Aquinas, Al-Ghazali, Mysticism, and the Knowledge of God

Is a mystical experience the highest knowledge of God? Both Aquinas and Al-Ghazali turned away from their work in philosophy and theology after having a mystical experience. This teaches a radical discontinuity between this life, which is at best a preparation, and the next life where there is the beatific vision. The works of God are set aside in favor of Aristotelian contemplationism.