The Problematic Relationship between Religion and Philosophy in Islamic Thought: A Contemporary Critical Reading

Abstract

This research examines the relationship between religion and philosophy in Islamic thought as one of the most significant intellectual issues that has influenced the development of Islamic civilization and shaped its epistemological and philosophical foundations. The study aims to explore the nature of this relationship, trace its historical development, and analyze the major intellectual trends that addressed the question of harmony or conflict between reason and revelation.

The research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach by examining philosophical and theological texts and analyzing the views of prominent Muslim thinkers, including Al-Kindi, Al-Farabi, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Ibn Rushd (Averroes), Al-Ghazali, and Ibn Taymiyyah, in addition to contemporary scholars such as Mohammed Abed Al-Jabri, Taha Abdurrahman, and Fahmi Jadaan. The study also relies on classical Islamic sources and modern academic references to examine the evolution of this issue within Islamic intellectual history.

General overview of the research: The researcher found that the relationship between religion and philosophy in Islamic thought was not one of absolute conflict. Rather, it assumed different forms, including harmony, criticism, and integration, depending on the methodological approaches adopted by scholars and philosophers. The study further demonstrates that Islam grants reason a fundamental role in understanding revelation and reflecting upon the universe, while maintaining revelation as the ultimate authority in matters of faith and metaphysical knowledge. Moreover, contemporary Islamic thought increasingly seeks to establish a balanced framework that combines the authenticity of Islamic teachings with the constructive use of modern philosophical methodologies in addressing contemporary intellectual and humanitarian challenges.