Al-Ghazali (1058–1111 CE) was a Persian Sunni theologian, philosopher and Sufi. Al-Ghazali defended Islamic belief with philosophical argument.

Kalam is Islamic theology that uses reason to defend belief. The kalam cosmological argument reasons from the universe's beginning to Allah.

How does al-Ghazali's kalam argument work?

Al-Ghazali argued that whatever begins to exist has a cause, and the universe began to exist. The universe must therefore have a cause, which is Allah.

Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B 1RB0

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Islam: Philosophy of Religion

The cosmological argument and al-Ghazali's kalam

3 things to know
Paper 3

Overview

Surah 79:27 to 33, al-Ghazali and the work where he set out his argument, Ibn Sina's contrasting argument, what it shows of Allah, non-religious challenges, and the question of what caused Allah.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Evaluation

How does the cosmological argument reason towards Allah?

Key term

What does Surah 79:27–33 teach?

Evaluation

How is Surah 79:27–33 used in the cosmological argument?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
How does the cosmological argument reason towards Allah?
Model answer
The cosmological argument reasons that everything that begins has a cause, so the universe must have one. Muslims identify that first cause as Allah.
2
What does Surah 79:27–33 teach?
Model answer
Surah 79:27–29 says Allah built the heaven, raised it and gave it night and brightness. Surah 79:30–33 says Allah spread the earth and brought forth water and pasture.
3
How is Surah 79:27–33 used in the cosmological argument?
Model answer
Surah 79:27–33 presents the universe as something Allah made. Muslims use it to show the universe depends on a creator for its existence.
4
Who was al-Ghazali?
Model answer
Al-Ghazali (1058–1111 CE) was a Persian Sunni theologian, philosopher and Sufi. Al-Ghazali defended Islamic belief with philosophical argument.
5
What is kalam?
Model answer
Kalam is Islamic theology that uses reason to defend belief. The kalam cosmological argument reasons from the universe's beginning to Allah.
6
How does al-Ghazali's kalam argument work?
Model answer
Al-Ghazali argued that whatever begins to exist has a cause, and the universe began to exist. The universe must therefore have a cause, which is Allah.

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The cosmological argument and al-Ghazali's kalam

Overview

What you need to know

How does the cosmological argument reason towards Allah?

What does Surah 79:27–33 teach?

How is Surah 79:27–33 used in the cosmological argument?

Questions from this subtopic

How does the cosmological argument reason towards Allah?

What does Surah 79:27–33 teach?

How is Surah 79:27–33 used in the cosmological argument?

Who was al-Ghazali?

What is kalam?

How does al-Ghazali's kalam argument work?

Other ways to work this

What is inside Levo

See a huge jump in your memorisation

Cram a whole paper in one sitting

Blank Blitz consolidates the facts

Build It trains answer structure

Test It catches misconceptions

Brain Breaks between sessions

Every question in Islam: Philosophy of Religion, on a schedule.