Islam depth Study Flashcards
Who is Imam Al-Ghazali?
Prominent Islamic scholar, theologian, philosopher & mystic (1058 - 1111CE)
Al-Ghazali lived during the Islamic Golden Age, characterized by economic & scientific flourishing.
What is a contribution?
An action, something given or provided to help achieve a goal, improve, or support others.
What does impact refer to?
The strong effect or positive influence something has on people, situations, or the environment.
Where was Imam Al-Ghazali born?
In Tus, Persia in 1058.
Who did Al-Ghazali study under in Nishapur?
Imam al-Haramayn al-Juwayni.
What significant position did Al-Ghazali hold in 1091?
He was appointed as a professor at Nizamiyyah College in Baghdad.
What major crisis did Al-Ghazali experience in 1095?
A spiritual crisis questioning his pursuits and sincerity.
What did Al-Ghazali do after leaving his academic career?
He traveled through Syria and Jerusalem, devoting himself to prayer, meditation, and writing.
Name one of Al-Ghazali’s major works.
The Revival of Religious Sciences (Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din).
What is the focus of The Revival of Religious Sciences?
Theology, ethics, spirituality, and Sufism.
What does The Incoherence of Philosophers critique?
Critiques philosophers like Ibn Sina and al-Farabi, shifting Islamic thought towards orthodoxy.
What is Deliverance from Error about?
An autobiographical work on Al-Ghazali’s spiritual and intellectual transformation.
What did Al-Ghazali advocate for concerning knowledge?
Defended Sunni orthodoxy, emphasizing Divine Revelation as the highest source of knowledge.
What was Al-Ghazali’s stance on the relationship between reason and faith?
He advocated for a balance between reason and faith.
What impact did Al-Ghazali have on Islamic education?
Reformed Islamic education by integrating spiritual and mystical elements.
What did Al-Ghazali emphasize in his teachings on Kalam theology?
Rejection of the eternity of the world and the reliance on reason alone for ultimate truth.
Fill in the blank: Al-Ghazali is known as _______.
The proof of Islam.
What is the significance of The Alchemy of Happiness?
Covers knowledge of God, self-knowledge, the transient nature of the world, and the path to happiness.
What does Al-Ghazali’s work contribute to Islamic spirituality?
Legitimized Sufism within mainstream Islam and emphasized submission to Allah.
What does Al-Ghazali argue about the limits of philosophy in The Incoherence of the Philosophers?
Reasoning & logic has limits on topics like God & afterlife.
What is one key idea from The Revival of Religious Sciences?
Integration of knowledge, spirituality, and ethical living.
What does Al-Ghazali say about the love of this world?
It is the root of every sin.
What does the quote ‘The world has a beginning, created by the will of God, not by necessity’ signify?
Al-Ghazali’s rejection of the philosophers’ claim that the universe is eternal.
What does Al-Ghazali emphasize regarding submission to God?
It is an inward reality, where the heart surrenders completely to Him.
What is the importance of unity within the Muslim community according to Al-Ghazali?
It maintains the integrity of Islamic faith and collectively strives toward the truth.
Who are two contemporary scholars that reference Al-Ghazali?
Dr. Muhammad Imara and Dr. Tariq Ramadan.
What did Al-Ghazali aim to combat in his works?
Excessive rationalism and to revive the spiritual aspect of Islam.
What was the cultural background during Al-Ghazali’s time?
Diverse, influenced by Greek, Persian, Indian & Arabic cultures.
What did Al-Ghazali promote in education for both males and females?
A comprehensive education combining religious, intellectual, and ethical teachings.
What central tenet of Sufism does Al-Ghazali emphasize?
Inner purification and genuine submission to Allah.
Who is Dr. Imara?
An influential contemporary Islamic scholar who draws on Al-Ghazali’s thoughts in his writings on Islamic theology, ethics, and philosophy.
What is Al-Ghazali’s contribution to Kalam Theology?
He revitalised Islamic spirituality by merging Sufism with orthodox theology, emphasizing inner purification and sincerity in worship.
What did Al-Ghazali emphasize in The Revival of the Religious Sciences?
The importance of inner purification, sincerity, and the heart’s connection to God.
How did Al-Ghazali integrate Sufi practices into mainstream Islam?
By incorporating meditation, contemplation, seclusion for worship, spiritual music, and poetry into the madrasa education system.
What was the impact of Al-Ghazali’s contributions to Sufism?
Legitimised Sufism within mainstream Islam and fostered greater acceptance and unity by emphasizing sincere submission to Allah.
True or False: Al-Ghazali criticized jurists for overemphasizing spirituality at the expense of legalism.
False. He criticized jurists for overemphasizing legalism at the expense of spirituality and ethics.
What did Al-Ghazali advocate for in Islamic education?
A holistic approach integrating intellectual, religious, and spiritual learning.
Fill in the blank: Al-Ghazali emphasized balancing ______ studies with mysticism, moral development, and academics.
Qur’anic
What are the three levels of study in Al-Ghazali’s educational structure?
- Elementary
- Intermediate
- Advanced
What did Al-Ghazali’s works, such as The Revival of the Religious Sciences, contribute to education?
They became foundational texts, shaping intellectual and spiritual development in madrasas.
According to Al-Ghazali, what is the purpose of knowledge?
To attain happiness in the hereafter by drawing closer to God.
What is the definition of Bioethics?
A field of study concerned with the ethics and its implications of biological and medical procedures, technologies, and treatments.
What does Divine Sovereignty mean in Islamic bioethics?
Allah’s supreme authority over life, guiding ethical decisions in medicine and biotechnology.
What is the significance of human life in Islamic bioethics?
Human life is a divine trust, not personal property.
Fill in the blank: In Islamic bioethics, actions must align with principles of ______ and compassion.
justice
What is the role of humans in the context of Divine Sovereignty?
Humans are trustees (khalifa) of God on earth, responsible for caring for themselves and others.
What did Al-Ghazali believe about the integration of legal and spiritual education?
He believed that true Islamic practice requires both adherence to Sharia and inner spiritual cultivation.
How did Al-Ghazali’s contributions influence Islamic learning centers?
His teachings are integrated into the curricula of institutions like Al-Azhar University and International Islamic University Malaysia.
What are some key educational ideals of Al-Ghazali?
- Integration of Religious & Rational Sciences
- Revival of Sufism in Madrasa Education
- Importance of Childhood Education
True or False: Al-Ghazali’s educational approach favored change and innovation over continuity.
False. He favoured continuity and stability in education.
What is the impact of excessive focus on legal rulings according to Al-Ghazali?
It could lead to a rigid and mechanical approach to religion.
What is the Tabula Rasa concept in Al-Ghazali’s educational philosophy?
Children acquire personality and behavior from society, family, and environment.
