This is not only an Islamic classic but also one of the great spiritual autobiographies in the religious tradition. al-Ghazali (1058-1111) is generally acclaimed as the most influential thinker of the Classical period of Islam. This volume contains a translation of Ghazali's autobiography The Deliverance from Error, in which the Imam describes his education and his intellectual crisis, which left him so paralysed by doubt that he was forced to resign the most distinguished academic appointment of his day.
Al-Ghazali is generally acclaimed as the most influential thinker of the Classical period of Islam, in THIS autobiography, the Imam describes his education and his intellectual crisis, which left him so paralysed by doubt that he he gave up his academic pursuits and worldly interests and became a wandering ascetic. This was a process (period) of mystical transformation. Later, he resumed his teaching duties, but again left these. An era of solitary life, devoted to contemplation and writing then ensued, which led to the authorship of a number of everlasting books (Many of which have been translated in English)

Contents

Preface by David Burrell		9
Introduction by William A. Graham		15
DELIVERENCE FROM ERROR		17
The Avenues to Sophistry and Skepticism		21
The Categories of Those Who Seek the Truth		24
The Aim and Purport of the Science of Kalam		25
Philosophy		27
The Categories of the Philosophers and the Fact That the Stigma of Unbelief Is Common to All of Them		29
The Divisions of the Philosophical Sciences		31
The Doctrine of Ta'limism and Its Danger		42
Discussion of the Ways of the Sufis		51
The True Nature of Prophecy and the Need All Men Have for It		59
The Reason for Resuming Teaching after Having Given it Up		64
Doctors of Hearts		64
The Slackness of Faith		66
My Return to Teaching		69
Remedies for the Tepid		72
Notes to the Translation		81

 Imam Al-Ghazali 
Abu Hamid Muhammad, famous in the world of learning as al-Ghazzal was born in 450 AH (1058 A.D). in Persia . He graduated from the Nizamia Madressa at Nishapur, with distinction.a very famous educational institution in Nishapur. Later he was appointed as a teacher at the Nizamia College in Baghdad, where he proved very successful in imparting knowledge to the scholars under his care. This valuable gift of sustaining interest of his pupils and passing on his knowledge to them made him so famous that students from all parts of the country flocked to study under him.
Imam al-Ghazzali was fondly referred to as the "Hujjat-ul-lslam", Proof of Islam, He is honoured as a scholar and a saint by learned men all over the world.