ʿUzla
Definition
ʿUzla is the more general concept of withdrawing from unnecessary social mixing — not necessarily a formal retreat but the habitual limiting of one's social exposure to what is genuinely necessary and beneficial. Al-Ghazali discusses the conditions under which uzla is recommended: when the dominant character of the society is corruption, when one's own character is not yet strong enough to resist social pressure, or when specific social circles are actively harmful to one's faith. He also discusses when uzla becomes irresponsible — when social obligations to family, community, and the propagation of good go unfulfilled in the name of personal purity.
As understood in the classical tradition of Imam al-Ghazali and the scholars of his school.
Appears in
1 book in the library
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