomb
• Islamic followers, through his writings,
gained a greater understanding of
personal and inner faith.
• He reconciled Sufism with orthodox
Islam.
• Through hermeneutics, and exegesis,
he gave greater interpretation to the
Hadith and opened the teachings of the
prophet, Mohammed in the Qu’ran.
• His extensive writing contributed to
Shafi’i and Asharite teaching of Islam.
• His works, even today, continue to be
indispensable to the study of
Jurisprudence, theology, law, and
continue to influence modern Islam.