Course Team

Nabil Yasien Mohamed (Author of Ghazālī’s Epistemology)

At A Glance

• 12 Live Online Sessions
• Duration: 3+ Months
• Sundays, 7 PM - 8:30 PM (London, UK)
• Video Recordings Available
• Access to Mobile App
• Digital Certificate
• From £14.99 (For 4 Months)

Enroll Now

• Starts on 30th June 2024
• Course Fee:
  Pay in Full: £89.99 £59.99
  Pay in 4 Installments: £14.99 per month
• Registration Deadline: 29th June 2024

Course Overview

Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī (d. 1111), known by the honorific title, the “Proof of Islam”, was one of the foremost scholars and authorities in the Muslim world. The epistemology of a paradigmatic figure like al-Ghazālī is central to Islamic intellectual thought, but also speaks to our modern world. In this course Al-Ghazālī’s World View we embark on a study of doubt (shakk) and certainty (yaqīn) in al-Ghazālī’s epistemology. Al-Ghazālī was no dogmatist or religious zealot, but a scholar with a critical spirit who relentlessly struggled in pursuit of truth and certainty. In this course Al-Ghazālī’s World View we look at al-Ghazālī’s attitude to philosophical demonstration and Sufism as a means to certainty.

In early scholarship surrounding al-Ghazālī, it was assumed that he was a vehement adversary to philosophy and a recluse Sufi. He has often been blamed as the one who single-handedly offered the death-blow to philosophy in the Muslim world. On the other hand, in much of contemporary scholarship, al-Ghazālī has been understood to give preference to philosophy as the ultimate means to certainty, undermining the place of Sufism. Al-Ghazālī is an enigma to many, and continues to invite much discourse. Much of previous scholarship has either focused on al-Ghazālī as a Sufi or a philosopher.

In this course Al-Ghazālī’s World View we embark on a parallel approach in which we acknowledge each discipline in its right place within al-Ghazālī’s epistemology. We analyse al-Ghazālī’s approach to acquiring certainty, his methodological scepticism, his foundationalism, his attitude to authoritative instruction (taʿlīm), and the place of philosophical demonstration and Sufism in his epistemology. This course Al-Ghazālī’s World View will acquaint students with al-Ghazālī’s life and thought, and help navigate the primary literature surrounding his oeuvre.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Introduce Al-Ghazālī’s Life and Thought: Provide an overview of al-Ghazālī’s life, intellectual development, and major works. Explore the historical context that shaped al-Ghazālī’s epistemological inquiries.
• Examine Al-Ghazālī’s Scepticism and Approach to Certainty: Analyse al-Ghazālī’s methodological scepticism and evaluate the role of foundationalism in his epistemology. Explore al-Ghazālī’s quest for certainty and the different means of attaining it.
• Investigate Al-Ghazālī’s Perspective on Philosophy and Sufism: Investigate al-Ghazālī’s views on the relationship between philosophical reasoning and mystical experience (Sufism). Critically assess traditional and contemporary interpretations of al-Ghazālī’s stance on philosophical demonstration and Sufi spiritual practices.

• Explore Al-Ghazālī’s Impact on Islamic Thought: Examine al-Ghazālī’s legacy in Islamic philosophy, theology, and mysticism, and the historical reception and scholarly debates surrounding his intellectual contribution.

Learning Outcomes

• Understanding Al-Ghazālī’s Epistemological Framework: Students will gain a deep comprehension of al-Ghazālī’s approach to doubt (shakk) and certainty (yaqīn) within the context of Islamic intellectual thought.
• Evaluating Al-Ghazālī’s View on Philosophical Demonstration and Sufism: Participants will examine al-Ghazālī’s nuanced stance towards philosophical demonstration and Sufism as a means to certainty.
• Exploring Al-Ghazālī’s Intellectual Legacy: Engage with primary literature and scholarly discourse to navigate the complexities of al-Ghazālī’s intellectual legacy, and impact on Islamic philosophy, theology, and mysticism.

• Integrating Disciplinary Perspectives: Synthesize diverse disciplinary perspectives by acknowledging the roles of both philosophy and Sufism in al-Ghazālī’s epistemology.
• Developing Analytical Skills: Enhance analytical skills through critical assessment of primary texts and scholarly interpretations related to al-Ghazālī, fostering a nuanced understanding of the historical and philosophical context of Islamic intellectual traditions.

MODULES