Islamic Philosophy: A Study on Ibn Rushd and Al-Ghazali's Conflict

This essay delves into the philosophical matters within Islam, focusing on the critical debate between Ibn Rushd and Al-Ghazali. It explores the differing perspectives on rationalism versus theocratic principles rooted in Sharia law, and how these conflicts may have hindered the philosophical advancement within Muslim societies, particularly in comparison to the Renaissance in the West. The essay highlights Ghazali's emphasis on Divine Intervention and contrasts it with Ibn Rushd's belief in knowledge gained through science and philosophy as a means to understand the Quran. The essay also examines the historical context, including the introduction of Greek philosophical ideas and the rise of the Ash'arite system. Ultimately, the essay concludes that the conflict between these two thinkers played a significant role in the development of Islamic intellectual thought.

Running head: ISLAMIC PHILOSOPHY
Islamic Philosophy
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1ISLAMIC PHILOSOPHY
The following essay will look to discuss on the philosophical matters in the Islam and the
problems that arose between Ibn Rushd and Ghazali. The backward conditions of the Muslim
people can be traced through this event and it identifies the reason why the Muslims are not able
to cope up with the philosophical advancement of the Christians in the Western countries.
The Renaissance in the Western countries began in the 14th century and this was actually
the rebirth of all the thoughts that the people of that region possessed. The renaissance had begun
due to the philosophical renaissance that actually existed in the West. It has been a matter of
disgrace for some of the Muslim societies that such types of rebirth and renaissance did not take
place in the Muslim regime (Heller-Roazen 2006). The Christian countries in the Western
countries were driven by the zeal for betterment and they have continued with their zeal for more
than 300 years. This had actually resulted in the development of the region and the changes took
place in all the realms like religion, politics, technology and philosophy.
The overall influences of Ibn Rushd had brought in the concept of the rationalism This
could have brought in new things into their society but problems arose with the advent of Al
Ghazali into the scenario. Ghazali believed in Sharia that actually depended on the theocratic
concepts of the Islam religion (Zampaki 2018). The concept of philosophy or the falsafa had
been brought in the society of the Muslims had been brought in their society in the 9th century
AD. Long with philosophy many other things like sciences, medicine, astronomy and
mathematics. The teachings of philosophy within Islam were slowly beginning in the Islamic
society (Heller-Roazen 2006). Basically, these Greek philosophic ideas had existed within the
Orthodox Islam.

2ISLAMIC PHILOSOPHY
The philosophers of the Muslim society did not challenge the orthodox ideas of the
philosophy (Al-Ghazzali 2007). During those days, the Muslim world was very much liberal and
tolerant of all those issues in those days. However, during the 1040 A.D. Ash'arite system of
Kalam slowly began to come into the system and this kind of liberal viewpoint gradually began
to go away (Fierro 2017). Therefore, the acceptance of the philosophic ideas was not done
thoroughly by the orthodox societies.
In this situation, it must be kept in mind that both Ghazali and Ibn Rushd believed in the
Quran and took it as the most essential thing for all the followers of Islamic community. There
are many similarities between both of them. On the other hand, there were some basic
differences between the two. Ghazali believed that Divine Intervention was the only way to get
to the roots of the enlightenment (Fierro 2017). On the contrary, Ibn Rushd believed that
expertise and knowledge gaining through science and philosophy would lead human beings to
understand the treasures of Quran.
In the final concluding section of the essay, it can be said that conflicts between Ghazali
and Ibn Rushd stopped the development of the Islamic community. The belief on science and
philosophy would have been the best way to understand the messages of the Quran.

3ISLAMIC PHILOSOPHY
References
Al-Ghazzali, I., 2007. Incoherence of the Philosophers. Adam Publishers.
Fierro, M., 2017. Ibn Rushd al-Ḥafīd (Averroes) and his exile to Lucena: Jewish ancestry,
genealogy and forced conversion. Al-Qanṭara, 38, pp.131-152.
Heller-Roazen, D., 2006. Philosophy before the Law: Averroës's Decisive Treatise. Critical
Inquiry, 32(3), pp.412-442.
Zampaki, T., 2018, May. Debating Attributes: Ibn Rushd (Averroes) vs. al-Ghazālī.
In Proceedings of the XXIII World Congress of Philosophy (Vol. 17, pp. 53-61).