Abu Hamid Ghazzali's Different Views on the Science of Kalam

Access to the Knowledge of God, from Ghazzali’s viewpoint, is possible from two ways: the way of “teaching” and the way of “discipleship” (mystical journey). The first way is suitable for an intelligent youngman who has access to a scholar and an independent person, but the way of “mystical Journey” is suitable for those people who by spiritual struggle, worship, cutting of worldy bonds and the aid of divine mercy become aware of heavenly realities. From his point of view dogmatic affirmation and purity of heart from any doubt in faith is necessary for all people. But those people who believe in God imitatively and possess some intelligence, if they become doubtful about their religious convictions or by hearing dubious matter their hearts become affected (in particular in a period where the heretics by inculating doubts are trying to deceive the believers in God) some people - as a sufficient necessity - must become well-versed in kalam and as a necessary precaution to teach them the argument which are common in kalam.However, Ghazzali thinks that the role of mutakalim is to protect and defend people’s religious convictions against heresies, without believeing that his knowledge and faith should be valued more than deserves it.On the other hand, common people and the individuals who have no necessary ability and intelligence to understand reality and are involved in a profession should not engage themselves in theological debates. Ghazzali believes that this group should be invited to God by preaching and they are to be warned against controversial problems about religious matters. Ghazzali considers the faith acquired from theological arguments weak and instead regards the faith of those people deep who either in childhood through auditory and successive teachings of faith have been established or have experiented faith after puberty and by the aid of worship and invocation have completed it and the lights of the knowledge of God have enlightened their hearts.In the present article different views of Gazzali about the science of kalam will be considered in detail.