Assignment Title: Al-Ghazali’s Classification of Knowledge
(Philosophical Sciences)
Subject: Muslim Political Philosophy
Topic: Al-Ghazali on Knowledge Classification
Introduction
Imam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali (1058–1111 CE) was one of the most influential thinkers in
Islamic history. He was a theologian, jurist, mystic (Sufi), and philosopher. His works
reshaped Islamic philosophy, especially at a time when Muslim scholars were deeply engaged
with Greek philosophy.
One of Al-Ghazali’s most important contributions was his classification of knowledge,
especially how he organized religious and non-religious sciences. He believed that all
knowledge, if used correctly, is beneficial and leads to nearness to Allah. However, he warned
against those types of philosophical sciences that go against Islamic teachings.
Historical Background
During Al-Ghazali’s time, Muslim scholars were under the influence of Greek rationalism,
introduced by Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina, and others. They adopted Aristotelian logic, metaphysics,
and philosophy. Some scholars even preferred Greek logic over Islamic revelation (Naql).
Al-Ghazali initially studied philosophy deeply, but later criticized certain philosophical ideas in
his famous book:
📘 "Tahafut al-Falasifah" (The Incoherence of the Philosophers).
Al-Ghazali’s Classification of Knowledge
Al-Ghazali divided knowledge into two major categories:
1. Revealed (Religious) Sciences (Naqli )علوم نقلی
These are based on Qur’an, Hadith, and Shariah. They are essential for the spiritual and
moral development of human beings.
Examples:
Tafsir (Qur’anic interpretation)
Hadith (Prophetic traditions)
Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence)
Usul al-Fiqh (Principles of Islamic law)
Kalam (Islamic theology)
🔹 These are compulsory (fard 'ayn) for every Muslim to know at a basic level.
🔹 Scholars should master them for leadership in religion.
2. Rational (Intellectual or Philosophical) Sciences (Aqli )علوم عقلیہ
These are based on human reasoning, observation, and experimentation. Al-Ghazali accepted
many of these sciences, as long as they do not contradict the Qur’an and Sunnah.
He further classified rational sciences into four major groups:
a. Mathematics ()الریاضیات
Includes arithmetic, geometry, algebra, and astronomy.
Al-Ghazali approved of mathematics and believed it was useful in timekeeping, inheritance
laws, architecture, etc.
📝 Quote:
“Mathematics is not condemned in itself… It becomes harmful only if people wrongly assume
that all philosophers are infidels and reject religion.”
b. Logic ()المنطق
Tool for correct thinking and argument.
Al-Ghazali used logic to defend Islam and criticized misuse of it by Greek philosophers.
📝 Quote:
“Logic is a neutral tool. It can be used for good or evil. When used in defense of the truth, it
becomes a virtue.”
c. Natural Sciences ()الطبیعیات
Includes physics, biology, medicine, etc.
He supported them as long as they stay within the limits of Islam.
He praised medicine and said that it is part of caring for Allah’s creation.
d. Metaphysics ()االٰلیات
Deals with the nature of God, soul, afterlife, existence etc.
Al-Ghazali was very critical of metaphysics as taught by Greek philosophers like Aristotle and
Plotinus.
📌 In Tahafut al-Falasifah, he argued that philosophers:
Denied bodily resurrection
Believed the universe was eternal
Denied Allah’s direct knowledge of individuals
He declared these views as kufr (disbelief).
Al-Ghazali’s Conditions for Acceptable Knowledge
Al-Ghazali explained that not all knowledge is equal. To be acceptable and beneficial,
knowledge must fulfill certain conditions:
1. Must be in harmony with Islamic teachings
2. Should lead to good actions
3. Must not cause arrogance or doubt
4. Should help humanity and improve the soul
“Knowledge without action is madness, and action without knowledge is useless.” – Imam
Al-Ghazali
Views on Harmful Knowledge
Al-Ghazali warned against those branches of philosophy that:
Challenge divine revelation
Create confusion or misguide people
Lead to arrogance and loss of faith
He said that the “dangerous parts” of philosophy should be avoided by common people, and
only scholars with strong faith and deep understanding should study them — to refute them, not
follow them.
Al-Ghazali’s Impact on Muslim Thought
He balanced reason and revelation.
He made philosophy safe and Islamic by separating useful sciences from harmful ones.
He defended Islamic theology using logical tools.
He inspired both Sunni theology (Asharism) and Sufism through his synthesis of knowledge and
spirituality.
Conclusion
Al-Ghazali’s classification of knowledge shows his deep understanding of both Islamic faith
and rational sciences. He did not reject philosophy completely, but he separated what was
beneficial and Islamic from what was harmful and misleading.
He showed that true knowledge is the one that brings a person closer to Allah. His balanced
and wise approach made him one of the greatest thinkers of the Islamic world, and his ideas
continue to influence Muslim scholars, students, and institutions even today.
References
1. Al-Ghazali. Ihya Ulum al-Din (The Revival of Religious Sciences).
2. Al-Ghazali. Tahafut al-Falasifah (The Incoherence of the Philosophers).
3. Frank Griffel. Al-Ghazali’s Philosophical Theology. Oxford University Press.
