Analysis of Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali
Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali (1058-1111 CE) is regarded by scholars as an Islamic intellectual giant. He is one of the greatest teachers and interpreters of Islam, other than Muhammad. Born in 1058 CE in Tus, (in what is now known as Khorasan, Iran), he was a well educated man, having been taught in school in his early adulthood, studying under a distinguished theologian, al-Juwayni in Nishapur. Because of his privileged upbringing and intellectual capabilities at that time, he brought into existence various manuscripts on Islamic theology and law, which are still being used in the present. Al-Ghazali lived during the period known as the 'Golden Age of Islam' (750-1258 CE), a period of growth in the mastery of art, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and music. After his years of study, he later moved on to easing the political struggles of his time by writing religious treatises. He was later appointed the position of rector and professor of the Niz
He interpreted incomprehensible verses of the Qur'an, and interpreted the hadith. Afterwards, Al-Ghazali resigned as professor for pilgrimages between the cities of Mecca, Medina, Tus, and Damascus, during a period of ten years. He produced two of his most important texts, "The Intentions of Philosophers" and "The Incoherence of Philosophers". Therefore, Al-Ghazali re-established an orthodox religion by modifying the approaches towards Sufism and its ramifications. His integration between faith, reason and mysticism has made him accessible in the modern age. Greek philosophy in his time, including Neoplatonic philosophy, was accepted and further developed by a number of Muslim philosophers which was later to lead to conflictions in Islamic teachings. Al-Ghazali's reconciliation of orthodox Sunni theology with Sufi (Tasawwuf) mysticism is the main catalyst to his position as the greatest teacher and interpreter. Al-Ghazali was a very prominent contributor in the areas of philosophy, religion and especially Sufism. ' The concern towards Sufism was an attempt to introduce into the personal life a kind of spirituality that was not possible by just adhering to the Five Pillars of Islam; Muslims wanted to feel as close to Allah as possible. Thomas Aquinas who re-established orthodoxy to Christians in the Western world. He linked theology, Muslim law (Shari'a) and Sufi mysticism. By interpreting and utilising the power of philosophy, Al-Ghazali was able to present his personal views against his critics, and by combining faith and logic together, it is probably the most paramount reason on why his work has survived today and is incorporated in the works of other Islamic teachers and interpreters. Baghdad, at this time was considered the intellectual centre of the known world.
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