Al-Ghazali
The Rule of Interpretation
Written work
The Rule of Interpretation
قانون التأويل (Qanun al-ta'wil)
A short epistle formulating the rule for resolving apparent conflicts between reason and the literal sense of Scripture: one interprets allegorically only when rational demonstration requires it, and cautiously in matters reason cannot reach. It is a central text for understanding his hermeneutics.
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Authorship note
Authentic; a reply to a disciple's questions, from his last period (Griffel).
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Other works by Al-Ghazali
- The Revival of the Religious Sciences (Ihya ulum al-din) · 1097
- The Extensive (Shafi'i law) · 1088
- The Intermediate (Shafi'i law) · 1090
- The Concise (Shafi'i law) · 1101
- The Quintessence of the Epitome
- The Sifted Notes on the Foundations · 1085
- The Healing of the Thirsty (on legal reasoning) · 1093
- The Essentials of Legal Theory · 1109
- The Foundation of Analogy
- The Aims of the Philosophers · 1094
- The Incoherence of the Philosophers · 1095
- The Standard of Knowledge (logic) · 1095
- The Touchstone of Reasoning (logic) · 1095
- The Criterion of Action · 1095
- The Correct Balance · 1100
- Moderation in Belief · 1095
- The Jerusalem Epistle · 1096
- The Decisive Criterion for Distinguishing Islam from Clandestine Unbelief · 1101
- Restraining the Common People from Theology · 1111
- The Infamies of the Batinis (al-Mustazhiri) · 1095
- The Excellent Refutation of the Divinity of Jesus from the Gospel
- The Book of the Forty (principles of religion) · 1100
- The Jewels of the Qur'an · 1100
- The Noblest Aim: on the Beautiful Names of God · 1100
- Dictation on the Difficult Passages of the Ihya · 1105
- The Beginning of Guidance · 1100
- The Precious Pearl (on the science of the hereafter) · 1100
- The Niche of Lights · 1106
- Deliverance from Error · 1108
- The Alchemy of Happiness · 1105
- Counsel for Kings · 1109
- The Virtues of Mankind: Letters of the Proof of Islam · 1111
- Refutation of the Antinomians · 1106
- O Disciple (Letter to a Disciple)
- The Path of the Worshippers
- What Is to Be Withheld from the Unworthy
- The Lesser Withheld Book (Answers on Eschatological Questions)
- The Epistle on Divinely Bestowed Knowledge
- The Ladders of Holiness in the Degrees of Self-Knowledge
- The Unveiling of Hearts
- The Secret of the Two Worlds
- The Wisdom in God's Creatures
- Book of Counsel
Sources
- Griffel, Frank. Al-Ghazali's Philosophical Theology. Nueva York: Oxford University Press, 2009 (cap. 1: biografía y cronología).
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