# Al-Ghazali

> Persian Sunni Muslim scholar and mystic (c.1058–1111)

**Wikidata**: [Q9546](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9546)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Ghazali)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/al-ghazali

## Summary
Al-Ghazali was a Persian Sunni Muslim scholar, mystic, and philosopher who lived from approximately 1058 to 1111. Recognized as a significant figure in Islamic history, he was an Islamic jurist, Sufi, autobiographer, and poet whose works deeply influenced both Islamic philosophy and theology. His intellectual legacy includes major contributions such as *The Revival of the Religious Sciences* and *The Incoherence of the Philosophers*, through which he synthesized theology, law, and mysticism.

## Biography
- **Born:** c. 1056 or January 1, 1058
- **Nationality:** Persian
- **Citizenship:** Seljuk Empire
- **Education:** Not specified in source
- **Known for:** Being a Persian Sunni Muslim scholar, mystic, philosopher, Islamic jurist, Sufi, autobiographer, and poet; authoring influential theological works.
- **Employer(s):** Nizamiyya of Baghdad
- **Field(s):** Islamic philosophy, Sufism, Ilm al-Kalam, Islamic ethics

## Contributions
Al-Ghazali authored several foundational texts that shaped Islamic thought. In 1095, he wrote *The Incoherence of the Philosophers*, a significant critique of philosophical inquiry that diverged from orthodox theology. Between 1095 and 1105, he composed *The Revival of the Religious Sciences*, a massive Islamic theological work structured in four parts of ten chapters each, covering aspects of faith and practice. He also wrote *The Alchemy of Happiness* and *The Moderation in Belief*, further exploring Islamic ethics and theology. Additionally, he produced an autobiography and poetry, contributing to the literary and mystical traditions of Islam.

## FAQs
**What are Al-Ghazali's most famous written works?**
His most notable works include *The Incoherence of the Philosophers* (1095), *The Revival of the Religious Sciences* (1095–1105), *The Alchemy of Happiness*, and *The Moderation in Belief*.

**What roles and occupations did Al-Ghazali hold?**
Al-Ghazali was a multi-faceted scholar known as a philosopher, Islamic jurist, Sufi, autobiographer, and poet. He was also affiliated with the Nizamiyya of Baghdad as an employer.

**When did Al-Ghazali live and what was his background?**
He lived approximately from 1058 to 1111, with some sources citing his birth as early as 1056. He was a Persian Sunni Muslim and a citizen of the Seljuk Empire.

**What fields of study did Al-Ghazali contribute to?**
He contributed extensively to Islamic philosophy, Sufism, Ilm al-Kalam (Islamic dialectical theology), and Islamic ethics.

**Is there a physical site associated with Al-Ghazali?**
Yes, the Haruniyeh Mausoleum, a mausoleum and khanqah located in Tus, Iran, is an Iranian national heritage site associated with him.

## Why They Matter
Al-Ghazali is a pivotal figure in the history of Islamic thought because he successfully integrated the mystical traditions of Sufism with the rigorous disciplines of Islamic jurisprudence and theology. His work in *The Incoherence of the Philosophers* marked a turning point in the relationship between faith and reason in the Islamic world, influencing subsequent theological discourse. By blending philosophical inquiry with poetry and mysticism, he helped systematize Sufi practices and beliefs, making them accessible within the orthodox framework. His influence is such that he is frequently listed alongside other giants of Islamic philosophy like Al-Kindi and Averroes, and his works continue to be studied for their synthesis of legal, theological, and spiritual knowledge.

## Notable For
- Authoring *The Revival of the Religious Sciences*, a comprehensive 40-chapter theological work written between 1095 and 1105.
- Writing *The Incoherence of the Philosophers* in 1095, a landmark critique of philosophy.
- Being a Persian Sunni Muslim scholar and mystic active during the Seljuk Empire.
- Holding the occupations of philosopher, Islamic jurist, Sufi, autobiographer, and poet.
- Affiliation with the Nizamiyya of Baghdad, a medieval university.
- His association with the Haruniyeh Mausoleum in Tus.
- Being recognized as a key historical figure in the fields of Islamic philosophy, Sufism, and Ilm al-Kalam.

## Body

### Identity and Background
Al-Ghazali, also known by aliases such as Algazel, Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, and Ghazzālī, was a human and a unique member of the species *Homo sapiens*. He was born around 1056 or 1058 and died on December 19, 1111 (or simply 1111). His nationality is recorded as Persian, and he held citizenship within the Seljuk Empire, a Turco-Persian Sunni Muslim empire that existed from 1037 to 1194. His life and work fall within the medieval period of Islamic history.

### Occupations and Roles
Al-Ghazali was a polymath with a diverse range of occupations. He is primarily defined as a philosopher and an Islamic jurist, indicating his extensive knowledge of philosophy and expertise in Islamic jurisprudence. He was also a Sufi, identifying him as a disciple of the path of Sufism in Islam. Beyond these theological and mystical roles, he was an autobiographer, a person who wrote their own autobiography, and a poet, contributing to the literary tradition. His fields of work included Islamic philosophy, Sufism, Ilm al-Kalam (speculative theology), and Islamic ethics.

### Academic Affiliations
He was affiliated with the Nizamiyya of Baghdad, a medieval university founded in 1065. This institution served as a significant center for learning in the region, and his association with it places him within a major academic context of his time. He is also connected to the Haruniyeh Mausoleum in Tus, which serves as a mausoleum and khanqah (a Sufi gathering place) and is recognized as an Iranian national heritage site.

### Literary and Theological Works
Al-Ghazali's contributions to literature and theology are substantial. His notable works include:
*   **The Incoherence of the Philosophers:** Written in 1095 CE, this book represents a critical engagement with the philosophical traditions of his time.
*   **The Revival of the Religious Sciences:** An Islamic theological work written between 1095 and 1105. It is structured in four parts, with each part containing ten chapters, covering a wide array of topics related to the faith.
*   **The Alchemy of Happiness:** A book attributed to him that explores the themes of spiritual well-being.
*   **The Moderation in Belief:** Another significant book that contributes to the discourse on Islamic theology.

### Context in Islamic Philosophy
Within the broader scope of Islamic philosophy, Al-Ghazali is recognized as a major historical figure. The field, defined as the academic study of philosophy derived from the tradition and teachings of Islam, encompasses movements such as Ilm al-Kalam and Sufi philosophy—areas in which Al-Ghazali was deeply involved. He is noted for the "Literary and Mystical Synthesis," a unique blend of philosophical inquiry with poetry and mysticism. His work is often compared to and contrasted with other figures in the field, such as Al-Kindi (c.801–873) and Averroes (1126–1198).

### Related Entities and Connections
Al-Ghazali's intellectual network includes various contemporaries and figures found in the provided knowledge base. These include:
*   **Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274):** An Italian Dominican friar and theologian, listed as a key person in the broader dataset of philosophical figures.
*   **Averroes (1126–1198):** An Arab Andalusian Muslim writer and philosopher.
*   **Sadegh Zibakalam:** An Iranian academician.
*   **Baha ud-Din Walad:** A faqih (Islamic jurist).
*   **Mohammed ibn Hajj al-Tilimsani:** A Maliki scholar.
*   **Abu-l-Qasim Ahmad ibn al-Husayn ibn Qasi:** An Al-Andalus writer.
*   **Sidi Abderrahmane ath-Thaalibi:** An Algerian theologian and Sufi.

### Bibliographic and Technical Identifiers
Al-Ghazali is widely cataloged in academic and library systems around the world, reflecting his global significance. He is associated with numerous technical identifiers across various databases:
*   **VIAF:** 31996761
*   **ISNI:** 0000000121003882
*   **LCCN:** n82097778
*   **BNF:** 11904478v
*   **GND:** 118537938
*   **NKC:** jn20020304001
*   **SELIBR:** 32853
*   **NLA:** 35858591
*   **NDL:** 00431120
*   **BNE:** XX970207
*   **NLI:** DA00269673
*   **B6:** 1487644
*   **BIBSYS:** 06857276X
*   **ULAN:** 500269630
*   **SUDOC:** 026886030
*   **BNF Thesaurus:** 714
*   **OpenAlex ID:** C31996761
*   **National Library of Israel J9U ID:** 987007261615905171
*   **Wikidata ID:** Q1350888
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/012prf
*   **Library of Congress Subject Headings:** al-ghazali
*   **Encyclopædia Britannica ID:** biography/al-Ghazali

These identifiers, along with his high sitelink count (141 across Wikimedia projects), underscore his enduring presence in the digital and academic record.

## References

1. Encyclopædia Iranica
2. Encyclopaedia of Islam. 1991
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. BnF authorities
5. Tārīkh al-Ṣiḥāfah al-ʿArabīyah
6. [Source](https://projectjaraid.github.io)
7. [Source](https://www.lesclesdumoyenorient.com/Al-Ghazali-1-Un-philosophe-ash.html)
8. [Source](https://openaccess.uoc.edu/bitstream/10609/54442/6/La%20pens%C3%A9e%20classique%20arabe_Module5_L%27ash%27arisme%20apr%C3%A8s%20al-Ash%27ari.pdf)
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. CiNii Research
11. MusicBrainz
12. Source
13. Internet Archive
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. [Ghazzālī | Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL7456521A/Ghazz%C4%81l%C4%AB)
16. ['BRIEF AAN EEN DISCIPEL'](https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11840/1165755)
17. CONOR.SI
18. BBC Things
19. LIBRIS. 2018
20. NMVW-collection website
21. [Source](https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/gazzali)
22. FactGrid
23. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
24. HMML Authority File
25. Digital Scriptorium Catalog
26. Catalogo of the National Library of India