Description
Book SynopsisThe Muslim theologian al-Ghazali, who was active at the turn of the 12th century in Iran, Iraq, and Syria, was one of the most influential theologians of Islam. In this book, Frank Griffel will present the most comprehensive examination to date of the life and thought of this important figure. The book is divided into two parts. In the first, Griffel gives an account of what it known about al-Ghazali''s life, offers brief discussions of his major works, and examines the legacy of his thought by tracing the lineage of his students and followers. In the second part, he provides a systematic exploration of al-Ghazali''s theology. He explicates al-Ghazali''s views on epistemology, cosmology, physical theory, creation, ethics, theodicy, and a host of other topics. Throughout, he offers a serious revision to traditional views of al-Ghazali, showing that his most important achievement was the creation of a new rationalist theology in which he transformed the Aristotelian views of thinkers suc
Trade Reviewrefreshing and informative. * Muhammad Khan, The Muslim News *
This is an illuminating book, both in its form and its substance, and it is possible for the avid reader of the history of Islamic thought initially to become excited when skimming through its contents * Veysel Kaya, Ilahiyat Studies *
Table of ContentsChapter One: A Life Between Public and Private Instruction: Al-Ghaz?l?'s Biography ; Chapter Two: Al-Ghaz?l?'s Most Influential Students and Followers ; Chapter Three: Al-Ghaz?l? On the Role of falsafa in Islam ; Chapter Four: The Reconciliation of Reason and Revelation Through the "Rule of Interpretation" ; Chapter Five: Cosmology in Early Islam-Developments that Led to al-Ghaz?l?'s Incoherence of the Philosophers ; Chapter Six: The Seventeenth Discussion of the Incoherence of the Philosophers ; Chapter Seven: Knowledge of Causal Connections is Necessary ; Chapter Eight: Causes and Effects in the Revival of the Religious Sciences ; Chapter Nine: Cosmology in Works Written After the Revival
