An Introduction to Mysticism and Sufism in Ghazali

Zainab Bustani

doi:10.63053/ijrel.60

Authors

Zainab Bustani PhD in Philosophy and Theology - Visiting Lecturer at Vali Asr University of Rafsanjan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63053/ijrel.60

Keywords:

Sufism, Ash'ari school, Kalam, Ghazali

Abstract

Imam Muhammad Ghazali, a famous theologian and jurist, is a world-renowned scholar of Islamic thought. He has left a lasting impact on thought and the course of thought in the Islamic world with his writings. As an Ash'ari theologian, he is considered one of the greatest Ash'ari theologians, along with Baghalani, Imam al-Haramain Juwayni, and Fakhr al-Razi. He has sought to systematically defend the fundamental beliefs of Islam and the Sunni religion by writing books such as Al-Iqtisad fi al-'I'tiqad. And he has been largely successful in this regard. He considers the science of theology to be obligatory and considers his main goal to be the defense of Islamic beliefs and the Sunni religion. In this regard, he does not shy away from arguing with the ideas and sects that, in his opinion, oppose this idea, and has rejected their ideas with numerous writings. In fact, he considers the science of theology to be a therapeutic and protective status. On the other hand, in Ghazali's view, Sufism is not a science, but rather a practical method for achieving faith.

In this article, we aim to provide definitions and explanations of the Ash'ari school and mysticism, and then discuss Ghazali's theological method.

References

Ibrahim Dinani, Gholam Hussein "Ghazali in the Hadith of Thought" with the effort of: Abdullah Nasri, Tehran, Sorush, 1379

Ash'ari, Abul Hasan Ali ibn Lismail, (1405 AH) Articles of the Salamīyīn, Research of Muhammad Muhi al-Din Abdul Hamid, Volume 2, Beirut, Al-Muktab Al-Asriya Publications.

Zarin Koob, Abdah-e-Hossein, Escape from School: On the Life and Thoughts of Abu Hamed Ghazali, Tehran: Amir Kabir 1381.

Shahristani, Al-Millat al-Nahl, Research by Amir Ali Mahna and Ali Hassan Fa'our, 8th edition, Beirut, Dar al-Ma'rifah 1421.

Safa, Zabihullah, History of Literature in Iran, Tehran: Qatra Publishing House 1368.

Ghazali, Imam Muhammad, Collection of Letters of Imam Ghazali, Beirut-Lebanon, Dar al-Kutb al-Ilmiyah 1414.

Ghazali, Imam Muhammad, (Doubt and Knowledge) Al-Munqadh min al-Dalal (The Rescuer from Misguidance) Translated by: Sadiq Ain-e-Vand, Tehran, Amir Kabir 1360.

Ghazali, Imam Muhammad, The Scale of Action, Edited by: Suleiman Dunya, Translated by: Ali Akbar Kasmai, Tehran, Sorush 1376.

Ghazali, Imam Muhammad, Al-Iqtads fi al-I'tiqad, Baghdad: Maktaba Al-Sharq Al-Jadeed 1990.

Ghazali, Imam Muhammad, Al-Qimiyyah al-Sa'dat, edited by Hossein Khadijom, Tehran: Scientific and Cultural 1382.

Ghazali, Imam Muhammad, Ihya' Ulum al-Din, translated by Maw'id al-Din Muhammad Al-Khwarizmi, edited by Hossein Khadijom, Tehran: Scientific and Cultural Publications 1384.

Ghazali, Imam Muhammad, Al-Jam al-Awam an 'Ilm Kalam, edited, commented and presented by Muhammad Al-Mu'tasim Billah, Al-Baghdadi, Beirut: Dar al-Kitab al-Arabi 1985.

Kashani Abd al-Razzaq, Al-Islahat al-Sufiyyah, translated by Muhammad Ali Maududlari, Tehran ,Islamic Propaganda Organization, 1376, No. 2

Mir Bagheri, Seyyed Ali Asghar, "Mystical Thoughts of Mir Damad" A Study in Mir Damad's Opinions and Thoughts 1385.

Walavi, Ali Mohammad, History of Theology and Islamic Schools, Be'sat Publications, Tehran 1385.

Yathribi, Seyyed Yahya, Theoretical Mysticism: A Study in the Evolutionary Process, Principles and Issues of Sufism, Qom: Bostan Book Institute 1387.