Ayyuhal Walad: Letter to a Disciple

Course Overview

This course will be based on the short epistle of Imam Ghazali, “Ayyuhal Walad”, where the great Imam responds to his student’s powerful question, what will benefit him in the grave?  The advice of Imam Ghazali addresses points of faith, knowledge and action, and contains immense wisdom and benefit for all.

The course is aimed at anyone seeking to gain a general introduction into various fields of Islam as well as to Imam Ghazali’s work. A detailed biography of Imam Ghazali is given focusing not only on this particular text and its background but also on many of Imam Ghazali’s other works and contributions. The contributions of Imam Ghazali to the legal framework of Islam discussed at length.  Theological schools within Islam are discussed with an emphasis on Imam Ghazali’s contributions to the school of Ashʿarism, as well as his influence upon Sufism. The course also discusses reconciling between differing understandings regarding hadith and fiqh.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand the biography of Imam Ghazali
• Be familiar with the background regarding his text, “Ayyuhal Walad”
• Understand the legal schools of Islam and their differences
• Recognize Imam Ghazali’s legal contributions to Shafi‘ism
• Understand the various theological schools of Islam
• Recognize Imam Ghazali’s contributions to Ashʿarism
• Understand the 11 sources of Islamic Law
• Identify the difference between Exclusivism, Pluralism, and Inclusivism
• Recognize the contributions of Imam Ghazali to Sufism