Texts of Islam

Development of Muslim Theology: Appendix I: Illustrative Documents: IV: A Short Creed by Al-Ghazzali

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This is a creedal treatise (*aqida*) by the medieval Islamic theologian al-Ghazali, drawn from the second book of his *Ihya Ulum al-Din* (Revival of the Religious Sciences), originally intended as a memorizable summary of Sunni doctrine for children. Its primary subject is the correct theological understanding of the two declarations of the shahada — that there is no god but God, and that Muhammad is His messenger — systematically unpacking what belief in each entails. The bulk of the text is devoted to God's nature and attributes: His absolute unity, eternity, incorporeality, omnipotence, omniscience, will, and speech, each addressed with precision aimed at ruling out both anthropomorphism and pure negation. A notably careful move runs throughout: al-Ghazali affirms scriptural language literally (God is "seated on His Throne," "nearer than the jugular vein") while insisting these must be understood in ways entirely unlike bodily realities — a middle path characteristic of Ash'arite *kalam* theology. The treatment of divine speech is especially pointed, arguing that the Quran is eternal and uncreated yet exists in hearts and on pages without contradiction, and that Moses heard God's speech "without sound or letter." The text closes briefly on prophethood, asserting Muhammad's universal mission and the abrogation of prior revelations — framing orthodox belief as something requiring transmission through prophets, not reason alone.

Development of Muslim Theology: Appendix I: Illustrative Documents: IV: A Short Creed by Al-Ghazzali

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