The Issue of Reconciling Religion and Philosophy in Islamic Thought

Abstract

One of the most important aspects of Islamic philosophy, and one of the most significant areas of innovation within it, is the issue of reconciling religion and philosophy, or reason. This has been a fundamental issue for Islam throughout its long history. The interaction between Islamic culture and Greek philosophy produced a complex interplay of different intellectual currents, which later escalated into sharp divisions. One group, represented by scholars of Islamic law and philosophy, and supported by Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, believes that philosophy and Islamic law are inherently contradictory and unrelated. Another group of philosophers champions philosophy and sees no connection between the two (Islamic law and philosophy). A third group, led by Ibn Rushd (Averroes), seeks to reconcile these differences and establish a framework for dialogue.