al-Qistās al-Mustaqīm
The Just Scales

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Module Description

‘The Just Scales’ is a book written by Imam al-Ghazali. It is the first of his three works demonstrating the relevance and importance of propositional logic in the Quran. In the book, Imam al-Ghazali explains how our intuitive reliance on reason allows us to express beliefs and opinions without contradiction. The book is set in a dialogue between Imam al-Ghazali and a follower of the Batiniyya school, which is considered a heretical group by Ahl al-Sunna wa-l-Jamaa because of its extreme esoteric beliefs.

The practical application of constructing well-formed, fair and balanced arguments is underscored by the mention of ‘scales of justice’ in the verse Q57:25.

‘Indeed, We sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and with them, We sent down the Scripture and the scales of justice so that people may administer justice.’

This reference serves as a reminder of the Quran’s relevance in guiding our everyday interactions and decisions. In this verse, messengers were sent with clear proofs, scripture, and the scales of justice so that people may administer justice. By assessing a proposition against the rules of logic, an argument can be considered valid or invalid based on the terms used to express it. The scales will be imbalanced if there is under- or over-compensation. A balanced argument results in a persuasive and incontestable argument.

Module Outline

	Week	Topic
Introduction Concerning the Rules of Knowledge	Week 1	What this work addresses, the way it was written. The use of the term ‘Just Scales’ inferred from the Quran and the use of rational and reasoned argument. The five syllogistic arguments existent in the Quran.
Syllogism The major premise	Week 2	The pure categorical syllogism Syllogism, i.e. a form of mediate inference in which a conclusion (natijah) necessarily results from the two given propositions taken together, one of which is the major premise (al-muqaddamat al-kubra) and other the minor premise (al-muqaddamat al-sughra.)
The middle term	Week 3	The middle term; the term which is common to the two premises in a syllogism and functions as a uniting link between them; it is, however, absent from the conclusion.
The minor premise	Week 4	The minor term, i.e. the term which is used as a subject in the conclusion of a syllogism.
The conditional conjunctive syllogism	Week 5	The conditional proposition consisting of two clauses or propositions called antecedent (muqaddam) and consequent (tali) related to each other conditionally like the statement: “If the sun shines, it is day”
The conditional disjunctive syllogism	Week 6	The conditional disjunctive proposition consisting of two clauses or propositions related to each other as two alternatives or disjunctives which mutually exclude each other like the statement: “Either this number is even, or it is odd”
The devil’s scale and the Batiniyya’s use of them	Week 7	The lack of distinction between a term and its application to two different things i.e. ‘greater’ is applied to God and the sun and other devices
The final messenger and scholarly heirs suffice there be Imams	Week 8	Clarifying the difference between the claim of infallible Imams and the Messenger of Allah and the role of scholarly heirs.
Saving from the darkness of disagreement	Week 9	People are of three categories, and each require an approach that will be relative in order for it to be effective.
Forms of analogy and opinion that result in falsity – The Conclusion	Week 10	The mistaken use of opinion exemplified in the Mutazilite position regarding God must do that which is only beneficial for the slave. And the falsity of analogy epitomised by those made by anthropomorphist. – The conclusion – Being mindful not to fall prey to pseudo arguments.

Module Text

Imam Ghazali is Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad, Abu Hamid Hujjat ai-Islam al-Ghazali al-Tusi

(Imam) Ghazali is Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad, Abu Hamid Hujjat ai-Islam al-Ghazali al-Tusi, the Shafi’i Imam, Proof of Islam, and Sufi adept born in Tabiran, near Tus Gust north of present-day Mashhad, Iran), in 450/1058. The Imam of his time, nicknamed Shafi’i the Second for his legal virtuosity, he was a brilliant intellectual who first studied jurisprudence at Tus and then travelled the Islamic world to Baghdad, Damascus, Jerusalem, Cairo, Alexandria, Mecca, and Medina, taking Sacred Knowledge from its masters, among them the Imam of the Two Sanctuaries Juwayni, with whom he studied until the Imam’s death, becoming at his hands a scholar in Shafi’i law, logic, tenets of faith, debate, and in the rationalistic doctrines of the philosophical schools of his time, which he was later called upon to refute. When Juwayni died, Ghazali debated the Imams and scholars of Baghdad in the presence of the vizier Nizam al-Mulk, who was so impressed that he appointed him to a teaching post at the Nizamiyya Academy in Baghdad, where word of his’ brilliance spread and scholars journeyed to hear him. ...Read More

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Shaykh Thaqib Mahmood

Shaykh Thaqib Mahmood’s educational journey in the Islamic disciplines comprises a rich tapestry of experiences from the late 90s to 2007. He sought knowledge in many locations, benefiting from and receiving licenses in general and specific areas from scholars in Yemen, Syria, Morocco, Turkey, Mauritania, Makkah and Madinah.

The central place of studying abroad unfolded in Damascus, where Shaykh Thaqib Mahmood immersed himself in a traditional curriculum. He received one-on-one tutoring for particular subjects or was part of a small group of students. Over time, he studied various subjects to their advanced levels with various scholars. This led to a comprehensive study of the well-known and established scholarly works, showcasing the depth of arguments and positions representing the mainstream understandings of this Ummah.

Since his return to the UK in the last 17 years, Shaykh Thaqib Mahmood has been actively involved in teaching a broad spectrum of Islamic disciplines, from Sirah to Tafsir. In addition developing educational programmes at the various institutions he’s been serving. His significant contributions include a 9-year tenure as a Quranic Arabic tutor at the University of Oxford, where he designed and developed the Quranic Arabic programme, which was previously neglected, bringing it up to par with the other languages taught at the Faculty of Theology and Religion. He also played a crucial role in creating the first approved BSL (British Sign Language) Adhan, providing essential knowledge of the Arabic phrases that BSL can best capture. His academic achievements include a PGDip in teaching communicative Arabic and an MA in linguistics; he completed both postgraduate programmes at SOAS, which have further enriched his understanding and teaching of Islamic disciplines....Read More

Location

INPERSON – Bury Park Community Centre, 161, 161b Dunstable Rd, Luton LU1 1BW
ONLINE – ZOOM – (Details will be provided closer to the time)

Date/Time

Starting – 27th April 2024 for 10 weeks
Saturday – 11.30AM to 12.30PM (In person & Online)

Module Content

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