The Ansari Thought

Al-Ghaz§l(E|^) (1058-1111) is one of the most famous scholars in the history of Islam, and he is also a philosopher, theologian, Islamic jurist and sufi. So, he is considered to be the epitome of the Islamic orthodox thoughts. This dissertation attempts to introduce and evaluate wholly the main thoughts of al-Ghaz§li and their significances. On the one hand, this dissertation analyses from the perspective of sociology of knowledge the historical and social context in which al-Ghaz§l(E|^)'s thoughts was come into being, and it observes his individual experiences and social elements which activates him to think about and response to the context. In particular, through investigating the roles which the religious intelligentsia plays during the construction of basic ideation in the Islamic Community, it shows the historical, social and cultural circumstances which al-Ghaz§li was facing, and illuminates how he takes on the vocation as an intellectual and how he responds to the circumstance. On the other hand, according to the approach of philosophical history, this dissertation places al-Ghaz§l(E|^)'s thoughts in the whole logic of development of Islamic theology, philosophy and Sufism in order to valuate their contents and significances. It is more important that the author regards the relation of reason-faith as a basic line to understand his thoughts and thinks that all al-Ghaz§l(E|^)'s thoughts can be reduced to his responses or answers to the ultimate thesis. This dissertation shows that during the era of historical turn in Islam al-Ghaz§l(E|^) contributes to adjusting and renovating of basic ideation of Islamic community through his spiritual quest and intellectual endeavor. On the one hand, with his criticism of theology and philosophy, he points to the limits of reason and the borderline between reason and faith in order to defend their respective legitimate rights. Although his critique of reason weakens the independent status of philosophy and reason, al-Ghaz§l(E|^) brings philosophy into Islamic theology and drives the latter to the direction of philosophizing and intellection. On the other hand, along with deepening of his experience and criticism, al-Ghaz§l(E|^) eventually turned to Sufism. Through his intellectual expression, al-Ghaz§l(E|^) tries his best to accept Sufism in the field of Islamic orthodox faith so that he considerably successes in alleviating the tensions and differences between both. So, al-Ghaz§l(E|^)'s thoughts have a very profound impact on Islamic orthodox ideation and even the whole Islamic culture.