AL-GHAZALI IN LITERATURE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HIS BIOGRAPHY AND THE ISSUE OF FAITH AND GOOD DEEDS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33102/abqari.vol8no0.137Keywords:
faith, good deeds, Sufism, Ash‘arite schoolAbstract
This study offers a brief analysis on some biographical works on Imam al-Ghazali and his view on the issue of faith and good deeds through examination of various relevant literature. Imam al-Ghazali has been regarded as one of the world’s most influential thinkers as well as the greatest scholar Islam has ever produced. The life, teaching and thought of al-Ghazali have attracted the attention of many scholars, both Western and non-Western. The influence of al-Ghazali is not limited within his own tradition, but is felt both in the East and the West, reaching Jewish and Christian traditions. This study is theoretical in nature, and it involves bibliographic/library research. It surveys and offers a brief analysis of some literatures—mostly in English—that are relevant to al-Ghazali’s biography and his view on the issue of faith and good deeds. This study found that although there are some critical assessments and misunderstandings of al-Ghazali’s life and views, majority of literature consulted acknowledge his great scholarship and contributions in many aspects. Al-Ghazali did not remain indifferent but indeed ardently refuted the various interpretations related to the issue of good deeds which he considered as heretical. The research also shows that not only al-Ghazali always emphasised the observance of religious commandments, but he also breathed spirituality and gave deeper content and insight into the religious life.
Keywords: faith, good deeds, Sufism, Ash‘arite school
Abstrak
Kajian ini mengemukakan analisis ringkas mengenai penulisan tentang biografi Imam al-Ghazali dan pandangan beliau mengenai isu iman dan perbuatan baik melalui kajian terhadap pelbagai literatur yang berkaitan. Imam al-Ghazali dianggap sebagai salah seorang daripada pemikir paling berpengaruh di dunia dan juga ulama yang paling besar yang Islam pernah hasilkan. Kehidupan, pengajaran dan pemikiran al-Ghazali telah menarik perhatian ramai sarjana, samaada dari Barat dan bukan Barat. Pengaruh al-Ghazali tidak terhad dalam tradisinya sendiri, tetapi turut melebar ke Timur dan Barat, merangkumi tradisi Yahudi dan Kristian. Kajian ini adalah teoritikal yang menggunakan kajian bibliografi/perpustakaan. Kajian ini membuat analisis ringkas mengenai beberapa literatur—majoritinya dalam Bahasa Inggeris—yang berkaitan dengan biografi al-Ghazali dan pandangan beliau mengenai isu iman dan perbuatan baik. Kajian ini mendapati bahawa walaupun terdapat beberapa penilaian kritikal dan salah faham tentang kehidupan dan pandangan al-Ghazali, majoriti literatur mengakui kesarjanaan dan sumbangan besar beliau dalam pelbagai aspek. Al-Ghazali tidak berdiam diri tetapi sebaliknya bersungguh-sungguh menolak pelbagai tafsiran menyeleweng yang berkaitan dengan isu perbuatan baik, yang dilihatnya sebagai bid‘ah. Kajian ini turut menunjukkan bahawa bukan sahaja al-Ghazali sentiasa menekankan pematuhan perintah-perintah agama, tetapi beliau juga telah menghembuskan nafas kerohanian dan memberikan pandangan dan kandungan yang lebih mendalam kepada kehidupan beragama.
Katakunci: iman, perbuatan baik, sufi, aliran al-Ash’ariyyah
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