Objective:
To guide students through a transformative exploration of selected chapters from Imam al-Ghazali’s “Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din,” fostering a deep understanding of Islamic spirituality, ethics, and personal development. This course aims to enrich students’ spiritual lives and ethical understanding by delving into al-Ghazali’s comprehensive treatment of the inner dimensions of Islamic worship and conduct. Participants will engage with the text’s profound insights on self-purification, the dangers of the soul, and the virtues of knowledge and worship, applying these principles to their daily lives to cultivate a balanced and spiritually enriched lifestyle.
Required Texts: Selected Sections of the Ihya
Course Goals:
Fall 2025:
– Book 15: On the Duties of Brotherhood
– Book 16: On the Etiquette of Seclusion
– Book 17: On the Etiquette of Travel
– Book 18: On Music and Singing
Spring 2025:
– Book 19: On Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil
– Book 20: Etiquette of Living and the Prophetic Mannerism
– Book 21: The Marvels of the Heart
– Book 22: On Disciplining the Soul