He left Baghdad despite his rank, pre-occupied with matters of devoutness. Then the situation changed, and he began to view his life from a different perspective. His rank in Baghdad rose above that of princes, viziers, men of reverence, and the household of the Caliphate. His teaching and debating received unanimous approval whereupon he became the Imam of Iraq after having attained the status of Imam of Khorasan. Nizam al-Mulk decreed that he travel to Baghdad in order to teach at al-Nizamiyyah, so he set out. Imam al-Ghazali name became known and his fame spread.

It was there that Imam Ghazali had many chances to demonstrate his prowess in debating luminaries. The gathering of Nizam al-Mulk was the flocking place of revered scholars and the aim of imams of merit. He devoted himself to it and attained a position of great importance therein due to his lofty rank and refined argumentation. Imam al-Ghazali then left Nishapur and attended the assembly of the vizier Nizam al-Mulk.

The Imam would boast of him and hold his closeness to him in high regard. He was assigned to teach and offer guidance to students during the lifetime of his imam, and he also authored works. He emerged as the most discerning man of his era and singular amongst his peers. He strove earnestly and exerted himself until he graduated after a brief period of time. He then went to Nishapur where he attended the lessons of Imam al-Haramayn. He began with some jurisprudence (fiqh) there as a child. Imam Ghazali was born in Tus in the year four-hundred and fifty. Imam al-Ghazali was born in the city of Tus, the second city of Khorasan after Nishapur, in the year 450 A.H. He is the Imam, the Beauty of Religion and Proof of Islam, Abu Hamid Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Ghazali of Tus, then Nishapur - the jurist, Sufi, Shafi'i, and Ash'ari. The following is excerpted from the introductions to IGI’s translations of al-Ghazali’s treatises Ayyuhal Walad and Concerning Divine Wisdom in the Creation of Man.

Al ghazali kohler biodata