Al-Ghazali's "Moderation in Belief"Centuries after his death, al-Ghazali remains one of the most influential figures of the Islamic intellectual tradition. Although he is best known for his Incoherence of the Philosophers, Moderation in Belief is his most profound work of philosophical theology. In it, he offers what scholars consider to be the best defense of the Ash'arite school of Islamic theology that gained acceptance within orthodox Sunni theology in the twelfth century, though he also diverges from Ash'arism with his more rationalist approach to the Quran. Together with The Incoherence of the Philosophers, Moderation in Belief informs many subsequent theological debates, and its influence extends beyond the Islamic tradition, informing broader questions within Western philosophical and theological thought. The first complete English-language edition of Moderation in Belief, this new annotated translation by Aladdin M. Yaqub draws on the most esteemed critical editions of the Arabic texts and offers detailed commentary that analyzes and reconstructs the arguments found in the work’s four treatises. Explanations of the historical and intellectual background of the texts also enable readers with a limited knowledge of classical Arabic to fully explore al-Ghazali and this foundational text for the first time. With the recent resurgence of interest in Islamic philosophy and the conflict between philosophy and religion, this new translation will be a welcome addition to the scholarship. |
Contents
1 | |
5 | |
7 | |
9 | |
12 | |
On explaining the methods of proof that we employ in this book | 14 |
Theoretical Reflection on the Essence of God | 25 |
On the Divine Attributes | 79 |
On the Acts of God | 157 |
Fourth Treatise | 197 |
Interpretive Essay | 251 |
Bibliography | 291 |
Index of Qurʾānic Verses | 297 |
Index of Ḥadīths | 299 |
Subject Index | 301 |
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Common terms and phrases
absurd Abū according actual additional affirm al-Ghazālī Ankara anteriorly eternal Arabic argue argument asserts attachment attributes become believe body called cause claim clear command conclusion condition contrary created deem demonstration deny described direction discussion divine doctrine edition essence established example existence explained expression follows given God’s hand harm hearing hence imagination impossible indicates infidelity infinite intellect intended interest interpretation Islamic issue Jeddah edition knowledge known leads Literally matter meaning messenger miracle mode Muslim Muʿtazilites nature necessarily necessary never nonexistence object obligation obligatory occurrent original perform person philosophers position possible prevent principle prior proof Prophet Proposition punishment question Qurʾān reading reason refers reflection regarding relation reports requires respect rest revelation sense similar someone sounds specific speech statement subsists substance term theology thing third tion translation Treatise true truth understand verses virtue