Routledge Al-Ghazali's Theory of Mystical Cognition Book

Explore a new perspective on medieval Islamic thought with this scholarly work from Routledge. For a long time, the theologian Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (d. 1111) was viewed primarily as a critic of philosophy who chose Sufism instead. This book challenges that traditional view by presenting evidence that al-Ghazali was actually a major populariser of philosophy within the Islamic world. Through a detailed examination of his work, the author demonstrates how al-Ghazali relied on philosophical foundations for his theories on mystical cognition and eschatology. The text reveals that in these specific areas, he accepted philosophical teachings that were previously thought to be rejected. This volume provides essential insights for students and scholars interested in the relationship between philosophy and mysticism in the Middle East, offering a deeper understanding of how these traditions merged in the life and work of one of Islam's most influential thinkers.