Al-Ghazali’s thought on Ethics of Living in the Society Based on Bidayah Al-Hidayah

Islam emphasizes the ethics of living among society, especially towards the Muslim community. Living among the society with ethics is considered as an attitude that must be cultivated, cultured and made as a guidance by Muslim individually when dealing with fellow human beings in their daily life. Some Muslim scientists through their scientific research have elaborated this issue as to be understood, embraced and cultivated in Islamic societies. Among them stood al-Ghazali who has been widely approved by the Muslim world as the mujaddid (reformer) of Islam for the fifth century also describes it as it is. This paper attempts to highlight the character's thoughts on the ethics of living in the society among the Muslims. This qualitative study was carried out using the content analysis method on Bidayah al-Hidayah book. At the end of this discussion, a summary on aspect of thought of al-Ghazali will be made clear on the ethics encompassed in the ethical descriptions on dealing with strangers in the community, friends and companions. This paper will conclude the ethics described by al-Ghazali to be practiced and cultivated by Malaysian communities in order to preserve harmony and peace within the society.