The Influence of Abu Hamid Mohammad Ghazali on the Religious Developments in India during the Mughal Empire

Abstract

Writings of Muhammad Ghazali had a significant impact on the religious developments of the Mughal Empire. Akbar, established a synthetic religion, called Dīn-i-Ilāhī, and by adopting policies based on tolerance towards the followers of different religions tried to resolve the conflicts between them. This provoked reactions among Sufi-scholars and the necessity of "revival" of religion turned their attention to Ghazali. We can mention Ahmad Sarhindi, Abdul-Haq and Shah Waliullah who have repeatedly cited Ghazali and two of them, Ahmad and Waliullah, like Ghazali, called themselves "renewer". The Ghazali's influence on them can be traced in these areas: An effort to compile the principles of the Shari'a and explain its inner meaning; Dealing with heresies and reviving the tradition; Establishing a parallel between Shari'a and Tariqa and criticizing those Sufis who went beyond the circle of Sharia; Opposition to philosophy; Writing works influenced by Ghazali's books.