اختيارات الإمام الغزالي الأصولية في باب الاجتهاد

Abstract

This study is an analysis an inductive study of al-Imam al-Ghazali's choices of usuli opinion especially that concern the subejct matter of Ijtihad. This study will attempt to answer these following questions: What are his usuli choices in the subject matter of Ijtihad? What are the factors or reasons behind these choices? Does his choices in said subject in agreement with the opinion of the majority of usuli scholars or against it? In order to answer these questions, the researcher will analyze al-Imam al-Ghazali's usuli writings especially his work al-Mustafa to determine and pinpoint his choices, and then follow and inductive reasoning approach to investigate the reason behind these choices. Through this research it can be ascertain that some his choices are in agreement with the opinion of the majority of usuli scholars, and some of it are against it, while in some cases he suspended from taking any standing. The researcher concludes that the reason behind theses choices is his view that all usuli pricnciples and problems are definite, that in turn causes his heavy reliance on definitive proofs to confirm or negate usuli principles and problems, which explains his rebuttal of some of the speculative proofs hold by the majority of usuli scholars, and in some instances, he interprets those proofs to confirm with his opinion of choice. And in the absence of any definitive proof, he suspend from choosing any opinion.