Nusantara: Journal Of Law Studies
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2024): Nusantara: Journal of Law Studies

Revisiting Al-Ghazali’s Thought: Contemporary Integration of Islamic Spirituality and Economics for Community Development

Nurlinda (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Jul 2024

Abstract

This study revisits the thought of Imam Al-Ghazali to explore the contemporary integration of Islamic spirituality and economics as a comprehensive foundation for sustainable community development. Al-Ghazali’s intellectual legacy presents a holistic framework that harmonizes material welfare with spiritual growth, asserting that economic activity is an ethical and spiritual act oriented toward maslahah (public good) and taqwa (God-consciousness). Using a qualitative-descriptive method through a library-based and hermeneutic analysis, this research critically examines Al-Ghazali’s principal works—particularly Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din and al-Mustasfa—to reinterpret his economic and spiritual insights within the context of contemporary socio-economic challenges. The findings indicate that Al-Ghazali’s economic thought is anchored in the principles of maqasid al-shariah (the higher objectives of Islamic law), promoting balance between spiritual purification (tazkiyah al-nafs), justice (‘adl), and productive engagement (kasb). This integration reinforces the notion that the ultimate goal of economic development is not material accumulation, but the realization of human well-being (falah) through moral discipline and social equity. In the modern era, Al-Ghazali’s paradigm offers a transformative perspective to counteract moral decline, inequality, and materialism in global economic systems. Academically, this research contributes to the advancement of Islamic economic thought and spiritual ethics by reconstructing Al-Ghazali’s framework into a contemporary paradigm of integrative community development. It bridges classical Islamic scholarship with modern development discourse, offering a values-based model that aligns economic empowerment with ethical responsibility. Furthermore, the study provides a theoretical foundation for future interdisciplinary research linking Islamic spirituality, socio-economic justice, and sustainable development.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

juna

Publisher

Subject

Religion Humanities Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice

Description

Nusantara: Journal Of Law Studies is a double-blind peer-reviewed journal published by Islamic Research Publisher, Indonesia. The journal publishes research articles, conceptual articles, and book reviews of Law Studies (Aim and Scope). The articles of this journal are published tri-annually; March, ...