Impact of the Ancient Iranian Political Thought on Al-Ghazali`s Political Opinions

This article is an attempt to show how Abu Hamed Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Ghazali was influenced by the political philosophy of ancient Iran. Subconscious is originally a psychological concept now entered into politics. It is a source that manifests itself in a nation\'s attitude and philosophy unconsciously. Political subconscious is rooted in social imaginary. This article has recourse to Debray theory of mediology to prove that the fundamental concepts of political philosophy such as the unity of religion, state and the virtuous ruler were once preserved in Iranians` social imaginary and reproduced once again in the beliefs and opinions of the philosophers of the next eras through political subconscious. Al-Ghazali, the philosopher of the 5th century A.H who lived in a time different from that of Sassanid dynasty, with four centuries distance, has revived at the notion of the unity of religion, state and the virtuous ruler once again in his political opinions and accordingly his political opinions were under the influence of the ancient Iran.