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Hello, in the 11th century AD, the Middle East, particularly of the citizens of Baghdad,

Damascus and Jerusalem, was a flourishing centre of learning and cultural activity.

At the heart of its thriving intellectual community was Al Ghazali, one of the most eminent

Muslim Theologians and philosophers of his day.

In his book The Incaherence of the Philosophers, he attacked Arabs' collars who would become

immersed in Greek philosophy, arguing that their ideas were incompatible with Islamic doctrine.

He was renowned mystical thinker, with a strong interest in the tradition of Sufism, the idea

that Muslims can find divine love and knowledge through direct personal experience of God.

He also made a significant contribution to Islamic legal practice, asserting that the aim

of Sharia law is not to promote specific rules but to ensure the greater good.

Al Ghazali had a profound influence on later Muslim Theologians and is widely regarded

as playing a major role in the development of Islamic law and thought.

With me to discuss the life and work of Al Ghazali are Peter Adamson, professor of late

ancient and Arabic philosophy at the LMU in Munich, Karl Hillenbrand, professor of Islamic

history at Edinburgh and St Andrews universities, and Robert Gleeve, professor of Arabic studies

at the University of Exeter.

Peter Adamson, Al Ghazali was born in Persia in the middle of the century.

Can you tell us about the part of the world that he grew up in?

Right.

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