Al-Ghazali’s Thought On The Existence Of Allah Swt In Ihya’ ‘Ulum Al-Din

Abstract

The existence of Allah SWT is among the most important topics to be considered in Islam. Islamic scholars through their works have elaborated the concept of the existence of Allah SWT so that it can be understood in the Muslim community. Among them is al-Ghazali (505H) which has been promoted by the Muslim world scientists as the mujaddid (religious reformer) for the fifth century also describes it in his masterpiece, Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din . This work focused on the description of a well-known Islamic scholar, al-Ghazali about the concept of the existence of Allah SWT through his book, Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din . This qualitative study was carried out by means of content analysis to the book Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din to produce the output of the research. At the end of the discussion, it will be summarized some aspects of the thought of the person about the existence of Allah SWT This paper will conclude that al-Ghazali explains the existence of Allah using the passages of nature, nas and intellect. The arguments are taken from the seven Qur'anic verses and the argument by using the theory among them is the existence of something new ( al-hadith ) there must have been a reason ( al-sabab ) to make it.

Keywords: Thoughtal-GhazaliExistenceAllahIhya’ ‘Ulum al-Din

Introduction

Al-Ghazali refers to Abu Hamid Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Tusi al-Shafi`i was born on the 450H in Tus. Al-Ghazali who was one of the students of Imam al-Haramayn al-Juwayni (d. 478H) mastered the knowledge in various fields, thus being called as an Islamic argumentist ( hujjat al-Islam ). He wrote academic papers in various fields of studies and his councils attended by famous scholars. This famous scholar is known as al-Shafi`i and adheres to the al-Asha'irah theology sect. According to Yusuf al-Qaradawi, his dominance in the various fields of knowledge and respect given to him by the title of al-Islam encourages the historians ( muarrikhin ) and the hadith scholars ( muhaddithin ) to agree without the blasphemy that he is the fifth century Hijrah. Al-Ghazali died at age 55 on Monday, 14th Jamadil at 505H and was buried in Tus (Ibn Kathir, 1998; Ibn al-`Imad, 1989; al-Madkur, 2009; al-Qaradawi, 1994).

Problem Statement

The explanation about the existence of Allah SWT has been debated deeply by scholars as it is among the main topics discussed either by Muslims themselves or with non-Muslims. According to Hasan Muhammad Ayyub (d. 1429H), Mukmin who knows the existence Allah SWT without proof then he is considered sinful if he has the ability to do research and understand about the proposition ( ma'a istita'atihi al-nazar wa ma'rifah al-dalil ). At least one should know the proof of the existence of Allah SWT by saying that the proof of the existence of Allah SWT is this world. In fardu ‘ain , every Muslim needs to understand the argument of ijmali that is the general rule as mentioned earlier. However, in fardu kifayah , some Muslims need to understand the interpretation of the tafsili the details in detail to defend the faith (Ayyub, 1983). This is between the point of view of the significance of understanding for Muslims about the proponents of the Creator and the like. Ibn Jama’ah (1990) states that, having agreed with the intellectuals and those who possessed the well-being of the jinn and humans about the existence of Allah SWT even the obligatory existence of the Almighty God is bestowed upon them to guide them as long as they are not influenced by lust. Habannakah (2007) describes this nature by stating that people really feel the essence of this feeling and believe it whether they are capable of proving the truth of the feeling or vice versa. This doctrine of precedence precedes the prophecy of nazari (study) to prove the existence of Allah SWT even sometimes it is more thorough ( adaqqu ) and more true ( asdaqu ). Al-Qaradawi (2002) explains that the evidence of the existence of Allah has been created by Him in the person itself. The feeling of feeling there is an infinite absolute power. This feeling has existed within them without acquiring it through learning and learning process.

Al-Ash'ari does not elaborate on the existence of Allah SWT in the nature of debate as he distinguishes between His nature and existence (Rosder, 1989). However, al-Ash'ari (1955) explains it elsewhere. ‘Amran (2009) in his advance of edits to al-Ghazali's al- Iqtisad fi al-I'tiqad book, states that the prophecy used by al-Ash'ari in proving his existence is known as the al-'inayah. This rule demonstrates that the order and order of nature shows that there is a creator who determines it. According to him, if one asks: what is the proposition that this nature exists with its author and administrator? Al-Ash'ari responded to this question by using the method and followed up. From the aspect of the story, he touches on the creation of man as a perfect creature. Humans are created from the semen (nutfah), then a clot of blood ('alaqah) , then a clot of meat (mudghah) , then bones (lahm) , then blood (damm) and then meat (' azm). It is understood that the change in the stage of the human event does not occur by itself. Similarly, the senses of hearing and viewing can not exist by themselves. The inability also can be seen in the aspect of human age from small, juvenile, old and adult. Humans are not able to turn back into youth after they become old. Hence, it's impossible that it happened without its creator. Al-Ash'ari then brings arguments, Allah SWT said:

أَفَرَأَيْتُمْ مَا تُمْنُونَ. أَأَنْتُمْ تَخْلُقُونَهُ أَمْ نَحْنُ الْخَالِقُونَ

Translation : Have you seen that which you emit? Is it you who creates it, or We are the Creator?

Surah al-Waqi’ah, (56): 58-59.

Al-Ash'ari (1955) describes that humans incapable to argue that they are the ones who make the semen. In fact, sometimes they want a child, but they do not get it and sometimes they do not want a child, but they get it. Al-Ash'ari also elaborates the next argument that the verse indicates that humans have their weaknesses and they need creators and administrators. Allah SWT said:

وَفِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ ۚ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ

Translation : As also in your ownselves : Will you not then see?

Surah al-Dhariyat, (51 : 21).

In the view of al-Maturidi (d. 333H), the existence of Allah SWT can be proved through three arguments (al-Maturidi, n.d.; Rosder, 1989):

a) The concept of nature: everything in this world that can be united and separated valid by itself. This shows there is creator who makes it.

b) Evidence of change: if this nature happens by itself then there is no more time or character than time or property. If it happens at different times then it proves that it does not happen by itself.

c) Dalil shar : If this nature exists naturally then no crime will occur because something that happens itself is definitely not going to be the crime it exists to it and it certainly will only have its own good. However, it is proven to be evil so nature does not exist by itself.

According to al-Baqillani (d. 403H), the existence of Allah SWT can be proved through the explanation about jawhar and 'arad . According to him, nature is divided into jawhar and 'arad , both of which are new. The renewal of nature is aimed at something that makes it not of nature and it is qadim .

This new nature ( muhdath ) is necessary to something that renews it (muhdith) (Salman, 2013). The new nature can be named with several names usch as makhluk, ‘alam, mumkin, hadith, kawn, jirm and jism (Joll, 2018). On the other hand, the existence of Allah SWT cannot be described as same as the existence of creatures. It is because being is either eternal ( al-qadim ) or temporal ( al-hadith ). The eternal being has no beginning whereas the temporal one does have a beginning (Ismail, 2017). As writing is necessary for a writer, construction is necessary to someone who built it and the necessary picture to someone who painted the picture (al-Baqillani, 1957; Rosder, 1989).

Al-Razi (n.d.) divulged in four ways to prove the existence of Allah SWT described in the subtopics of the Second Problem in Revealing the Knowledge of the Creator (al-mas'alah al-thaniyah fi ithbat al-'ilm bi al-sani '):

a) Imkan al-dhawat : The existence of something that exists whether it is obligatory or mumkin . If it is obligatory, then there is no problem, but if it is mumkin then it is necessary for something that affects its existence. muaththir . If the muaththir is compulsory then it is no problem, but if the muaththi r is mumkin , then whether it is the effect of something it creates or the effect of something else. However, both are impossible.

b) Huduth al-dhawat ‘ala wujud wajib al-wujud : It is gratefully acknowledged that every matter of mass is new and every new thing wii be made by other. It is impossible for the new inventor to belong to something new. If not the new creator is new too.

c) Imkan al-sifat : something is the earth and something else is a star then there must be something that determines whether it becomes earth or becomes a star.

d) Huduth al-sifat : It can be seen in nature and in the human self itself. A clear example that can be seen is the semen that is something that appears to have an equation in terms of its shape in a liquid state. In short, if this nature has no creator and naturally occurring naturally, it would be reasonable to accept that the semen will produce a naturally shaped animal ( tabi'ah ); However, the reality is that there is a difference in shape in all living things, including in humans. Hence, it is not tabi'ah that determines what life is born or created, but there is a compulsory creator that exists in it.

According to al-Baydawi (d. 685H), the existence of Allah SWT can be evidenced from two aspects (al-Baydawi, 1998):

1. There is no doubt that the hadith is existed, every matter of the hadith is mumkin . If it is not mumkin then there is no part yet that some part does not exist. Every mumkin thing is the cause ( sabab ) which is why it must be obligatory to exist or to stop him as a cause for the existence of another. This is because, it is impossible to cycle ( al-dawr ) and chain ( al-tasalsul );

2. There is no doubt that for the existence of a mumkin matter must be upon him the precursor or the intermediary.

According to al-Attas (1994), he explained that hadith denotes ‘originated things’; things that were new, not having been before. Those things are ever-new and there is no doubt that everythings that are ever-new necessarily require muhdith to create and renew them. Hadith has a beginning in time and its essence is not self-subsistent. Its existence essentially belongs to the Ultimate Reality, Allah SWT. The real knowledge about the existence of Allah SWT is important in order to know further about His attributes. Some of the Muslim theological sects have wrongly describe Allah SWT. The anthropomophists have extremely approach to the literal side till led them into committing tashbih, that is an act of comparing Allah SWT with the attributes of temporal being (Mohd Shahran, 2017).

Sabiq (n.d.) explains that the essence of Allah SWT is unlikely to be known by human intellect but it does not deny the existence of Allah SWT. The existence of Allah SWT is something that no doubt is there and no space to be denied (Muhammad, 2014). It is clear to refer to the natural things like the sun and the examples of other natural events that prove (shahid) to the existence of Allah SWT. Will not be accepted by the mind of the existence of a creation without its creator (Akhyar & Syahrin, 2011). This is explained by Sabiq in the subtopics of the natural thing to prove the existence of the Creator (al-tabi'ah tuakkid wujud al-Khaliq). Therefore, the prophecies used to prove the existence of Allah SWT among them are based on the existence of this nature.

The conclusion based on this brief highlight, the scholars have long debated the evidence of the existence of Allah SWT They face those who deny the existence of the creator as well as trying to help Muslims to be more confident with the existence- Him. It can be seen in general that the arguments used by the scholars are based on the prophecy of prophecy and prosperity that are not contrary to the law. In addition, it is a proof of nature that can be felt by all human beings about the feeling of absolute ultimate power. The reason for the use of scholars in addition to the proposition to help Muslims on how to prove the existence of Allah SWT Among the approaches undertaken are based on observations of the universe.

Research Questions

How does al-Ghazali explains about the concept of the existence of Allah SWT in Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din ?

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of the study is to highlight al-Ghazali’s explanation about the concept of the existence of Allah SWT in Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din .

Research Methods

We conducted the qualitative by menas of contetnt analysis to the book of Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din in order to carry out this work. All the data were collected and had been analyzed to produce the output of the research.

Findings

According to al-Ghazali (1999) in al-Risalah al-Qudsiyyah fi Qawa`id al-`Aqaid in Ihya 'Ulum al-Din , the first clue for a person to learn it is based on what Allah has described himself SWT in the Qur'an as there is no clearer explanation than what has been in the Qur'an. Al-Ghazali brings the seven Qur'anic proofs that prove the existence of Allah SWT. Allah SWT said:

أَلَمْ نَجْعَلِ الْأَرْضَ مِهَادًا. وَالْجِبَالَ أَوْتَادًا. وَخَلَقْنَاكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا. وَجَعَلْنَا نَوْمَكُمْ سُبَاتًا. وَجَعَلْنَا اللَّيْلَ لِبَاسًا. وَجَعَلْنَا النَّهَارَ مَعَاشًا. وَبَنَيْنَا فَوْقَكُمْ سَبْعًا شِدَادًا. وَجَعَلْنَا سِرَاجًا وَهَّاجًا. وَأَنْزَلْنَا مِنَ الْمُعْصِرَاتِ مَاءً ثَجَّاجًا. لِنُخْرِجَ بِهِ حَبًّا وَنَبَاتًا. وَجَنَّاتٍ أَلْفَافًا.

Translation : Have We not made the earth as a wide expanse. And the mountain as pegs. And (have We not) created you in pairs. And made your sleep for rest. And made the night as a covering. And made the day as a means of subsistence. And (have We not) built over you the seven firnaments. And placed a Light of Splendour. And do We not send down from the clouds water in abundance. That We may produce therewith corn and vegetables. And gardens of luxurious growth.

Surah al-Naba’, (78): 6-16.

Allah SWT said:

إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَالْفُلْكِ الَّتِي تَجْرِي فِي الْبَحْرِ بِمَا يَنْفَعُ النَّاسَ وَمَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مِنْ مَاءٍ فَأَحْيَا بِهِ الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَبَثَّ فِيهَا مِنْ كُلِّ دَابَّةٍ وَتَصْرِيفِ الرِّيَاحِ وَالسَّحَابِ الْمُسَخَّرِ بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ لَآيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ

Translation : Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of the night ang the day; in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of mankind; in the rain whoch God sends down form the skies, and the life which He gives therewith to be an earth that is dead; in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the earth; in the change of the winds, and the clouds which they trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth; (here) indeed are Signs for a people that are wise.

Surah al-Baqarah, (2): 164.

Allah SWT said:

أَلَمْ تَرَوْا كَيْفَ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ طِبَاقًا. وَجَعَلَ الْقَمَرَ فِيهِنَّ نُورًا وَجَعَلَ الشَّمْسَ سِرَاجًا.

Translation : “See you not how God has created the seven heavens one above another”. “And made the moon a light in their midst and made the sun as a (glorious) lamp?

Surah Nuh, (71): 15-16.

Allah SWT said:

أَفَرَأَيْتُم مَّا تُمْنُونَ. أَأَنتُمْ تَخْلُقُونَهُ أَمْ نَحْنُ الْخَالِقُونَ. نَحْنُ قَدَّرْنَا بَيْنَكُمُ الْمَوْتَ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوقِينَ. عَلَىٰ أَن نُّبَدِّلَ أَمْثَالَكُمْ وَنُنشِئَكُمْ فِي مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ. وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ النَّشْأَةَ الْأُولَىٰ فَلَوْلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ. أَفَرَأَيْتُم مَّا تَحْرُثُونَ. أَأَنتُمْ تَزْرَعُونَهُ أَمْ نَحْنُ الزَّارِعُونَ. لَوْ نَشَاءُ لَجَعَلْنَاهُ حُطَامًا فَظَلْتُمْ تَفَكَّهُونَ. إِنَّا لَمُغْرَمُونَ. بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ. أَفَرَأَيْتُمُ الْمَاءَ الَّذِي تَشْرَبُونَ. أَأَنتُمْ أَنزَلْتُمُوهُ مِنَ الْمُزْنِ أَمْ نَحْنُ الْمُنزِلُونَ. لَوْ نَشَاءُ جَعَلْنَاهُ أُجَاجًا فَلَوْلَا تَشْكُرُونَ. أَفَرَأَيْتُمُ النَّارَ الَّتِي تُورُونَ. أَأَنتُمْ أَنشَأْتُمْ شَجَرَتَهَا أَمْ نَحْنُ الْمُنشِئُونَ. نَحْنُ جَعَلْنَاهَا تَذْكِرَةً وَمَتَاعًا لِّلْمُقْوِينَ.

Translation : Do you then see? The (humad Seed) that you throw out. Is it you who create it or are We the Creators? We have decreed death to be your common lot, and We are not frustrated. From changing your forms and creating you (again) in forms that you do not know. And you certainly know already the first form of creation, why then do you not celebrate His praises? See you the seed that you sow in the ground? Is it you that cause it to grow or are We The Cause? Were it Our Will, We could crumble it to dry powder and you would be left in wonderment. (Saying), “We are indeed left with debts (for nothing)”. “Indeed are we shut out (of the fruits of our labour)”. See you the water which you drink? Do you bring it down (in rain) from the cloud or do We? Were it Our Will, We could make it salt (and unpalatable), then why do you not give thanks? See you the fire which you kindle? Is it you who grow the tree which feeds the fire or do We Grow it? We have made it a memorial (of Our handiwork), and an article of comfort and convenience for the denizens of deserts.

Surah al-Waqi`ah, (56): 58-73.

Al-Ghazali (1999) states that these arguments are clear to those who want to think in minimal even though they can understand the wonders, the beauty, the order of creation of Allah SWT in heaven and earth. All these arguments show the existence of Allah SWT that creates, determines and regulates everything. Human nature is also capable of understanding that all creation is related to the power and provision of Almighty God Almighty. Allah SWT said:

۞ قَالَتْ رُسُلُهُمْ أَفِي اللَّهِ شَكٌّ فَاطِرِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۖ

Translation : Their apostles said : “Is there a doubt about God, the Creator of the heavens and the erath?

Surah Ibrahim, (14): 10.

The apostles were commanded to guide their people to believe in the true God by uttering God's ilahilla. The apostles explain that man and nature have God. This is because the nature of the existence of God is already present in man since they were little. Allah SWT said (al-Ghazali, 1999):

وَلَئِنْ سَأَلْتَهُمْ مَنْ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ اللَّهُ ۚ

Translation : If indeed you ask them who it is that created the heavens and the earth, they would be sure to say, “God”.

Surah al-Zumar, (39): 38.

Allah SWT said:

فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا ۚ فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا ۚ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لا يَعْلَمُونَ

Translation : So set your face steadily and truly to the faith : (establish) God’s handiwork according to the pattern on which he has made mankind : no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by God : that is the standard Religion : but most among mankind not understand.

Surah al-Rum, (30): 30.

‘Amran (2009) states the arguments used by al-Ghazali as the verses of al-kawniyyah . According to al-Ghazali (1999) further, the Qur'an explains that based on the human nature and the proofs expressed in the Qur'an itself, it has been able to prove the existence of Allah SWT Furthermore, as the scholars explain, human reason also can prove the existence of Allah SWT Akal can understand that the existence of something new ( al-hadith ) is sure to have the reason ( al-sabab ) to make it. The existence of that is also certainly a beginning and ending time. Because it requires the beginning and the end, it certainly requires the mukhassis (something decisive) to determine the beginning and the end time. This nature is also considered new because it involves the movement ( al-harakah ) and silence ( al-sukun ) something. This description can be understood by looking at the three stages of the following argument:

a) All masses cannot be separated from movement and silence. The intellect can understand this explanation and it is impossible to say that the mass does not move and does not remain silent because it has gone far beyond the reasonable sense of reason.

b) Movement and silence is something new as it always changes. It is understandable that the silent mass will move and the mass of motion will stop moving. The exchange of positions between movement and silence shows it is something new. After moving, the mass will remain silent, so the nature of the previous movement is considered new as it has been lost due to the emergence of silence afterward. Similarly, new emerging silence is also considered new as it has just emerged. If the mass has qidam properties, it certainly will not disappear.

c) Something irrespective of new elements, then something is considered new. If the orbital rotation of a planet in the universe is not new eg no end, it will be denied with the possibility of the number of rounds whether first; even or odd, second; even and odd or third; not complete or unobtrusive. Firstly, if the duration of its lasting rotation is even, it will still be odd if added with one round again, and vice versa. So, how can something ever change if it's added to one more round? Secondly, if the steady rotation is concurrently even and oddly in the same time then it is impossible because even and odd is a contradictory nature. So, if even, then the rotation is not odd. Thirdly, if the sum of the spin is not even odd, then the rotation does not exist anymore, so it is impossible.

According to al-Ghazali (1999), based on these three reasoning arguments, the universe can not be separated from being associated with new elements. So, the universe is something new and it requires al-muhdith (something that renews it). This al-Ghazali method helps one to strengthen the argument and proof of the existence of Allah SWT after being explained to him the teachings of the Quran and based on the nature the man himself. These are used not too deeply but it is sufficient for the lay people who are not expert in the science of the faith in detail to understand it. What else is suitable for the preparation or when a society faces a deviation of faith. Al-Ghazali views that if there is a little bit of bid'ah and there is no dispute about the school, it is sufficiently taught to the inhabitants of the place where the faith is in the first clause of the superstition Qawa`id al-`Aqaid titled Tarjamah `Aqidah Ahl al-Sunnah fi Kalimatayn al-Shahadah in the book Ihya' 'Ulum al-Din . For them, the use of the arguments is not needed yet and it is necessary to ensure that the teaching of the teology is not a syubhat . If syubhat arises, then the arguments need to be presented as necessary. When the bid’ah is increasingly dispersed and fearful of affecting children, then they need to be taught using the faiths accompanied by the lack of profound profiling, as explained in the same subtopics in the third clause titled al-Risalah al-Qudsiyyah fi Qawa`id al-`Aqaid .

Conclusion

This paper concludes that al-Ghazali explains the existence of Allah SWT by using the passages of nature, nas and intellect. The doctrine of fitrah is embedded in the human being itself and it can be felt for someone who is not controlled by his lust. The arguments are taken from the seven Qur'anic verses known as al-kawniyyah verses which are the main arguments given by al-Ghazali. The arguments are closely related to the prophecy as they urge people to observe the universe to prove the existence of Allah SWT The order and the order of nature reveals the real evidence of the existence of Allah SWT which is known as the al-'inayah . The reasoning also includes using the theory of something new ( al-hadith ) is sure to have the reason ( al-sabab ) to make it. This nature includes new things based on three levels of argument; first, the mass cannot escape the movement ( al-harakah ) and silence ( al-sukun ); second, movement ( al-harakah ) and silence ( al-sukun ) shows change and new; and thirdly, something that's not out of date then it's new. These arguments are appropriate and desirable to be exposed and understood by the public especially when they are dealing with the bid'ah in the faith.

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