Epistemology of revelation and reason: the views of Al-Farabi and Al-Ghazali
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Date
1998Author
Ahmad, Isham Pawan
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Abstract
The questions "what is revelation?", "what does revelation tell us and what
are its implications on man?" are important questions which Muslims have been
attempting to answer since early Islamic times and for which we are still seeking
answers even today. The answers to these questions would ultimately shape our
Weltanshauung.
All Muslims accept revelation. However, they differ on its meaning and
implication. For falsafa, its major proponent, al-Färabi, sees revelation as the
ultimate culmination of the highest intellectual truths transformed and put into a
symbolic language with power to motivate man to right action. Chapter 1 examines
how al-Färdbi conceives of revelation as being the culmination of the highest
intellectual truths transformed into moving expressions able to be understood by all
and to drive all to action. Thus, revelation is an extension of reason, an expression of
reason. Chapter 2 examines the role of reason in the works of al-Fübi in discovering
knowledge by itself and the role of reason vis ä vis revelation.
The rest of the thesis deals with al-Ghazäli's understanding of revelation.
Al-Ghazäli as a representative of a major school of kaläm, the Ash'arites', saw
revelation as an expression of God's will. Al-Ghazäli sought to place God's power
and will as absolutes above . everything. He rejects any notion that it was necessary
for God to act in a certain manner for it would be an impingement on God's power
and will. Chapter 3 examines al-Ghazdli's direct discussions on revelation. Chapters
4,5, and 6 attempt to obtain al-Ghazäli's understanding of revelation through
indirect means by deducing from his positions on religious issues his perception of
revelation. Chapter 7 examines the role of reason in al-Ghazäli in discovering
knowledge by itself and the role of reason vis a vis revelation.