Ghazali: The Revival of Islam

Makers of the Muslim World

by Eric Ormsby

This fascinating work profiles Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (1058-1111), the foremost Islamic scholar and mystic of the medieval period. Attracting the patronage of the vizier Nizam al-Mulk early in his career, he was appointed head of the Nizamiyyah College at Baghdad, and attracted audiences from across the Islamic world, who sought his teachings on Islamic philosophy and jurisprudence. Eventually renouncing his position due to a spiritual crisis, he went into self-imposed exile, during which he wrote the Sufi masterpiece, Revival of the Sciences of Religion. Concise and lucid, this is a perfect introduction to the great man’s life and work.

Genres: Islam, Religion, Biography, History, Philosophy, Nonfiction

196 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Umar Shaikh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book that is both an introduction into some of Ghazali's ideas and approaches but also his life and some key events therein.

[Muharrem Enes Erdem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gazali: İslam’ın Dirilişi adlı eser, Gazali’nin hayatı ve fikirlerine etkili bir giriş sunuyor. Eric Ormsby, Gazali'nin düşünsel evrimini, dönemin politik ve dini karmaşalarıyla harmanlayarak çok yönlü bir perspektif oluşturuyor. Kitap, Gazali’nin fikirlerini daha iyi anlamak isteyenler için değerli bir kaynak, çünkü hem onun entelektüel yolculuğunu hem de İslam dünyasında bıraktığı derin izleri güzel bir şekilde açıklıyor. Gazali'ye dair kapsamlı bir başlangıç kitabı olarak tavsiye edebilirim.

[Shahrian Shihab · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the life and thoughts of Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (1058-1111CE).

[Faheem · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful book; has the double delight of not only analysing the many faces of Imam AlGhazali but also recounting his long and complex life. More than that, it strives to capture the beauty, the intelligence as well as the plain-sense which makes Ghazali such a powerful writer in the Arabic, as well as only the most dastardly English translator can ruin.

Ormsby is a subtle critical admirer and while there is little original here for those who are aware of Ghazali, like the Ihya itself, the genius lies in it’s manner in which those very tales are told that makes Ghazalis achievement, nay his legend shine anew.

Wonderful book.

[Muhammad Ma'mun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku ini ditulis oleh Profesor Ormsby untuk para pemula. Seperti yang ia katakan sendiri, buku ini disusun untuk mereka yang belum mengenal al-Ghazali atau jagad pemikiran Islam di Abad Pertengahan. Ia bertutur tentang perjalanan hidup dan pemikiran intelektual Muslim asal Persia ini dengan segampang dan sesimpel mungkin. Malahan, ia merasa perlu menambahkan deskripsi rinci tentang terminologi, tokoh, hingga mazhab pemikiran dan dinasti politik dalam 'Introduction'. Wajib dibaca oleh para pemula, namun tidak dianjurkan bagi mereka yang mengharapkan narasi yang melimpah tentang kehidupan al-Ghazali atau membutuhkan analisis yang mendalam atau pemikirannya.

[Muhammad Arqum · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic introductory book about Ghazali and his works. I could not have asked for a better book that offers just the right amount of depth for someone who does not know a lot about Ghazali. Highly recommended.