Author: Abul Nasr Zaranji
Twenty Discourses, Twenty Radiant Faces (part two)
Imam Ghazali (May Allah Have Mercy on Him)
The Scientific and Social Conditions During Ghazali’s Era
Just as the presence of geniuses impacts social conditions, the circumstances and requirements of the time also play a crucial role in their emergence. Therefore, when assessing the influence of great figures in history, two points must be considered: first, the spirit of the era in which the genius appeared, and second, the impact their presence had on the scientific, literary, and social conditions.
The era of Ghazali was one of the brightest periods in history, during which significant advancements were made in science and literature. Scholars and intellectuals emerged from all parts of the world, making notable progress in education, authorship, and scientific and literary works.
Ghazali lived during the reign of the Seljuks (429-552 AH) in Iran and was contemporary with most of the kings of this dynasty. The rise of the Seljuks as a new power marked the beginning of a new period in the history of the Islamic world.
After Iran was freed from the control of the Caliphs and divided into several smaller states, none of the rulers succeeded in creating a unified government across the region. Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni (387-421 AH), due to his involvement in multiple wars in India and conflicts with the Turks of Transoxiana and the Khwarazmians, did not have the opportunity to expand his rule in Iran.
The Seljuks quickly managed to drive out the local rulers from Iranian lands and gain control over the entire region. In addition to Iran, they conquered other Asian territories, ultimately creating a vast empire centered in Iran. This period, during which Islamic culture and civilization reached its peak, left a profound and lasting impact on the history and evolution of the Islamic world.
Tughril Beg, Rukn al-Din Abu Talib (429-455 AH), the first Seljuk king, during his 26-year reign, brought all of Iran, Khwarazm, and parts of Transoxiana under his rule. He frequently traveled to Baghdad and worked to strengthen the foundations of the Caliphate while suppressing the Caliph’s opponents. Tughril Beg was able to influence the center of the Islamic Caliphate, and the Caliph al-Qa’im Bi-Amrillah (422-467 AH) ordered that his name be mentioned after his own during Friday sermons (22nd Muharram 447 AH). Marriages between the Seljuk and Abbasid families, which were rare at the time, also occurred during this period. Tughril Beg gave a daughter from his family to the Caliph and, in 454 AHS, married a daughter of the Caliph.
Alp Arslan, Azud al-Din Abu Shuja (455-465 AH), after conquering Transoxiana and Turkistan, attacked the lands of Rome, and in 464 AHS, he defeated the Roman emperor near Akhlat, captured him, and then released him. As a result, the governor of Georgia also became his vassal and tributary.
Malik Shah, Jalal al-Din Abu al-Fath (465-485 AH), with the support of a wise vizier like Nizam al-Mulk, brought the Seljuk state to its peak of power and expansion. He resolved internal conflicts and continued the conquests of his father and grandfather, conquering regions such as Syria, Aleppo, Jazira, and many other areas, thus bringing all of Asia under his command. The extent of his empire stretched from the borders of Syria to China. His wise vizier was able to allocate the wages of the sailors of the Jihun River to Antakya. All of the Sultan’s successes and victories were attributed to the presence of this capable vizier. The Seljuk state continued to thrive as long as Nizam al-Mulk was alive, but after his assassination and Malik Shah’s death (485 AH), it began to weaken due to internal conflicts, eventually leading to its complete decline.
The political situation and general conditions during the Seljuk era, especially during the reigns of Malik Shah and Sanjar, had a significant impact on science and literature. This influence is clearly evident in the scientific and literary works of that time. One of the great figures of the Seljuk era in governance was Nizam al-Mulk, and among the scholars and intellectuals was Ghazali. This introduction sets the stage for understanding the history of his life.
Ghazali was contemporary with most of the Seljuk kings; his birth occurred at the end of Tughril’s reign, and his death took place during the reign of Sultan Muhammad (d. 511 AH). The Seljuks generally held Ghazali in high esteem, recognizing him as the greatest scholar of his time. This respect was well-deserved, as Ghazali played a vital role in educating and guiding the rulers of this dynasty, sometimes using stern and fatherly reprimands to correct and train them.
Characteristics of Ghazali’s Era
The era of Ghazali, spanning from the mid-fifth century to the early sixth century AH, is distinguished by several features compared to other historical periods:
1. The Abundance of Scholars and Writers: There was an increase in scholars and writers in every city, along with a large number of authored works. During this time, Islamic schools were fully active, and individuals with talent and interest engaged in studies, authorship, and composition. The study of literature and sciences, especially religious knowledge such as jurisprudence, principles, Hadith, theology, and divine wisdom, flourished, resulting in these fields reaching a height rarely seen in other periods.
2. The Prevalence and Prosperity of Islamic Faith: Sunni Islam was particularly prominent during this time. The Caliphs of Baghdad, as well as the Seljuk kings and influential figures of the state, such as Nizam al-Mulk, fully supported and protected it.
3. The Widespread Propagation of Religious Debates: There was a dominant presence of religious sentiments and fervent beliefs during this era.
Due to these three characteristics, Ghazali’s era can be considered an age of scientific and literary progress, as well as a religious and argumentative period.
Ghazali’s Era and the Crusades
One of the major events that occurred during Ghazali’s time, which preoccupied all Islamic lands and countries, was the Crusades, lasting about two hundred years, from 489 to 690 AH, with varying intensity. This strange conflict brought about new incidents year after year in Islamic territories. Many of these events have been recorded by Ibn al-Athir in his book “Al-Kamil”, al-Yafi’i in “Mirat al-Jinan”, and al-Dhahabi in “Duwal al-Islam”.
At the time of these incidents, the lands of Rome were under the control of the Seljuks of Asia Minor, with Kilij Arslan (485-500 AH) ruling those regions. Al-Musta’li Billah Fatimid (487-495 AH) ruled in Egypt and other territories of the Fatimid Caliphate. Al-Mustazhir Billah Abbasid (487-512 AH) was the Caliph and ruler of the Abbasid domain. Abu al-Muzaffar Barkiyaruq (487-498 AH) and Muhammad ibn Malikshah Seljuk (498-511 AH) ruled most of Iran. Hassan Sabbah (483-518 AH) was based in Alamut, controlling parts of northern and eastern Iran and engaging in organizational activities.
Jerusalem (Bait Ul Moqadas), which Taj al-Dawla Tutush ibn Alp Arslan, the founder of the Seljuk dynasty of Syria, had taken and entrusted to Emir Sukman ibn Artuq (d. 498 AH), became a target of the Crusaders around 489 AH (corresponding to 1096 CE). In 493 AHS, one of the Crusades took place, resulting in the defeat of the Christians by the Muslims. In 494 AHS, during the spread of Fatimid propaganda in the lands of Iraq and Jabal, the Christians took Syria from the Muslims, and in 497 AHS, they attacked Harran, where Emir Sukman fought them.
During the same period when the Crusades were beginning, Imam Ghazali (may Allah have mercy on him) was engaged in spiritual exercises, remembrance, and contemplation amid this turmoil. He worked with the weapon of thought and the power of reflection, striving for peace amidst the war and chaos in a way that was befitting for someone like him.
Continues…
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