ISLAMIC PHILOSOPHY Meaning and
Definition
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Islamic philosophy refers to the branch of philosophy that emerged within the Islamic intellectual tradition, encompassing a wide range of philosophical and theological inquiries. It is characterized by its engagement with key Islamic texts, such as the Quran and the Hadith, as well as the incorporation of principles from Greek, Hellenistic, Persian, and Indian philosophical traditions.
Islamic philosophy developed during the classical period of Islamic civilization (approximately the 9th-16th centuries CE) and is deeply rooted in the works of Muslim thinkers such as Al-Farabi, Avicenna (Ibn Sina), Al-Ghazali, and Averroes (Ibn Rushd). These philosophers sought to reconcile Islamic religious beliefs with reason and rationality, addressing a wide range of topics including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and political philosophy.
One of the central aspects of Islamic philosophy is the concept of tawhid, the oneness of Allah, which serves as a foundation for understanding reality and knowledge. Islamic philosophers also grapple with issues such as free will and predestination, the nature of the self, the problem of evil, and the relationship between faith and reason.
Islamic philosophy played a significant role in transmitting and translating Greek philosophical works into Arabic, preserving and expanding upon ancient knowledge. It had a profound influence on subsequent philosophical and scientific developments in both the East and the West, as well as contributing to the broader intellectual, cultural, and artistic achievements of Islamic civilization.
Etymology of ISLAMIC PHILOSOPHY
The word "Islamic" is derived from the Arabic term "Islam", which means "submission" or "surrender". It is a monotheistic religion founded in the 7th century CE by the Prophet Muhammad in the Arabian Peninsula. The word "philosophy" comes from the Greek term "philosophia", meaning "love of wisdom" or "the pursuit of knowledge".
The term "Islamic philosophy" is used to refer to the philosophical traditions that emerged within the Islamic world, particularly during the medieval Islamic Golden Age (8th to 14th centuries CE). Islamic philosophy developed as a result of the integration of Greek philosophical ideas, primarily from Aristotle, Plato, and Neoplatonism, with Islamic theology, law, and other religious and cultural influences.
The formation of Islamic philosophy was influenced by the translation movement in the Islamic world, where works of Greek philosophy were translated into Arabic, Persian, and other languages.
