Philosophical and Spiritual Experience of Ultimate Reality: Analyzing Ghazālī’s Methodology with reference to Contemporary Religious Research Paradigm

Abstract

This academic work encompassed a panorama of philosophical and spiritual experience of ultimate reality with respect to methodology of Abū Ḥāmid Ghazālī. The systematic review of literature concluded that Ghazālī employed the rational and spiritual techniques to accomplish the ultimate truth. The research determined that he in the beginning of his journey, believed in two ways (logic & path of Sufis) to accomplish truth but later found that ultimate reality could only be attained by mystical experience which directly means to purify the lower self. Moreover, he shared his experience and opened a gateway for further research by providing rational foundations for mystical experience. The study in this context, presented a nexus between his methodology and contemporary research paradigm. Analytical research method was employed for the collection and analysis of data.