IMAM AL-GHAZALI'S POLITICAL AND SCIENTIFIC POSITIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE ABBASID CALIPHATE

The aim of this research is to understand Al-Ghazali's intellectual and scientific background, the approach he followed in his understanding of Islamic law, and his penetrating mind for memorization and understanding. He was aware of the situation in all its aspects during the Abbasid state, and despite his avoidance of direct relations with the men of authority, he confronted people with the obligation to obey the caliphs, considering them symbols of Islam and Muslims, and the importance of obeying the ruler. The research reached the following conclusions: It can be said that Al-Ghazali succeeded in decisively and effectively confronting the beliefs of the philosophers, by relying on Islamic law as a strong basis for confronting these ideas and exposing their falsity. Al-Ghazali's stances toward philosophers and their ilk were decisive and deterrent, clarifying the dubious ideas that offend Muslims' beliefs and the rulings of Islamic law. Al-Ghazali's goal was to preserve the unity of the Islamic community from engaging in deviant ideas and sciences that cast doubt on Islamic law, and to preserve its cohesion alongside the Abbasid Caliphate. Imam al-Ghazali turned to Sufism with the goal of attaining the pleasure of God Almighty and achieving success and salvation in the afterlife. Imam al-Ghazali (d. 505 AH) believed that true Sufism was almost nonexistent in his era due to the small number of people following the correct path of Sufism. Imam al-Ghazali believed that corruption had crept into the ranks of Sufis in his time due to their deviation from the true path of Sufism. Imam al-Ghazali believed that anyone seeking true Sufism needs a teacher and sheikh to guide and direct them, to free them from ignorance and prevent them from falling into error.