Human Sciences &

Law & Jurisprudence

1
Known in the West by the name
Avicenna
born in Asfahan near Bukhara
(Central Asia)
By the age of ten, he was well versed
in the study of the Quran and basic
sciences.
He was the most famous physician,
philosopher, encyclopedist,
mathematician, and astronomer of
his time.
2
Abu Ali Al-Hassan Ibn
Abdullah
Ibn Sina (981-1037)
At the age of seventeen, Ibn Sina was able
to provide a cure to Nooh ibn Mansor,
king of Bukhara, of an illness well-known
physicians fail to treat
On his recovery, the king wished to
reward him. The young physician only
requested permission to use his stocked
library.
Ibn Sina traveled to Jurjan after his
fathers death where he met his famous
contemporary Abu Raihan al-Biruni
3
Ibn Sinas major contribution to medical
science is his famous book known as al-Qanun
fi al-Tibb, known as Canon in the West.
In his book, Ibn Sina reviewed the medical
knowledge available from ancient and Muslim
sources and made many original
contributions.
Ibn Sn was interested in the effect of the
mind on the body, and wrote a great deal on
psychology, likely influencing Ibn Tufayl and
Ibn Bajjah. He also introduced medical herbs.
the Canon was still used as a textbook in the
universities of Leuven and Montpellier.
4
A Latin copy of The Canon of Medicine, dated
1484, located at the P.I. Nixon Medical
Historical Library of The University of Texas
Health Science Center at San Antonio, USA.
An Arabic copy of The Canon of Medicine, dated 1593
Dr William Osler, author of the Evolution
of Modern Science, writes, The Qanun
has remained a medical bible for a longer
period than any other book.
Ibn Sina also wrote Kitab al-Shifa (Book of
Healing), known in its Latin translation as
Sanatio: A philosophical encyclopedia
covering a vast area of knowledge from
philosophy to science.
7
The Qanun deals with:
general medicines,
drugs (seven hundred and sixty),
diseases affecting all parts of the body from head to
foot, especially pathology and pharmacopoeia.
The Qanun was recognized as the most
authentic materia medica.
(Materia medica Materia medica Materia medica Materia medica is a Latin medical term for the body
of collected knowledge about the therapeutic properties of
any substance used for healing (i.e., medicines). In Latin,
the term literally means "medical material/substance and
was replaced in medical education contexts by the term
pharmacology.)
Among Ibn Sinas original contributions was
discovery of the contagious nature of phthisis
and tuberculosis, distribution of diseases by
water and soil, and interaction between
psychology and health.
8
Ibn Sina was the first to describe meningitis
and made rich contributions to anatomy,
gynecology and child health.
(Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes
covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the
meninges)
Ibn Sina was the first scientist to describe
the minute and graphic description of
different parts of the eye, such as conductive
sciera, cornea, choroid, iris, retina, layer lens,
aqueous humour, optic nerve and optic chiasma.
9
Ibn Sina condemned conjectures and
presumptions in anatomy and called upon
physicians and surgeons to base their
knowledge on a close study of human body.
Ibn Sina observed that Aorta at its origin
contains three valves which open when the
blood rushes into it from the heart during
contraction and closes during relaxation of
the heart so that the blood may not be
poured back into the heart.
10
Theology
Ibn Sn was a devout Muslim and sought to reconcile
rational philosophy with Islamic theology. His aim was to
prove the existence of God and his creation of the world
scientifically and through reason and logic.[72] Avicenna
wrote a number of treatises dealing with Islamic
theology. These included treatises on the Islamic
prophets, whom he viewed as "inspired philosophers",
and on various scientific and philosophical
interpretations of the Qur'an, such as how Quranic
cosmology corresponds to his own philosophical
system.[73]
Avicennian philosophy
Ibn Sn wrote extensively on early Islamic philosophy, especially
the subjects logic, ethics, and metaphysics. Ibn Sn's
commentaries on Aristotle often corrected the philosopher,
encouraging a lively debate in the spirit of ijtihad.
In the medieval Islamic world, due to Avicenna's successful
reconciliation between philosophjy (Aristotelianism and
Neoplatonism) along with Kalam, Avicennism eventually became
the leading school of Islamic philosophy by the 12th century, with
Avicenna becoming a central authority on philosophy.[61]
Avicennism was also influential in medieval Europe, particular his
doctrines on the nature of the soul and his existence-essence
distinction, along with the debates and censure that they raised in
scholastic Europe (example: Paris).
His psychology and theory of knowledge influenced William of
Auvergne and Albertus Magnus, while his metaphysics had an
impact on the thought of Thomas Aquinas.
Human Sciences:
Philosophy-Theology-Sociology
13
The role of prominent Muslim Thinkers in the
field of aqidah and tasawwuf to the advance
of knowledge and contribution to the process of
learning in the history of Islamic culture and
civilization.
Some names include,
al-Ghazzali,
al-Maturidi,
al-Baqillani,
al-Shahrastani,
Ibn al-Arabi,
al-Qushayri
14
Ibn Rushd
Abul Walid Mohammad Ibn Rushd
(known as Averroes)
He was a physician, philosopher
and jurist
He wrote a 7-volume medical
encyclopedia, Kitab al-Kulliyat fi al-
Tibb (Latin name Colliget, a
corruption of the word
kulliyat=generalities), used at
European universities until the
eighteenth century.
15
Ibn Rushd's philosophy: attempt to
synthesize/fuse the Islamic faith with reason
in light of the available Greek heritage.
Ibn Rushd asserted the "primacy of reason", or
a purely philosophical rationalism
For Ibn Rushd, the primacy of reason is
unquestioned but compatible with Islamic
faith.
Ibn Rushds contribution to philosophy was
significant to Europe rather than to the
Muslim world.
16
Ibn Rushds contribution to Europe was in two major
areas:
1: transfer and commentary on Aristotles
philosophy
2: Spreading rationalism
European philosophers discovered Aristotle through
Ibn Rushd's writings and commentaries on Aristotles
works. Ibn Rushd used to be called "the Great
Commentator.
Ibn Rushds commentaries on Aristotle were
translated into Latin and Hebrew, and soon became
a part of the curriculum at different European
universities and institutions of learning.
17
an Andalusian Muslimpolymath; a master of Aristotelian philosophy,Islamic
philosophy, Islamic
theology, Maliki law and jurisprudence, logic, psychology, politics, Arabic
music theory, and
the sciences of medicine,astronomy, geography, mathematics, physics and celestia
l mechanics

He has been described by some

[1]
as the founding father of secular
thought inWestern Europe and "one of the spiritual fathers of Europe,".
[2][3][4]

verroes began his career with the help of Ibn Tufail ("Aben Tofail" to the West),
the author of Hayy ibn Yaqdhan and philosophic vizier of Almohad amir Abu Yaqub
Yusuf.
Averroes's aptitude for medicine was noted by his contemporaries and can be
seen in his major enduring work Kitab al-Kulyat fi al-Tibb (Generalities) the work
was influenced by the Kitab al-Taisir fi al-Mudawat wa al-Tadbir (Particularities)
of Ibn Zuhr
Averroes was also a student of Ibn Bajjah ("Avempace" to the West), another
famous Islamic philosopher who greatly influenced his own Averroistthought
Averroes's works were spread over 20,000 pages covering a variety of
different subjects, including early Islamic philosophy, logic in Islamic
philosophy, Arabic medicine, Arabic mathematics, Arabic
astronomy, Arabic grammar, Islamic theology, Sharia (Islamic law),
and Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). In particular, his most important works
dealt with Islamic philosophy, medicine and Fiqh. He wrote at least 67
original works, which included 28 works on philosophy, 20 on medicine, 8
on law, 5 on theology, and 4 on grammar, in addition to his commentaries
on most of Aristotle's works and his commentary on Plato's The Republic.
[7]
There were three levels of commentary: the Jami, the Talkhis and
the Tafsir
is most important original philosophical work was The Incoherence of the
Incoherence (Tahafut al-tahafut), in which he defended Aristotelian
philosophyagainst al-Ghazali's claims in The Incoherence of the
Philosophers (Tahafut al-falasifa). Al-Ghazali argued that Aristotelianism,
especially as presented in the writings of Avicenna, was self-contradictory
and an affront to the teachings of Islam. Averroes' rebuttal was two-
pronged: he contended both that al-Ghazali's arguments were mistaken
and that, in any case, the system of Avicenna was a distortion of genuine
Aristotelianism so that al-Ghazali was aiming at the wrong target
Averroes is also a highly regarded legal scholar of
the Maliki school. Perhaps his best-known work
in this field is Bidyat al-Mujtahid wa Nihyat al-
Muqtaid ( -----' ,'+- -+-=-' ,--), a textbook of
Maliki doctrine in a comparative framework.
According to Averroes, there is no conflict
between religion and philosophy, rather that
they are different ways of reaching the same
truth. He believed in the creating of the universe
by an all perfect god contrary to Avicenna's
ideology which was the universe is eternal since
god doesn't have specific knowledge(this is the
view of Avicenna).
Rationalism (Aqlaniyyah)
Ibn Rushd was regarded as the herald of
rationalism long before the Renaissance
(Gilson)
Later, his works became the ruling mode of
social thought in the West. Scholars of
medieval Europe were provoked and
inspired by those writings.
A dominant and influential school of
philosophical thought emerged under his
name (Averroism)
21
From the end of the twelfth century- sixteenth
century, Averroism remained the dominant
school of thought
Results: the Renaissance in 13
th
century &
Protestant Reformation in 16
th
Ibn Rushds singular influence in stimulating
the Western Renaissance is acknowledged "as
the landmark in the history of Western civilization"
(Gilson, 1938, 30).
22
Ibn Khaldun (1332-
1395C.E)
Full name, Abd al-
Rahman bin Muhammad.
Born in Tunisia in 732
A.H (1332 C.E) in an
influential and learned
family.
Many of his ancestors
had held high posts in the
Tunis government.
23
Studies:
His father avoided politics and devoted his
time to study jurisprudence, philosophy and
poetry and excelled in all these branches of
knowledge.
Unlike his father, Ibn khaldun was engaged
in both learning and politics.
His close friend and associate, Ibn Khattab,
described him as a virtuous man, good
natured, shy, opposed to oppression, difficult to
handle, well-informed on intellectual and
traditional science, wise of judgment and knowing
a lot of things by heart.
24
Ibn Khaldun made great intellectual contributions
in many areas of learning. He is internationally
recognized as the founder and father of sociology,
father of philosophy, historian of civilization, and the
father of the economic science.
He is best known for his famous Muqaddimah
(prolegomena), a masterpiece in literature on
philosophy of history and sociology.
The main themes of Muqaddimah: identify
psychological, economic, environmental and
social facts that contribute to the advancement of
human civilization and the currents of history.
Ibn Khaldun analyzed the dynamics of group
relationships and showed how group feelings, al-
Asabiyyah, produce the ascent of a new
civilization and political power.
25
Ibn Khaldun identified an almost rhythmic
repetition of the rise and fall in human
civilization, and analyzed factors
contributing to it.
Ibn Khalduns views attracted the attention
of Muslim scholars and many Western
thinkers.
Ibn Khaldun pioneered the critical study of
history.
Ibn Khaldun provided an analytical study
of human civilization, its beginning, factors
contributing to its development and the
causes of decline.
26
Ibn Khaldun found a new science: the science of social
development or sociology (as it is called today)
Ibn Khaldun wrote: I have written on history a book
in which I discussed the causes and effects of the
development of states and civilizations, and I
followed in arranging the material of the book an
unfamiliar method, and I followed in writing it a
strange and innovative way.
Through selecting his particular method of analysis,
Ibn khaldun developed two new sciences:
Historiography and Sociology
Ibn khaldun views reason as a necessity in judging
history and social events. injustice, despotism and
tyranny are clear signs of the downfall of the state.
27
Ibn Khaldun remarked that historians
committed errors in their study of historical
events because of three major
problems/factors:
1.ignorance of the nature of civilization & of
people
2.bias and prejudice
3.blind acceptance of reports given by others.
28
Ibn Khaldun pointed out that true progress and
development comes through correct understanding
of history, and correct understanding of which can
only be achieved by observing the following three
main points:
1) A historian should not be prejudiced towards any
idea;
2) A historian needs to conform and scrutinize the
reported information
3) A historian should not limit history to the study of
political and military news or to the news of rulers
and states. History should include the study of all
social, religious and economic conditions.
29