Doctrine, Islamic, Isma'ilis (Islamic sect)

Al-Ghazali and the Ismailis

Name: Al-Ghazali and the Ismailis
Author: Farouk Mitha
ISBN: 9781860648199

by Farouk Mitha

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Overview

Abu Hamid Muhammad al-Ghazali (450/1058-505/1111) is arguably one of the most influential thinkers in the history of Islam and his writings have received greater scholarly attention in the West than those of any other Muslim scholar. This study explores an important dimension of his thought that has not yet been fully examined, namely, his polemical engagement with the Ismailis of the Fatimid and early Alamut periods. Al-Ghazali wrote several texts in refutation of the Ismailis, of which the most detailed is the Kitab al-Mustazhiri. The author examines the key themes and arguments in this text, and analyses the ways in which al-Ghazali was influenced by the Ismailis. Al-Ghazali's debate with the Ismailis constitutes an important chapter in the history of Muslim thought and this book explores the wider intellectual and political significance of this encounter, especially the central tensions and questions of the age in which al-Ghazali lived.

Synopsis

Al-Ghazali is arguably one of the most influential thinkers in the history of Islam, and his writings have received greater scholarly attention in the West than those of any other Muslim scholar. This study explores an important dimension of his thought that has not yet been fully examined, namely, his polemical engagement with the Ismailis of the Fatimid and early Alamut periods.

Published in association with The Institute of Ismaili Studies.