Al Ghazali had a significant impact on Islam mainly in the areas of theology, philosophy and mysticism and this helps build Islam as a living religious tradition. Al Ghazali studied Aristotelian philosophy in order to completely appreciate it and he then used the philosophers’ judgment to point out errors in the Aristotelian philosophies. Muslims in Al Ghazali’s time were concerned about the creation of the universe. He argued if we accept time as a creation of God, then God created time, has control to end time, time began when the world was created and will stop when the world ends. Al Ghazali contested Aristotelian philosophy that if God knew all the details this would imply an advantage in his spirit therefore there would be no change in everlasting knowledge. Consequently, Al Ghazali assisted adherents in the Middle Ages to understand; that God does know all the details and this does not imply an advantage in his spirit. To highlight God’s supremacy and ability to know all things Al Ghazali used what the Qur’an said about God being all knowing.
Al Ghazali also disapproved the argument by many Muslims that disagrees with the resurrection of the body to make Islam a living religious tradition by describing the power of God. Al Ghazali broadened the idea that God is the creator of humans and disputed that if God has the power to create life then God has the same power to recreate life after death. He taught that bodies will be resurrected after death and people will be held accountable for their actions on Earth. Therefore he convinced Middle Age Muslims that they need to be aware of their actions and continue to live the way Allah did, consequently their actions makes Islam a living religious tradition.
At a time when Muslims were forgetting their ideals, Al Ghazali came about reinforcing these ideals making Islam the living religious tradition it is today. Highlighting the main beliefs of Islam as well as criticising these philosophies, Al Ghazali’s main contribution to Islamic theology was showing the relationship between God’s power and human acts.
He supported the idea of occasionalism however argued that there are two powers in human acts; gods’ power and human power. Al Ghazali saw both human and acts are creations of God, though how well humans perform God’s actions is reflected in human will. This highlights the supremacy of God by showing that humans are responsible for their own actions, consequently conveying Islam as a living religious tradition for the lives of its adherents.
Al Ghazali a significant person in Islam has helped shape Islam to be what it is today - a living religious tradition for the lives of its adherents. His contribution to Islam though his theories, knowledge and works have left a positive impact upon the Islamic world that continues into the present. An everlasting impact upon the faith, Muslims and the expansion of Islam to be one of the most popular religious traditions in the present world for the lives of its adherents is seen as Al Ghazali’s legacy.
However another significant person who helped shape Islam to be a living religious tradition is Aisha Bint Abu Bakr who was a leader, a woman, a wife, a theologian, a scholar and a political advocate. Through her attributes she has made a powerful impact on the development and expression of Islam. She not only influenced the status of women in Islamic society, ethics and the understanding and analysis of the Qur’an, but also showed these merits for men, women and children of Islam. Consequently through her actions she has built upon Islam and helped make it the living religious tradition for the lives of its adherents.
A significant practice in the lives of adherents is the Hajj, which ensures Islam to continue to be a living religious tradition that it is. The Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca that also fulfils the Fifth Pillar of Islam. Every Muslim should perform this pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime if they are financially able to. The Hajj unblocks all barriers of language, territory, colour, race and culture with the superior bond of faith. The Hajj expresses the beliefs of Islam through demonstrating the devotion to Allah, the one God; therefore Muslims surrender themselves to Allah and ask for forgiveness. This is what makes Islam the living religious tradition it is today on the lives of the adherents.
On the Hajj, Muslims retrace the footsteps of the Prophets, curse Satan, zakat, and pray for forgiveness and utter devotion to God. As set out in the Qur’an all Muslims must perform in a worthy manner- known as Ihram. The importance of the Hajj for both the individual and the Islamic community is enormous and this ensures Islam to remain a living religious tradition. It unites millions of Muslims from all around the world to complete the Fifth Pillar of Islam and allows the individual to be refreshed. Hajj is a pursue for salvation, holiness and a symbolic pilgrimage where the individual carries out the rituals. Through the completion of the Hajj this signifies that Islam is still a living religious tradition on the lives of its adherents.
Through the Hajj the individual gains a greater understanding of Islamic history, and sees how it has changed and expanded over time in order for Islam to be a living religious tradition. Also allows Muslims to become a better person with greater prospects of reward in the hereafter. The Hajj strengthens the spirit of unity and equality amongst the Islamic community and continues to strengthen today therefore conveying the idea of Islam being a living religious tradition on the lives of its adherents,
Inconclusion it can be said that Islam is a living religious tradition in the life of its adherents as it has developed and changed over time for the better by significant people like Al Ghazali and Aisha Bint Abu Bakr. It will continue to improve as a living religious tradition with its adherents coming together and being united as seen in the Hajj.
