A Treasury of Ghazali

(Hardback)

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This collection of short wisdoms from the works of Imam al-Ghazali reflects the broad range of his brilliant intellectual thought. With an emphasis upon literary quality, concision, and concentration of meaning, each aphorism is full of value and significance and typifies the tradition of qawa'id (legal maxims) in the Islamic intellectual sciences. A commentary accompanies each maxim unraveling its wisdom.

Tastefully presented and luxurious in feel, this book is a chamber of spirituality readers will look forward to delving into.

The second title in the Treasury in Islamic Thought and Civilization series, which seeks to present clear introductions to the thought and wisdom of major Islamic intellectual figures, prepared by learned translators.

Professor Mustafa Abu Sway was appointed as the first holder of the Integral Chair for the Study of Imam Ghazali's Work at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa and at Al-Quds University in 2012. He has been professor of philosophy and Islamic studies at Al-Quds University in Jerusalem, Palestine, since 1996. For a number of years professor Sway has also been listed as one of the most influential Muslims in the scholarly world (The Muslim 500, The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre).

Reviews

This wonderful volume is a most welcome edition ... Each of these nuggets of wisdom is ably explained and aesthetically produced.Muhammad Hozien, Ghazali.org

Author Bio

Mustapha Abu Sway is the first holder of the Integral Chair for the Study of Imam Ghazls Work at the Aqsa Mosque and at Al-Quds University in Jerusalem, Palestine. He has been Professor of Philosophy and Islamic Studies at the university since 1996. In addition to numerous academic appointments at Asian and American universities, at the Aqsa Mosque, he teaches al-Ghazls greatest work, the Revival of the Religious Sciences, dedicated to reviving the spiritual disciplines that lie at the heart of Islam. Al-Ghazali (450/1058-505/1111), was born at Tus, near Mashhad in Iran, in the early Seljuq era and studied theology and law at Nishapur. His formidable intellectual abilities soon won him honour and respect at the court of the famous Seljuqi Prime Minister, Nizam al-Mulk, and, while still in his early thirties, he became Professor at Madrasa Nizamiyya in Baghdad and attained great prominence there. But soon he abandoned his professorship for a decade of contemplation and study. He returned for a while to lecture at the Nizamiyya in Nishapur before his death. He wrote a large number of works, which include "Al-Munqidh min al-Dalal" (a biographical account), "Tahafut al-Falasifa"; but his magnum opus remains the "Ihya' Ulum al-Din" in four volumes, compiled during his period of retirement and contemplation.