| Summary: | The questions "what is revelation ? ", " what does revelation tell us and what are its implications on man ?" are important questions which Muslims have been attempting to answer since early Islamic times and for which we are still seeking answers even today. The answers to these questions would ultimately shape our Weltanshauung. All Muslims accept revelation. However, they differ on its meaning and implication For falsafa, its major proponent, al-Färabi, sees revelation as the ultimate culmination of the highest intellectual truths transformed and put into a symbolic language with power to motivate man to right action. Chapter 1 examines how al-Färdbi conceives of revelation as being the culmination of the highest intellectual truths transformed into moving expressions able to be understood by all and to drive all to action. Thus, revelation is an extension of reason, an expression of reason. Chapter 2 examines the role of reason in the works of al-Fübi in discovering knowledge by itself and the role of reason vis ä vis revelation. The rest of the thesis deals with al-Ghazäli's understanding of revelation. Al- Ghazäli as a representative of a major school of kaläm, the Ash'arites', saw revelation as an expression of God's will. Al-Ghazäli sought to place God's power and will as absolutes above . everything. He rejects any notion that it was necessary for God to act in a certain manner for it would be an impingement on God's power and will. Chapter 3 examines al-Ghazdli's direct discussions on revelation. Chapters 4,5, and 6 attempt to obtain al-Ghazäli's understanding of revelation through indirect means by deducing from his positions on religious issues his perception of revelation. Chapter 7 examines the role of reason in al-Ghazäli in discovering knowledge by itself and the role of reason vis a vis revelation.
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