Seeking certitude: Iktisāb and Ilhām in imam al-Ghazālī's theory of knowledge

This thesis explores the two paths to 'ilm (knowledge) in Imam al-Ghazālī's theory of knowledge—iktisāb (acquisition) and ilhām (inspiration). In Imam al-Ghazālī's thought, these two paths relate to the two domains of knowledge—'ilm al-ẓāhir (exoteric knowledge) and 'ilm al-bāṭin (esoteric knowledge) respectively. 'Ilm al-ẓāhir of the sharī'ah (Revelation) and of Reality is acquired through iktisāb of the senses and the reason, while 'ilm al-bāṭin is attained through divinely granted ilhām. Imam al-Ghazālī designates 'ilm al-ẓāhir as the primary domain of the sharʿī sciences, while 'ilm al-bāṭin is the domain of 'ilm al-mukāshafah (the science of unveiling) more commonly referred to as taṣawwuf. A primary focus of this thesis is to apply Imam al-Ghazālī's terminology and explore the methods of iktisāb of knowledge employed in the sharʿī sciences, which we have classified as three distinct epistemic paths: the historical-empirical path of ḥadīth, the rational path of kalām, and the joint historical-empirical and rational path of fiqh. This thesis also explores the nature and means of ilhām in Imam al-Ghazālī's formulation of 'ilm al-mukāshafah which we classify as the fourth major epistemic path in Islamic thought. This thesis argues ultimately that while Imam al-Ghazālī identifies and esteems two separate paths to knowledge—iktisāb and ilhām—which relate to the two forms of knowledge—'ilm al-ẓāhir and 'ilm al-bāṭin—it is knowledge of the bāṭin, granted through divine gifts of mukāshafah directly unto the heart-soul of Man which constitutes the highest forms of all knowledge and certitude possible for Man—ḥaqq al-yaqīn. Such yaqīn corresponds to the mushāhadah of tawḥīd and, we argue, represents a state of true ineffability in Imam al-Ghazālī's thought.