Introduction
ʿIlmu ʾl-Ḥikmah (علم الحكمه), often translated as “Science of Wisdom” or “Philosophy,” reflects the depth and richness of Islamic intellectual tradition. This term is also synonymously known as ʿIlmu ʾl-Falsafah (علم الفلسفه), highlighting the interplay between wisdom (ḥikmah) and philosophy (falsafah).
Etymology
- ʿIlm (علم): Knowledge or science.
- Ḥikmah (حكمه): Wisdom. Both words combine to convey the study of wisdom, knowledge, or philosophy.
Background
Emerging from the heart of Islamic intellectual pursuit, ʿIlmu ʾl-Ḥikmah found its formative expressions during the Islamic Golden Age (8th-14th century). Muslim philosophers like Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), and Al-Ghazali integrated Greek philosophy into Islamic thought, all the while grounding it within the framework of Islamic tenets.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
Islamic philosophy (ʿIlmu ʾl-Ḥikmah) varies from Western philosophy in emphasizing the harmonious relationship between faith and reason. Unlike the often secular approach of Western philosophy, Islamic philosophy retains a foundational connection with divinity and spirituality.
Similarities:
- Both value rational inquiry and the pursuit of truth.
- Both have used dialogues and dialectical methods to debate profound issues.
Differences:
- In Islam, philosophy is entwined with spiritual truths and divine will, whereas Western philosophy often analyzes from a predominantly humanistic and secular angle.
Synonyms
- Islamic Philosophy (فلسفه اسلامي)
- Wisdom Studies (دراسات الحكمة)
- Rational Thought (فكر عقلاني)
Antonyms
- Irrationality (لا عقلانية)
- Dogma without reason
Related Terms
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ʿAql (عقل): Intellect or reason.
- Islamic philosophy values ʿAql as a means to understand both the material and divine realities.
-
Falsafah (فلسفه): Philosophy.
- A broader term which signifies the study of fundamental questions concerning existence, knowledge, values, and reason.
-
Sufism (تصوف): Mystical Islamic belief system focusing on the inward search for God and shunning materialism.
- Although rooted in spiritual rather than philosophical inquiry, it often intersects by providing holistic views with philosophical undertones.
Exciting Facts
- The translation movement in the Islamic Golden Age, particularly in Baghdad, led to the preservation and augmentation of Greco-Roman philosophical works, which were later translated into Latin, influencing European Renaissance thought.
Quotations
- Ibn Sina: “The world is divided into men who have wit and no religion and men who have religion and no wit.”
- Al-Ghazali: “Knowledge without action is wastefulness, and action without knowledge is foolishness.”
Suggested Literature
- “The Incoherence of the Philosophers” by Al-Ghazali
- Explores philosophical arguments and reconciles them with Islamic theology.
- “Al-Madina al-Fadila (The Virtuous City)” by Al-Farabi
- Delve into the political philosophy melding platonic ideals with Islamic thought.
- “The Book of Healing” by Ibn Sina (Avicenna)
- Comprehensive philosophical treatise covering logic, natural sciences, and metaphysics.
References
- Nasr, S.H., “Islamic Philosophy from its Origin to the Present”
- Leaman, O., “An Introduction to Classical Islamic Philosophy”
- Fakhry, M., “A History of Islamic Philosophy”
Quiz Time!
Farewell: “May the light of wisdom guide your thoughts and actions. Delve deep into the texts, and let ʿIlmu ʾl-Ḥikmah illuminate your path. 🕌✨”
