Philosophers from Islam

3. Al-Ghazali (1058--1111): Theologian, Sufi, and Philosopher

If Al-Farabi and Ibn Sina are called the heroes of philosophy, then Al-Ghazali is frequently referred to as a strict critic of philosophy. But this is not a very precise description, as Al-Ghazali did not completely reject philosophy; rather, he criticized those things which, in his opinion, were contrary to Islamic doctrine.

Tahafut al-Falasifah (Incoherence of the Philosophers) is a gargantuan composition by Al-Ghazali criticizing the thought of earlier philosophers, such as Al-Farabi and Ibn Sina.  He disproved the concept of the eternality of the universe and doubted God's understanding of certain things.  Islamic traditions contrast with this line of thinking, according to Al-Ghazali.

Al-Ghazali also worked immensely in a positive way.  His encyclopedic work, Ihya' Ulum al-Din, in Sufism integrates Sharia, ethics, and spirituality.  He reaffirmed the timelessness of Sufism for Muslims and framed it within an orthodox tradition based on this work.  Al-Ghazali is therefore commonly referred to as Hujjatul Islam (Defender of Islam) because of the reconciliation of Sufism with Sharia that he made.

Not only did Al-Ghazali have a profound impact on the Islamic world, but his influence on Western philosophy was vast as well.  As just one example, his concept of methodological doubt is held to have inspired modern Western philosophers like Ren Descartes.  Consequently, Al-Ghazali serves as a bridge between the European and Islamic schools of thought in philosophy in the context of critical philosophy.

4. Ibn Rushd (1126--1198): The Defender of Philosophy

Ibn Rushd, in contrast to Al-Ghazali, was referred to as a philosopher.  He was born in Andalusia and used the name Averroes in the West.  Ibn Rushd was posthumously labeled "The Commentator" in Europe due to his prolific commentaries on nearly all the works of Aristotle.

In response to Al-Ghazali's polemic against philosophy, he composed his celebrated book, Tahafut al-Tahafut (The Incoherence of the Incoherence).  

Ibn Rushd maintained that religion and philosophy are complementary, not opposite.  
He maintained that reason is a divine gift to utilize to grasp revelation.  
This position justified utilizing reason to grasp religion, in the opinion of Ibn Rushd.

In the Middle Ages, Ibn Rushd had a significant impact on Europe.  His ideas spawned the Latin Averroism movement that affected scholastic philosophy.  In reality, his ideas concerning the compatibility of faith and reason were in part to blame for the beginning of the Renaissance.

Besides philosophy, Ibn Rushd also composed books on Islamic law (fiqh) and medicine.  It is an indication that one who is a Muslim scholar can specialize in so many different fields without abandoning their religious obligations.  The contributions of Ibn Rushd in the field of Islamic philosophy were not only limited within Islam; they helped shape world philosophy to a great extent as well.