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Philosopher · theologian · Writer
A theologian and thinker from the Islamic world. He had a great influence on philosophy, theology, and debates surrounding Sufism. He is an important figure in understanding medieval Islamic thought.
View in catalogBaghdad
Education
The Incoherence of the Philosophers
c. 1095
Book
Islamic theological debates
1090–1111
Movement · Participant
Map: Natural Earth (PD)
Born in the Khorasan region, he studied Islamic jurisprudence and theology. Although he gained enough fame to teach at Nizamiyya Academy, he experienced a mental crisis and reconsidered his way of life as a scholar.
In ``The Philosophers' Contradictions,'' he criticized philosophers and discussed the relationship between reason and faith. He emphasized the inner practice of Sufism and became a bridge between jurisprudence and mysticism.
It is known that he left his job at the height of his fame and began traveling and training. At the heart of his thought was the question that having knowledge and attaining salvation are two different issues.
Ghazali shows that Islamic thought was deeply connected not only to religious doctrine but also to philosophy, ethics, and the educational system. His arguments had a great influence on later generations' understanding of theology and philosophy. It also provides clues for thinking about the relationship between institutions and people.
