Biography of Imam Al-Ghazali – Philosopher, Theologian & Sufi Reformer
Knowledge without action is wastefulness, and action without knowledge is foolishness.
Early Life & Education
Imam Al-Ghazali (1058–1111 CE), one of the most brilliant minds in Islamic history, was a Muslim philosopher, theologian, jurist, and Sufi mystic whose works transformed the intellectual landscape of the Islamic Golden Age. Known in the West as Algazel, and in the East as Hujjat-ul-Islam (“The Proof of Islam”), Al-Ghazali’s writings still echo in classrooms, mosques, and libraries across the globe.
Born in Tus, Persia (modern-day Iran), Al-Ghazali mastered Islamic law and Ilm al-Kalam (Islamic theology) at a young age. He rose to prominence as a professor at the prestigious Nizamiyya University in Baghdad, where his debates and lectures captivated scholars and students alike. Despite his fame, he experienced a deep spiritual crisis — leaving his position and retreating into solitude to seek truth beyond intellectual theory.
Al-Ghazali’s Revival: Ihya Ulum al-Din and the Balance of Law and Spirituality
Al-Ghazali’s turning point led to the creation of his magnum opus: “Ihya Ulum al-Din” (Revival of the Religious Sciences). This monumental work masterfully wove together Islamic law, spirituality, and ethics, grounding outer practices in inner sincerity. It became one of the most widely read books in Islamic history and a cornerstone of Sunni Sufi tradition.
Through his critique of Greek philosophy, especially in his book “Tahafut al-Falasifah” (The Incoherence of the Philosophers), Al-Ghazali challenged blind imitation and emphasized divine revelation over human logic. His intellectual honesty helped rescue Sunni orthodoxy from extreme rationalism, and at the same time, he legitimized Sufism as a path of purifying the heart within the framework of Shariah.
Imam Al-Ghazali passed away in 1111 CE, but his influence remains timeless. Whether one studies Islamic theology, philosophy, or Sufi ethics, the legacy of Imam Al-Ghazali stands as a beacon of wisdom — harmonizing faith and reason, law and love, intellect and heart. Explore more about Al-Ghazali’s impact at Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy – Al-Ghazali
Quick Facts:
- Full Name: Abu Hamid Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Ghazali
- Born: 1058 CE, Tus, Persia
- Died: 1111 CE, Tus, Persia
- Known for: Ihya Ulum al-Din, critique of philosophy, synthesis of Sufism and Islamic law
- Legacy: Pioneer of Islamic spiritual revival, Islamic philosopher, reformer