Ghazali and the issue of physical resurrection; examination of Treiger&#039;s theory based on attributing the denial of physical resurrection to Ghazali

Nazari, Javad

doi:10.22034/hpi.2026.579904.1203

Ghazali and the issue of physical resurrection; examination of Treiger's theory based on attributing the denial of physical resurrection to Ghazali

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Javad Nazari

Ilam university. Ilam

10.22034/hpi.2026.579904.1203

Abstract

In The Incoherence of the Philosophers, Muhammad al-Ghazali excommunicates the philosophers on three grounds: denial of the origination of the world, denial of God’s knowledge of particulars, and denial of bodily resurrection. Nevertheless, Alexander Treiger advances the view that al-Ghazali, in his final position, did not believe in bodily resurrection. To this end, he adduces evidence from various works of al-Ghazali. In the present article, this evidence, together with other evidence to which Treiger has not referred, is examined. This evidence suggests Treiger’s claim; however, a descriptive-analytical approach, in light of al-Ghazali’s repeated explicit affirmations of bodily resurrection, shows that this evidence can be accounted for: in some of these cases, al-Ghazali appears to be concerned with explaining the spiritual dimension of resurrection, not denying its bodily dimension. In some others, where al-Ghazali raises the contrast between this world and the hereafter, an attempt is made to explain these cases on the basis of the occasionalism endorsed by al-Ghazali. In the end, the likelihood is strengthened that al-Ghazali did not abandon his belief in bodily resurrection.

Keywords

bodily resurrection

spiritual resurrection

this world and the hereafter

Alexander Treiger

Muhammad al-Ghazali

Subjects