Imam Al-Ghazali

Life, Work and Lessons

Discover the illuminating history of how a single man revived Islamic knowledge

Imam Al-Ghazali: Life, Work and Lessons

About The Course

This course will present the life and works of Imam al-Ghazali relating his major influences on current thinking on theory of knowledge, spirituality, politics, education, philosophy, psychology and science. The purpose is to acquaint students with these classical and traditional models of thinking and to drive motivation and the passion of learning, writing, and thinking in the ummah. Imam al-Ghazali was a true role model whose works have influenced great Muslim and non-Muslim thinkers even in the post-modern age. Students will learn about al-Ghazali’s main influencers, reasons for his success and how we can continue the legacy of a man who gave so much to the Muslim world and for generations in the future.

A total of about 70 works can be attributed to Al-Ghazali. His 11th century book titled The Incoherence of the Philosophers marks a major turn in Islamic epistemology. The Incoherence also marked a turning point in Islamic philosophy in its vehement rejections of Aristotle and Plato. The autobiography al-Ghazali wrote towards the end of his life, Deliverance From Error, is considered a work of major importance. In it, al-Ghazali recounts how, once a crisis of epistemological skepticism had been resolved by “a light which God Most High cast into my breast … the key to most knowledge”.

Another of al-Ghazali's major works is Ihya' Ulum al-Din (The Revival of Religious Sciences). It covers almost all fields of Islamic sciences: fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), kalam (theology) and sufism. It contains four major sections: Acts of worship (Rub' al-‘ibadat), Norms of Daily Life (Rub' al-‘adatat), The ways to Perdition (Rub' al-muhlikat) and The Ways to Salvation (Rub' al-munjiyat). The Ihya became the most frequently recited Islamic text after the Qur'an and the hadith. Its great achievement was to bring orthodox Sunni theology and Sufi mysticism together in a useful, comprehensive guide to every aspect of Muslim life and death. The book was well received by Islamic scholars such as Nawawi who stated that: “Were the books of Islam all to be lost, excepting only the Ihya', it would suffice to replace them all.

Course Team

Dr Shoaib Malik

Dr. Shoaib Ahmed Malik

(A scholar and Visiting Researcher at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham (UK))

Shaykh Haroon Sidat

Shaykh Haroon Sidat

(Research Associate, Cardiff University, UK)
Dr. Rafaqat Rashid

Dr. Rafaqat Rashid

(Academic Director, Al Balagh Academy, UK)
Shaykh Amin Kholwadia

Shaykh Amin Kholwadia

(Darul Qasim, Chicago, USA)
Shaykh Amin Kholwadia

Shaykh Mustafa Abu Sway

(Member of Hashemite Fund for the Restoration of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, and the Islamic Waqf Council, Jerusalem)

AT A GLANCE

14 Live Online Sessions

Duration : 4+ months

Sundays, 7 PM - 08.30 PM (London, UK)

Video Recordings Available

Mobile App

Live Q&A

Certificate

Enrol Now

Starts on 27th February 2022

Course Fee:

Pay in Full: £79.99 £69.99

(Considering the prevalent situation due to COVID-19, we are providing Upto 15% scholarship on this Course)

Pay In 4 Installments: £19.99 £17.49 per month

Registration Deadline:

26th February 2022

Al Balagh Scholarship

AlBalagh Scholarship is available for learners who cannot afford the fee.

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Sessions

Session 1

Introduction – Importance of Learning about Imam al-Ghazali

Session 2

The Life of Hujjat al-Islam Imam al-Ghazali

Session 3

Important Works of Imam al-Ghazali

Session 4

Imam al-Ghazali’s Theory of Knowledge Famous and Wise Quotes

Session 5

Imam al-Ghazali Programme of Spiritual Development

Session 6

Imam al-Ghazali’s Theory of Khilafah and Politics

Session 7

Contribution of Imam al-Ghazali in Education

Session 8

Contribution of Imam al-Ghazali in Philosophy

Session 9

Contribution of Imam al-Ghazali in Psychology

Session 10

Contribution of Imam al-Ghazali in Science

Session 11

What is the Legacy of Imam al-Ghazali

Session 12

Lessons Learnt

Course Overview

The Life and Works of the Proof of Islam- Imam al-Ghazali Abū Ḥāmid Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad al-Ṭūsiyy al-Ghazali (d. 505/1111) or Algazel as he is commonly known as in the western world, was a Persian polymath, who was one of the most prominent and influential philosophers, theologians, jurists, logicians and mystics of Islam.

Some Muslims consider him to be a Mujaddid, a renewer of the faith who, according to the prophetic hadith, appears once every century to restore the faith of the ummah. His works were so highly acclaimed by his contemporaries that al-Ghazali was awarded the honorific title “Proof of Islam” (Hujjat al-Islām).

Al-Ghazali believed that the Islamic spiritual tradition had become moribund and that the spiritual sciences taught by the first generation of Muslims had been forgotten. This belief lead him to write his magnum opus entitled Iḥyā’ ‘ulūm ad-dīn (“The Revival of the Religious Sciences”). Among his other works, the Tahāfut al-Falāsifa (“Incoherence of the Philosophers”) is a significant landmark in the history of philosophy, as it advances the critique of Aristotelian science developed later in 14thcentury Europe. He studied under al-Juwayni, the distinguished jurist and theologian and one of the most outstanding Muslim scholars of his time in Nishapur.

Al-Ghazali had an important influence on both later Muslim philosophers and Christian medieval philosophers. Margaret Smith writes in her book Al-Ghazali: The Mystic (London 1944): “There can be no doubt that al-Ghazali’s works would be among the first to attract the attention of these European scholars” (page 220). Then she emphasizes, “The greatest of these Christian writers who was influenced by al-Ghazali was St. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274), who made a study of the Arabic writers and admitted his indebtedness to them.

The focus of his religious philosophy was arguing that the creator was the centre point of all human life that played a direct role in all world affairs. Al-Ghazali's influence was not limited to Islam, but in fact his works were widely circulated among Christian and Hebrew scholars and philosophers. Some of the more notable philosophers and scholars in the west include David Hume, Dante, and St. Thomas Aquinas. Moses Ben Maimon, a Jewish theologian, was deeply interested and vested in the works of Al-Ghazali. One of the more notable achievements of Ghazali was his writing and reform of education that laid the path of Islamic Education from the 12th to the 19th centuries. Al-Ghazali's works were heavily relied upon by Islamic mathematicians and astronomers such as At-Tusi.

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Imam Al Ghazali
Philosophy

Key Objectives

This course aims to:

  • Explore the life and works of Imam al-Ghazali.
  • Study about his contribution to many of the current modern sciences.
  • Discuss what motivated him and how we can imbibe these qualities in us.
  • Learn how we can continue his legacy with similar role models for our future generations.

Explore Relevant Courses/Conferences

Al-Ghazālī’s World View

Al-Ghazālī’s World View

Al-Ghazālī’s World View

Quran and Modern Science

Al-Ghazālī’s World View

Introduction to Philosophy of Religion

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Al Balagh courses recognised or accredited?
Al Balagh courses do not provide an externally accredited or recognised qualification. Our own expert team works at the course content. With over 5000+ learners, we are continuously growing and our vision is to make Al Balagh qualifications renowned worldwide through our expert team, without seeking formal accreditation or recognition from external institutional bodies.
How is this online course structured?
Our online course comprises live interactive online sessions, pre-recorded videos, online course material that include, presentations, reading material & online learning activities. Students may ask questions and get their doubts cleared from their respective lecturers, if any. Our dedicated academic support team will assist you as required.
When will I have access to the online course material?
Upon successful enrollment, you will get access to myAlBalagh (our online learning portal) within 24 hours.
Will I get notification for live sessions?
All students will receive notification for their course live sessions via email and/or course WhatsApp group. You may also check the Course Schedule tab on your dashboard after logging in on our website or Mobile App.
Is it mandatory to attend live sessions?
We always encourage attending live sessions among students, but it is not compulsory for technical course progress of the students.
I missed a live session. Can I get the video recordings?
If you are unable to attend a live session or have missed it, you can view recorded sessions on your course dashboard. You can access all the completed Recordings, PPT and assessments anytime.
Can I download the recordings and watch it offline?
You can download recordings and PPT of the course sessions from the myAlBalagh mobile App for all the enrolled courses.The recordings will be available for students after 48 hours of the live session.
Do I get marks for watching course recordings and presentations?
There are no additional marks for watching the course recordings. Only the module Assessments and the final exam add up to the final score.You can check the individual scores of your Assessments under the Progress tab of myAlBalagh.
I have doubts but I cannot attend the live session. Any other way to ask my questions?
You can discuss your doubts via Course WhatsApp Group dedicated for student discussion or access the Discussion Board on myAlBalagh. It is a platform for you to ask questions, discuss and get your doubts cleared.
When will the final exam be held?
The Final Exam will be held at the end of the course and will be a Graded And Timed Exam.
How do I interact with my classmates?
You can interact with your classmates on our Whatsapp Group exclusive for the course students. Furthermore, you can use the Discussion Board to connect with other course students as well.
How long will I have access to the online course?
You will have access to the online course content for up to 2 years. If you want lifetime access, contact our admin team via Email at [email protected].
I am facing trouble signing into the “myAlBalagh” Online Student portal. What should I do?
In case you find any trouble accessing your account, then please contact us immediately. Our dedicated support team will ensure that your problem gets resolved at the earliest.
How can I apply for the Al Balagh Scholarship?
Al Balagh Academy values seekers of knowledge more than anything. Please visit  here to apply for a scholarship. Our team will assess your application and respond in 2-3 working days.
Are Al Balagh courses recognised or accredited?
Al Balagh courses do not provide an externally accredited or recognised qualification. Our own expert team works at the course content. With over 5000+ learners, we are continuously growing and our vision is to make Al Balagh qualifications renowned worldwide through our expert team, without seeking formal accreditation or recognition from external institutional bodies.
How is this online course structured?
Our online course comprises live interactive online sessions, pre-recorded videos, online course material that include, presentations, reading material & online learning activities. Students may ask questions and get their doubts cleared from their respective lecturers, if any. Our dedicated academic support team will assist you as required.
When will I have access to the online course material?
Upon successful enrollment, you will get access to myAlBalagh (our online learning portal) within 24 hours.
Will I get notification for live sessions?
All students will receive notification for their course live sessions via email and/or course WhatsApp group. You may also check the Course Schedule tab on your dashboard after logging in on our website or Mobile App.
Is it mandatory to attend live sessions?
We always encourage attending live sessions among students, but it is not compulsory for technical course progress of the students.
I missed a live session. Can I get the video recordings?
If you are unable to attend a live session or have missed it, you can view recorded sessions on your course dashboard. You can access all the completed Recordings, PPT and assessments anytime.
Can I download the recordings and watch it offline?
You can download recordings and PPT of the course sessions from the myAlBalagh mobile App for all the enrolled courses.The recordings will be available for students after 48 hours of the live session.
Do I get marks for watching course recordings and presentations?
There are no additional marks for watching the course recordings. Only the module Assessments and the final exam add up to the final score.You can check the individual scores of your Assessments under the Progress tab of myAlBalagh.
I have doubts but I cannot attend the live session. Any other way to ask my questions?
You can discuss your doubts via Course WhatsApp Group dedicated for student discussion or access the Discussion Board on myAlBalagh. It is a platform for you to ask questions, discuss and get your doubts cleared.
When will the final exam be held?
The Final Exam will be held at the end of the course and will be a Graded And Timed Exam.
How do I interact with my classmates?
You can interact with your classmates on our Whatsapp Group exclusive for the course students. Furthermore, you can use the Discussion Board to connect with other course students as well.
How long will I have access to the online course?
You will have access to the online course content for up to 2 years. If you want lifetime access, contact our admin team via Email at [email protected].
I am facing trouble signing into the “myAlBalagh” Online Student portal. What should I do?
In case you find any trouble accessing your account, then please contact us immediately. Our dedicated support team will ensure that your problem gets resolved at the earliest.
How can I apply for the Al Balagh Scholarship?
Al Balagh Academy values seekers of knowledge more than anything. Please visit  here to apply for a scholarship. Our team will assess your application and respond in 2-3 working days.

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