As a result, the term "ālim" (ulamā) began to be used to describe a scholar in a general sense, particularly one who engages in intellectual processes. This shift in meaning has faced strong criticism from Ghazālī in his work Iḥyā.
The shift in usage led to the term "ālim" (ulamā) being applied more generally to describe a scholar who engages in intellectual activities, especially those focused on abstract concepts. This broader application has been challenged by Ghazālī in his work Iḥyā.