Al-Ghazali's Ethics

For this post I'm not going to comment on any news stories. Instead, I'd like to lay out some of the thoughts of al-Ghazali on ethics. Al-Ghazali is a major figure in Islamic thought, and many consider his The Revival of the Religious Sciences to be his central work. In a departure from a more theoretical philosophical style, this text is a comprehensive guide for ethical behavior in everyday Muslim life.

Al-Ghazali thoroughly criticizes the coveting of worldly goods and outcomes and reminds his readers that human life is a preparation for Judgment Day. This life is rather insignificant on its own merits; for al-Ghazali, what is important is the reward or punishment found in the next life. The material world's importance is that it is a process and a journey. It seals our spiritual fate. Nothing in it is an end in itself.

This conviction leads al-Ghazali to argue that our theological convictions by themselves are irrelevant for gaining salvation. Having good intentions and good beliefs do not make one a good person: it is good actions that matter. Worldly existence is a place where good character and right beliefs are lived out. They have no effect if they are not put into practice. In fact, holding good beliefs and not acting on them might even be seen as overattachment to this world. That is, we should not jealously guard our beliefs and thoughts but give them back to the world in a positive, just way. These insights actually caused al-Ghazali to change his lifestyle. He gave up worldly attachments and adopted the Sufi path.


Al-Ghazali's Revival is a book about human actions that wishes to avoid any deeper discussion of theological insights. Instead, it has the more practical aim of guiding people towards ethical behavior that God will reward in this world and the next. In it, al-Ghazali actually attacks his fellow scholars; he questions their intellectual capacities, independence, and commitment to gaining spiritual reward in the next life. Intellectualism is useless if it does not produce increased moral consciousness. Again, performing praiseworthy deeds is the result of praiseworthy character traits. The deeds are the evidence of an individual's worth. In this way al-Ghazali opposes the traditional concept of Sunni ethics, which is limited to complying with religious ordinances. He would prefer a much stronger emphasis on good character. A man with a wicked heart may still perform an action in accordance with religous law, but a man with good character will not act unethically. Thus it is more important to develop good character - good actions will follow.

Al-Ghazali still has relevance in today's world. When we consider the actions of individuals, do we simply consider whether they are in accord with the letter of the law? Al-Ghazali suggests that instead we should ask what kind of person would act in such a way: a just or an unjust person? Likewise, when faced with an injustice, those who know better are ethically obligated not to remain silent. It is their moral duty to speak out against the injustice they see in the world around them.