Hundred Great Muslims

112 Hundred Great Muslims
"Ulema" certificates for his services to Islam, Abu Ishaq Shirazi complimented
only so much, "Nizamul-Mulk is somewhat better than other tyrants." Ghazali
tried to infuse the spirit of truth and straightforwardness in people's hearts.
He freely and boldly propagated that it is the duty of the subjects to correct
their ruler. Such interference in the affairs of the ruling class is not justified if
it imperils the very existence of the state. If it endangers one's life only, it is
virtuous. Such a person if killed for a noble cause will be a martyr.
The entire ethical philosophy of Ghazali rests on the foundation of mysticism.
He had himself experienced the different aspects of worldly life, namely
scholastic discussions, pride of high office, popularity among people and pomp
and wealth. He had realised the effects of such contacts on one's character. He
has described these experiences in Ihya-ui-Uloom. The writings of Ghazali
influenced such great writers like Maulana Room, Shaikhul Ashraq, Ibn Rushd
and Shah Waliullah, who have reflected the rational ideas of Ghazali in their
works. Even the eminent Persian poets like Attar, Roomi, Saadi, Hafiz and Iraqi
derived their inspiration from the writings of Ghazali and he was mainly
responsible for infusing mysticism in Persian poetry and directing it towards
right channels. He tried to reconcile the tenets of Islam with the teaching of
prevailing philosophy and science. His masterpiece "Ihya-ul-Uloom" was widely
read by Muslims, Jews and Christians and influenced Thomas Aquinas and even
Blaise Pascal.
Ghazali, undoubtedly, is one of the greatest thinkers of Islam who has
immensely contributed to cultivating the social, cultural, political, ethical and
metaphysical outlook of Islam.