Al-Ghazali's Theory of Islamic Law and Its Relevance in the Development of Usul Fiqh

Abstract

This article examines in depth Imam Al-Ghazali's Islamic legal theory as one of the main foundations in the development of classical ushul fiqh methodology and its relevance to the dynamics and challenges of contemporary Islamic law. This study focuses on the epistemological construction of Al-Ghazali's thought, the ijtihad method he formulated, and the orientation of maqāṣid al-syarī‘ah which is the hallmark of his legal approach. Al-Ghazali lived in a period marked by intellectual tension, conflict between schools of thought, and a moral crisis among the people, so that his thinking was not only normative, but also responsive to the social and religious realities he faced. This research uses a qualitative method with a library research approach, by critically examining Al-Ghazali's main works, especially al-Mustashfa min ‘Ilm al-Usul, which is positioned as a magnum opus in the field of ushul fiqh, as well as other supporting works such as al-Mankhul and Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din. Furthermore, this research utilizes relevant, cutting-edge academic literature to strengthen the analysis and conceptual dialogue with contemporary thought. The results of the study indicate that Al-Ghazali successfully established a methodological synthesis between revealed texts (naṣṣ) and rationality (‘aql) through the bayānī, qiyāsī, and istiṣlāḥī approaches, which positioned benefit as a crucial principle in establishing law. This synthesis not only addressed the intellectual problems of his time but also offered an adaptive, moderate, and contextual theoretical framework for the development and renewal of Islamic law in the modern era