Publisher/Manufacturer: MAT Media Films
Product specifications: Combination film and documentary
Item type: DVD (Region 0)

Product description:

Exploring the life and impact of the greatest spiritual and legal philosopher in Islamic history, this film examines Ghazali's existential crisis of faith that arose from his rejection of religious dogmatism, and reveals profound parallels with our own times. Ghazali became known as the Proof of Islam and his path of love and spiritual excellence overcame the pitfalls of the organised religion of his day. His path was largely abandoned by early 20th century Muslim reformers for the more strident and less tolerant school of Ibn Taymiyya. Combining drama with documentary, this film argues that Ghazali's Islam is the antidote for today's terror.

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Born in 1058 in Tus, Khorasan, in present-day Iran, Abu Hamid al-Ghazali was one of the most original thinkers the world has known. Besides being a major influence in the Muslim world, the West has also felt his effect. He influenced major figures of medieval philosophy such as Thomas Aquinas and Moses Maimonides, who shaped the philosophy of the Latin West. As the author of some 250 books on topics ranging from theology and ethics to metaphysics and philosophy, al-Ghazali came to be known as ‘Proof of Islam’. For almost a thousand years he has served as an inspiration for spiritual seekers everywhere as he was someone, like the Buddha, willing to give up everything: wealth, position, family and comfort in order to search for Truth.

This film sets out to discover who al-Ghazali was and whether we, living in the 21st century, can still find relevance in his teaching.

"The film is a remarkable achievement, capturing not only the drama of Ghazali’s life and the texture of the world in which he lived, but also skilfully distilling the significance of major themes in his writings. This is no small feat: the art of dramatizing ideas. I cannot wait to show it in my courses on Medieval Muslim Thought." - FAROUK MITHA University of Victoria, Canada

with Robert Powell as the voice of al-ghazali

FEATURING:GHORBAN NADJAFI, DARYUSH ARJMAND, MITRA HAJJAR, ABDOLREZA KERMANI

Director of Photography: Mahmoud Kalari

Art Direction: Malak Khazai

Screenplay: Simon van der Borgh

Editor: Gabriela Enis

Music: Dirk Campbell

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: TJ WINTER & PS GILDERS

PRODUCED & DIRECTED BY OVIDIO SALAZAR

SPECIAL FEATURES:

ADDITIONAL INTERVIEWS WITH SHAYKH HAMZA YUSUF & DR. KARIM D. CROW

Running Time 80mins Approx
© Matmedia Productions