Lubna Shah (PhD Scholar)
A Research and Comparative
Evaluation of Juristic Problems
Mentioned in Ihya Ulum-id-Din and Ghunyatul Talibeen and its Contemporary Significance
Abstract:
In Islam, Tazkiyah (purification
of the soul) and Ihsan (spiritual excellence) are considered the highest stages
of faith. This path is also known by its technical term, Tasawwuf (Sufism).
Islamic scholars have made significant contributions in this field through
their writings and compilations. Among them, Imam Al-Ghazali (d. December 1111
CE) through his work Ihya’ ‘Ulum-id-Din, and Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (d.
8 Rabi' al-Awwal 561 AH / 1166 CE) through Ghuniyat al-Talibin, hold great fame
and popularity across the Islamic world.
Imam Al-Ghazali’s monumental book
on Sufism, Ihya’ ‘Ulum-id-Din, is regarded as a masterwork. In addition to
spirituality, the book also delves into various legal (fiqh) issues. As such,
Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din serves as a radiant lamp guiding the seekers of knowledge
and spiritual direction through the darkness of confusion and uncertainty.
A review of Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani’s works reveals that he was a devout and practicing scholar. He generally adhered to the creed of the Salaf (the righteous predecessors). His well-known book Ghunyatul Talibeen is attributed to him, in which he expressed valuable opinions on numerous legal matters. In his unique style, he shed light on acts of worship such as prayer, fasting, Hajj, Zakat, as well as on supplications, remembrances (adhkar), and virtuous deeds.
Imam Al-Ghazali and Shaykh ‘Abd
al-Qadir al-Jilani both had mastery over Islamic sciences. Even today, a large
number of people benefit from their works, as these books contain a rich
repository of legal rulings. They include both points of consensus and
differences of opinion. The new generation and educated segments of society can
draw substantial guidance from these books. Therefore, it is a pressing need of
the time to compile the legal rulings presented in these scholars' works,
analyze them academically and comparatively.
The present research effort aims
to provide a scholarly and comparative analysis of the legal issues discussed
in the above-mentioned works and to bring out their relevance to modern times.
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