Islamic Thought

Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (1058–1111 CE) was among the most influential thinkers in Islamic history. His Ihya Ulum al-Din synthesized law, theology, and mysticism, while his critique of Aristotelian rationalism and account of spiritual crisis remain landmarks of medieval thought.

The Mu'tazilite school of Islamic theology gives priority to reason in interpreting matters of belief. It emerged in Basra in the early eighth century, was the official doctrine of the Abbasid state under al-Ma'mun and his two successors, and set out its theology under five principles.