Al-ghazali And the Qur'an One Book, Many Meanings

Al-Ghazali and the Qur'an: one book, many meanings is the first work to focus entirely on the Qur'anic interpretation of Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (1058-1111), a towering figure of Sunni Islam. Martin Whittingham explores both al-Ghazali's hermeneutical methods and his interpretations of particular Quranic texts, and covers al-Ghazali's mystical, legal and theological concerns.The book is divided into two parts. Part I examines al-Ghazali's legal and Sufi theoretical discussions. Part II asks how these theories relate to his practice, analysing the only three of al-Ghazali's works which are centrally concerned with interpreting particular Qur'anic passages: Jawahir al-Qur'an (The Jewels of the Qur'an) , Al-Qistas al-mustaqim (The Correct Balance) and Mishkat al-anwar (The Niche for Lights). The book sets out systematically the nature of al-Ghazali's dependence in Mishkat al-Anwar on Ibn Sina (Avicenna). In addition, it illuminates the complex interactions of al-Ghazali's mystical, legal and theological concerns. Tables are used to make as clear as possible al-Ghazali's schemes of interpretation.Providing a new point of access to the works of al-Ghazali, this book will be welcomed by scholars and students of Islamic studies, religious studies, hermeneutics, and anyone interested in how Muslims understand the Qur'an.Whittingham, Martin is the author of 'Al-ghazali And the Qur'an One Book, Many Meanings', published 2007 under ISBN 9780415375436 and ISBN 0415375436.