Ethical Teachings of Ab mid al-Ghazl: Economics of Happiness

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This book studies the interplay of economic philosophy and moral conduct as reflected in the writings of one of the most renowned scholars in Islamic history, Ab mid Muammad ibn Muammad al-Ghazl (d. 1111). As is well known, Imm al-Ghazl, nicknamed the proof of Islam, contributed immensely to Islamic theology, philosophy, and Sufism or Islamic mysticism (taawwuf). Strikingly enough, al-Ghazl also made seminal contributions to the field of economic thought, but this contribution has been largely neglected, although al-Ghazl dedicated many chapters to what he considered just andShara-based economic conduct in (Muslim) society. This book aims to analyse and revive al-Ghazls understudied contribution to economic thought by emphasizing his economic philosophy and its correlation betweenSharasmoral law and the tradition oftaawwuf, as well as to situate his thought within the context of modern economic theories.

Reviews

Al-Daghistani makes a remarkable contribution to the study of economic thought in classical Islam. A rewarding read. Wael B. Hallaq, Avalon Foundation Professor in the Humanities, Columbia University

The new perspective opened by Al-Daghistani's book on Abu Hamid al-Ghazali's economics of happiness is a remarkable addition to the developing literature on the economic thought of one of the most influential thinkers in Islamic intellectual history. Souleymane Bachir Diagne, Professor, Columbia University

Author Bio

Sami Al-Daghistani is a postdoctoral fellow at the Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society in Osloandan associate faculty member at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research in New York. He is also a research scholar in the Middle East Institute at Columbia University.