Al-Ghazali lived at a time similar to the one we live in today, when the inward and outward practices of Islam had become divided and a collective spiritual crisis of the heart prevailed. He realized that in spite of all his knowledge, he was of no use battling this crisis because his own heart was filled with pride. How could he aid his brothers in the transformation of their hearts when his own heart was diseased?
Born in 1058, in Tus, Khorasan (in present-day Iran), Abu Hamid al-Ghazali was one of the most original thinkers the world has known. Besides being a major influence in the Muslim world, the ideas central to his work have also expanded out to affect the West as well. He influenced major figures of medieval philosophy, such as Thomas Aquinas and Moses Maimonides, who shaped the philosophy of the Latin West. As the author of some 250 books on topics ranging from theology and ethics to metaphysics and philosophy, al-Ghazali came to be known as ‘Proof of Islam’. For almost a thousand years he has served as an inspiration for spiritual seekers everywhere as he was someone, like the Buddha, who was willing to give up everything, wealth, position, family, and comfort, in order to search for Truth.
This film sets out to discover who al-Ghazali was and whether we, living in the 21st century, can still find relevance in his teaching.
With Robert Powell as the voice of Al-Ghazali
FEATURING:GHORBAN NADJAFI, DARYUSH ARJMAND, MITRA HAJJAR, ABDOLREZA KERMANI
Director of Photography: Mahmoud Kalari
Art Direction: Malak Khazai
Screenplay: Simon van der Borgh
Editor: Gabriela Enis
Music: Dirk Campbell
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: TJ WINTER & PS GILDERS
PRODUCED & DIRECTED BY OVIDIO SALAZAR
SPECIAL FEATURES:
ADDITIONAL INTERVIEWS WITH SHAYKH HAMZA YUSUF & DR. KARIM D. CROW