The Rules and Method of Tawìl in al-Ghazålì

One of the most basic concerns of al-Ghazålì, which is observable in his shift toward taģawwuf (Sufism) is tawìl (esoteric commentary) and its methods. Although he rejected certain sects, such as the Båtinìs and Ismå'ìlìs, and criticized their approaches to interpreting the Quran, it is clear from his own rules of interpretation that he was in fact under influence of these sects, an influence which played a major role in Islamic intellectual history up until the time of Mulla Sadra (d. 1640 A.D.). This paper discusses the rules of tawìl and its divisions according to al-Ghazålì.