Al-Farabi (Abu Nasr) was an Islamic political philosopher and scientist. He was one of the finest Muslim philosophers during medieval Islam. Alfarabi was considered the greatest philosophical authority and was known as the “second teacher” after Aristotle in the medieval Islamic world. Much of Alfarabi’s career was dedicated to teaching, writing and his studies.
Less than half of Al-Farabi’s writings have been discovered that were listed in the medieval catalogues. It is said to be able to fully understand Alfarabi’s texts and what he is trying to convey, one needs to read the texts not once, but several times before one is able to comprehend what Alfarabi is speaking about. He wrote of physics, metaphysics, music, politics and various other topics. Alfarabi was referred to as the “second teacher” in the Islamic world, the first being Aristotle, because of his commentaries on Aristotle and his work in logic. Not only did he make commentaries on Aristotle’s work, but also on Plato and his work. Alfarabi integrated their views into the Islamic
He states that a ruler must have four key virtues: theoretical talent, deliberative ability, moral character, and practical judgement. These virtues should come naturally to a ruler and they should have a philosophical mentor who advices them to further perfection. The advisor is meant only for advising the ruler and not to try to overthrow the ruler and take his position. The principle of the advisors should not be the same of the ruler. Philosophical mentors have a love of wisdom, not a love for power and they should never aspire to be a ruler. If that is the case, then they should not be advising the ruler. The purpose of the advisors was to advise through instruction and train the ruler in the use of logic. Ultimately, the advisor assisted the ruler in securing the safety of the society as a
...y by compiling a summary of Islamic history, and, by doing so, creates a complete Islamic history that can go toe to toe with European history. As a result, his argument stands to be thorough, suggesting that Islamic history indeed plays a role in today’s international world
But if any one transgresses, and does violence to the laws, or thinks to dictate to his rulers, such an one can win no praise from me. No, whomsoever the city may appoint, that man must be obeyed, in little things and great, in just things and unjust; and I should feel sure that one who thus obeys would be a good ruler no less than a good subject, and in the storm of spears would stand his ground where he was set, loyal and dauntless at his comrade's sid...
Imagine living in a country where education does not reach over fifth grade and being able to read and write properly is rare. In the novel The Other Side of the Sky, Farah’s lack of education created many struggles for her but her transition to American education began to rebuild her optimism. Farah discovers on the treacherous journey to America that there are major differences between the American and Afghanistan education. American Education provides so many opportunities and inspires young children from the very beginning which creates a spark in hope and aspiration for future success in new generations.
Rahman, Fazlur. Islam & Modernity: Transformation of an Intellectual Tradition. Chicago: U of Chicago, 1982. Print.
There are two declarations of faith in Islam: That there is only one God and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God. In Memories of Muhammad, Omid Safi explores the ways in which Muhammad – both the historical and spiritual Muhammad – is remembered, commemorated, and contested by Muslims throughout the centuries. Safi focuses on the movements and moments in Muhammad’s life and after his death that for many Muslims best exemplify the teachings of Islam. He succeeds in opening up the dialogue to correct the negative portrayals of Muhammad and the religion of Islam, calling it a “Muhammad problem” in his introduction. Furthermore, he provides a book that is accessible and intelligible to both Muslims and non-Muslims, drawing from historical and spiritual sources, and addresses relevant issues contested between Muslims in relation to other religions, presenting Muhammad as a historical figure and one who is beloved by the Umma.
The Islamic tradition, as reflected in Naguib Mahfouz’s Zaabalawi, has over the course of history had an incredible impact on Arab culture. In Mahfouz’s time, Islamic practices combined with their political relevance proved a source of both great power and woe in Middle Eastern countries. As alluded to in Zaabalawi, Mahfouz asserts the fact that not all Muslims attain religious fulfillment through this common tradition, and other methods outside the scope of Islam may be necessary in true spiritual understanding.
Since the beginning of time, religion has played one of the most significant roles within human existence and has been believed to be the source whereby our governing laws have been derived. However, dating back to as early as the 3rd to 6th century, Greek philosophers inclusive of Diagoras of Melos, Euhemerus, alongside the schools of Hindu philosophy, Samkhya and the Greek Cyrenaic School were all amongst some of the first who did not accept the idea of God (Friedrich, 1942, 25). In the 7th century and during the Early Middle Ages, undergoing the Golden Age, the idea of knowledge was emphasised amongst the Muslim world, translating and collaborating knowledge from all over the world, giving rise to a group of people known as the Dahriyya who were the ‘holders of materialistic opinions of vari...
He notes that “it is appropriate for the rational part to rule, since it is really wise and exercises foresight on behalf of the whole soul” (Plato, 117, 441e). An effective ruler, in Plato’s view, is someone whose reason governs over his or her appetite with the aid of spirit. Plato believes that the philosopher guardian class can achieve the balance, so only they are capable of ruling. It allows them to govern with reason, and make decisions for the good of the
Thomas W. Lippman gives an introduction to the Muslim world in the book Understanding Islam. He has traveled throughout the Islamic world as Washington Post bureau chief for the Middle East, and as a correspondent in Indochina. This gave him, in his own words, "sharp insight into the complexities of that turbulent region." However, the purpose of the book is not to produce a critical or controversial interpretation of Islamic scripture. It is instead to give the American layman an broad understanding of a religion that is highly misunderstood by many Americans. In this way he dispels many myths about "Muslim militants," and the otherwise untrue perception of Islamic violence. In this way the American reader will become more knowledgeable about an otherwise unfamiliar topic. However, the most significant element of Lippman’s book is that it presents Islam in a simple way that makes the reader feels his awareness rise after each chapter. This encourages him to continue learning about the world’s youngest major religion. Understanding Islam dispels many misconceptions about the Muslim world, and presents the subject in a way that urges his reader to further his understanding of Islam through continued study.
Al Ghazali a significant person in Islam has helped shape Islam to be what it is today - a living religious tradition for the lives of its adherents. His contribution to Islam though his theories, knowledge and works have left a positive impact upon the Islamic world that continues into the present. An everlasting impact upon the faith, Muslims and the expansion of Islam to be one of the most popular religious traditions in the present world for the lives of its adherents is seen as Al Ghazali’s
Abu Al-Walid Muhammad Ibn Ahmad Ibn Rushd, known in Latin as Averroes, was one of the most influential Islamic philosophers and scientist. He lived in a time where Philosophy was not celebrated in the Islamic world, and philosophers were regarded as unbelievers. He, however, revived the Aristotelian philosophy stressing that it has no conflict with the belief in God, and that was the theme he used throughout his writings. He integrated religion and philosophy challenging the anti-philosophical view of the Muslim scholars at that point. That influenced a group of western scholars who used the same examination and identified themselves as the “Averroists.”
1-Fakhry, Majid. Al-Farabi, founder of Islamic Neoplatonism : his life, works and influence, Oxford: Oneworld,c 2002. Print.
G. Esposito, John L (2002) Islam; What Everyone Should Know. New York. Oxford University Press Inc.
Plato’s view of division of labour is divided into three types of peoples’ task in life which are workers as farmers, military type and guardians. Actually, the ruling task of Plato’s Republic is the guardian’s responsible who had achieved the greatest wisdom or knowledge of good. Due to that, Plato claims that “philosopher must become kings or those now who called kings must genuinely and adequately philosophise’’ (Nussbaum1998, p.18). However, people argue about the reasons that the philosopher should rule the city, while the philosophers prefer to gain knowledge instead of power, thus they don’t seek this authority. Therefore, the argument should alter to why the philosophers are the best ruler to govern people. Indeed, Plato states much evidence to prove his view. Firstly, these kinds of kings are interested in simple life and helping people for better communication. Secondly, as Plato points out that each type of workers has a deficiency and conflict in his erotic attachments such as a worker is a lover of money, but the philosopher is a devotee of wisdom and knowledge. Thirdly, their disapproving of being a king comes from their fear of being unjust (Nussbaum, 1998).Not only these evidence does Plato claim, but he also adds the characteristics of being a king and the education system of philosophy.
Instead of focusing solely on the government like previous philosophers, he was secular and he questioned what leaders were really like. Like Plato, he approached his question heads-on and said that great leaders ignore moral law and the Church. Instead of following naturalism, leaders go against morality and seek out power through fear. He believed in a balance in ruling with love and fear; however, he says to not rule with hatred. Hatred and resentment leads to revolutions which leaves the leader out of power. Keeping the idea of balance in government, in Machiavellian politics, to have a good government, the leader must me stingy, but effective in the things that are necessary, such as war, diplomacy, and justice. He liked the idea of a limited government, based off the rule of law rather than the rule of man. An involved government that was in everybody’s business would eventually lead to hatred. In order to keep leaders from doing the wrong things, he says to just give them good advice and to trust them to rule and defend the state as they see fit. To be a good citizen in a Machiavellian government, isn’t too hard. Factionalism weakens the state so being involved in conspiracies and mobs would be the actions of a bad