Abu Hamid Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Ghazali, commonly shortened as just Al-Ghazali, was a late-11th century Persian Muslim theologian, jurist, philosopher and mystic. Al-Ghazali was born around the year 1058, in the ancient Persian city of Tus, then a part of the medieval Seljuk Empire. Al-Ghazali grew up and studied in Tus. By his early adulthood, he was a student under prominent theologian al-Juwayni in Nishapur for about eight years. During his adulthood, Al-Ghazali wrote many important texts on Islamic laws and theology, many of which are still utilized today. His early works achieved him recognition and earned him a position as a professor in Baghdad. Al-Ghazali would lecture and teach Shafi’i law there from 1091-1095. In that year, he
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He also makes note that no one including the king, could not compare to the grandeur of God in any way (CFK, pg. 6-12). By explaining the unparalleled characteristics of God, Al-Ghazali makes it known to the king that despite the power and position he wields, he must know his place in relation to God, creator and ruler of the universe and all it contains. The king, thus, must understand, that unfaithfulness and disobedience will cost him severely both during his life and the afterlife. (CFK, pg. 6, paragraph 7, pg. 11, paragraph 17). This concludes the first part of the book. Beginning in the second part of the book, the topic moves to qualities befitting of a king. Al-Ghazali opens on this section by discussing that the title of king is one of two classes of people that God has endowed amongst humanity, the other being prophets. (CFK, pg. 45, paragraph 1). The king, per Al-Ghazali, is to protect his people from one another and ensure their welfare. To dispute or hate the king is both improper and wrong, as the king has been divinely ordained and thus must be obeyed like the Prophets (CFK, pg. 45-46, paragraph 1-2). Al-Ghazali moves on and discusses that justice his perpetrated by the king or sultan, and it is his duty not perpetrate neither injustice nor wickedness. Al-Ghazali explains this reasoning in this
He also makes note that no one including the king, could not compare to the grandeur of God in any way (CFK, pg. 6-12). By explaining the unparalleled characteristics of God, Al-Ghazali makes it known to the king that despite the power and position he wields, he must know his place in relation to God, creator and ruler of the universe and all it contains. The king, thus, must understand, that unfaithfulness and disobedience will cost him severely both during his life and the afterlife. (CFK, pg. 6, paragraph 7, pg. 11, paragraph 17). This concludes the first part of the book. Beginning in the second part of the book, the topic moves to qualities befitting of a king. Al-Ghazali opens on this section by discussing that the title of king is one of two classes of people that God has endowed amongst humanity, the other being prophets. (CFK, pg. 45, paragraph 1). The king, per Al-Ghazali, is to protect his people from one another and ensure their welfare. To dispute or hate the king is both improper and wrong, as the king has been divinely ordained and thus must be obeyed like the Prophets (CFK, pg. 45-46, paragraph 1-2). Al-Ghazali moves on and discusses that justice his perpetrated by the king or sultan, and it is his duty not perpetrate neither injustice nor wickedness. Al-Ghazali explains this reasoning in this