The Attitude of Islam towards Science and Philosophy

Are philosophy and science conciliatory or contradictory? This extraordinary question will continue to baffle the minds of philosophers, scientists and thinkers. Here we aren't concerned with this query nor are we planning to draw a common platform where these two can co-exist despite the fact that their subject matter in general and methodology in particular differ. While one rests from Generalizations to Particulars, the other rests from Particulars to Generalizations. But we are confronted with a more difficult subject of linking a religion with these two, and finding any remote chance whether the religion i.e., Islam is favourable or hostile to it?

This book under review as its name suggests is but opposite to it because it is basically english translation of Ibn Rushd's (Averroes) Treatise Faslul Al Maqal by the authors who have not only translated it, but written biography of Ibn Rushd as well as a chapter entitled Ghazzali And Ibn Rushd Conflict and Concord plus reflections on Thought and Works of Ibn Rushd, which thus rightly justifies its name. Islam brought in its wake a literary, academic and intellectual revolution. Philosophy, which was a traditional branch of real academics evolved from Greek thought, was especially churned, refined and cultured by Muslim thinkers. Though the claim that philosophy was the cause for decline, root of vices, and insane indulgence of Muslims might be a bit true but the credit for enriching Philosophical Thought goes to Muslims.

Dr. Hamid Naseem Rafiabadi, an authority on Imam Ghazzali and author of several books on Philosophy categorically denies the view of Resistant Block to the opinion of Decline of Philosophy. While reducing the gap between these two philosophers; one who wrote Tahafatul-Falasifah (Incoherence of Philosophers) which was rebutted by Ibn Rushd's Tahafat Ul Tahafat (Incoherence Of Incoherence), as they are generally considered antagonistic towards, Rafiabadi opines with proof: "The debate between Ghazzali and Ibn Rushd constitutes the most profound encounter between Theology and Philosophy. Ghazzali's interest was religious and Ibn Rushd's was philosophical, but both worked in the philosophic medium and both upheld a unified outlook on philosophy and religion. For Ghazzali there was no conflict between Faith and Knowledge except in details and in the perversity of the followers of each school. For Ibn Rushd philosophy was a means to strengthen faith and to deepen one's appreciation for Truth. As a matter of fact, Ghazzali set the agenda for Ibn Rushd and hence books of both these thinkers are interlocked as the discussion goes on around the doctrines of philosophers” (P-124). This is the strong chapter of the book where the author sets the trend and scope for further research, debate and discussion.

The translation of Faslul-al-Maqal is spread over less than 40 pages and is very lucid. The other issues taken up by the authors makes this book indispensable for serious students of Philosophy who wish to understand the influence of Aristotalian and Neo-Platonist Philosophers on Muslim Philosophers and the general attitude of Muslims toward Philosophy. This is besides their resistance to the Philosophy which went against the basic tenants of Islam leading the philosophers to label the opponent as heretic and insane.

This book is a genuine addition to the world literature of Philosophy available in English language. This book in its depth also calls for the condemnation and shunning of apathetic attitude towards pluralist academic freedom. Overall the book is nice read but spelling mistakes spoil the taste of reading.

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