Distorsi Makna Terminologi Keilmuan dalam Tradisi Islam: Telaah Pemikiran al-Ghazali dalam Bab Ketiga Kitab al-‘Ilm Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din

Abstract

This study examines the distortion of meanings in scientific terminology within the Islamic intellectual tradition by analyzing the ideas of al-Ghazali in the third chapter of the Book of Knowledge in Ihya’ Ulum al-Din. The problem addressed in this research arises from the gap between the theoretical understanding of key scholarly terms in classical Islamic texts and their contemporary use in public discourse, where these terms are often reduced to narrow and pragmatic meanings. The purpose of this study is to explore how al-Ghazali identified the transformation of meanings in several central concepts of knowledge and to understand their relevance for interpreting contemporary discourse on Islamic scholarship. The research employs a qualitative approach through library research, focusing on textual examination of the relevant sections of Ihya’ Ulum al-Din. Data were analyzed using content analysis to identify conceptual patterns and interpret the changes in meaning of several terms related to knowledge. The findings reveal that al-Ghazali critically highlighted the transformation of several scholarly terms that were originally associated with comprehensive intellectual, ethical, and spiritual dimensions but gradually shifted toward limited interpretations related to formal knowledge, argumentative skills, or legal authority. This transformation reflects a broader change in the orientation of knowledge within Muslim intellectual practice. The study concludes that revisiting al-Ghazali’s perspective provides an important conceptual framework for restoring the holistic meaning of scientific terminology in the Islamic tradition and contributes to the development of a more integrated understanding of knowledge in contemporary Islamic thought and education.