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WISDOM (Tlwma) and Pffllosophy (FALSAFA)

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WISDOM (Tlwma) and Pffllosophy (FALSAFA) WISDOM (tLWMA) AND PfflLOSOPHY (FALSAFA) IN ISLAMIC THOUGHT (as a framework for inquiry) By: Mehmet ONAL This thcsis is submitted ror the Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Wales - Lampeter 1998 b"9tr In this study the following two hypothesisare researched: 1. "WisdotW' is the fundamental aspect of Islamic thought on which Islamic civilisation was established through Islamic law (,Sharfa), theology (Ldi-M), philosophy (falsafq) and mysticism (Surism). 2. "Due to the first hypothesis Islamic philosophy is not only a commentary on the Greek philosophy or a new form of Ncoplatonism but a native Islamic wisdom understandingon the form of theoretical study". The present thesis consists of ten chaptersdealing with the concept of practical wisdom (Pikmq) and theoretical wisdom (philosophy or falsafa). At the end there arc a gcncral conclusion,glossary and bibliography. In the introduction (Chapter One) the definition of wisdom and philosophy is establishedas a conceptualground for the above two hypothesis. In the following chapter (Chapter Two) I focused on the historical background of these two concepts by giving a brief history of ancient wisdom and Greek philosophy as sourcesof Islamic thought. In the following two chapters (Chapter Three and Four) I tried to bring out a possibledefinition of Islamic wisdom in the Qur'5n and Sunna on which Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), theology (A-alim), philosophy (falsafq) and mysticism (Sufism) consistedof. As a result of the above conceptual approaching,I tried to reach a new definition for wisdom (PiLma) as a method that helps in the establishmentof a new Islamic way of life and civilisation for our life. contemporary ._ In the further chapters, I have investigated "Wisdom in Islamic Jurisprudence", (ChapterFive) "Wisdom in Islamic Philosophy"' (Chapter Six, Seven,Eight) and "Wisdom in Islamic Mysticism" (Chapter Nine), as the main body of Islamic thought. As a result of the acceptancethat Islamic philosophy were acceptedas the theoretical ground to wisdom understandingby many Muslim philosophers, this subjects detailed in three separatechapter under the heading of "Wisdom in Islamic Philosophy". highlighted I first of all the place of wisdom in Islamic philosophical in Qur'5n writing, then the and Sunna,Hellenistic Greek philosophy iii and Ancient civilisations, (India and Persia) were researched as the sources of' Islamic Philosophy. To do so in the first place respcctively KaMm, Dahriyya and Brethren of Purity (&hwj"n al-$Wa-) were researched as the first systematic Islamic thought. In the second place, I dctailcd Mavhsh5-jphilosophy as the main body of Islamic Philosophy. In the above mentioned chapters, I argued that Islamic philosophy is not pure, philosophy which was established through commentary on Greek philosophy alone. In fact, Islamic philosophy as a kind of natural and theoretical wisdom includesýboth the divine and worldly dimension. However, I have given more attention to the Islamic jurisprudence and mysticism becausewisdom as practical knowledge has found more room in practice of Islamic mysticism (Sufism) and early application of jurisprudence(fiqh). In the last chapter I have focusedon the reasonsof decline both practical wisdom (Pikma) and theoretical wisdom (falsafa) in the Islamic world. On thesegrounds I propound that Islam can be better understood and reformed on the ground of wisdom. Therefore wisdom can be practised as a framework for both Islamic studiesand practical way of life as a dynamic method and humanistic aspect. In the end of the thesis beside a general conclusion I highl.ight. also some practical recommendationfor furtherIslamic studies. iv le ts, cl, n6w m e-n, l.,,.,. I wish to expressfirstly my sincere thanks to my supervisorDr. Mawil Izzi Dien for his encouragementduring our periodic discussionand wise guidancein all the stagesof my thesis. My sincere gratitude is also due to ProfessorPaul Badham, ProfessorD. P. Davies and Dr. Dawoud Sudqi EI-Alami. My thanksare also due to the our departmentsecretaries Marline andJayne who were always kind and helpful. I also wish to thank all staff of the Departmentof Theology and religious studies at University of Wales -Lampeter, for their direct and indirect help during my research. I am also indebtedto the former head of English DepartmentMrs. Lufmark-for her help in improving my English, My thanks and appreciationarc also to Mr. Alan Rogers,and Mrs. M. Gdula for their efforts to help me at the computercentre. I owe a very pasonal debt to my colleagues,Andrew, Ayyub, Scan,Muhsin, Ismail, Yusuf, Numan,Neelma, Hakki, Shabana,Sabah, Nishel, Fatima,Husain, Isa, Ibrahim,Zulkifl, Ahmed,Nasir, Arnjid, Abdullah,Hasan, Ibrahim and Ali for ' their hospitalityand friendship. With great pleasureI would like to expressmy thanks to Mr. Omar A. Tarhuni, and brothcrs in Cardiff: Abdurrahman,Abdulwahab, Beyt-ullah,Murat Sari, Ahmet Erdogan, Ncdim, Suleyman, Murat Kisa, Yasir, Bahar, Ahmct Yayla and many others who encouragedme one way another while I was rcscarchingon my thesis in Cardiff. I am very grattful-to the people at Lampctcr for their friendly bchaviours that mademy stayin Lampeteran enjoyingone. Thanksare also due to manyothers from whom I have received advice, assistance,and cticouragementthroughout my study. Finally, I feel that it is important to ask my wife Hatice, my son Talha my daughtersBushra and Vildan to forgive me for spendingmost of my time on the researchand preparation of this thesis at a time when they needed my help and in attention overcoming the difficulties of living in a foreign country. V .... ...... , bf-"",C. .4,, -, I.- ý,,, _0'nte-pt-si''i" 11 Abstract III ................................................................................................................ Acknowlcdgcmcnts V ............................................................................................... Table Contents VI of ................................................................................................ Translitcration XVI .................................................................................................. Preface XVII ............................................................................................................ Scope Limitation Study xvlH and of .....................................................o....... oo ........ CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Introduction ........................................................................................................... A- WISDOM I- Definition I .......................................................................................................... 2- The 5 main characteristicsof a wise person......................................................... 3- Wisdom 5 andreligion ................................. 0................... 0*........................... 4- Wisdom 8 andphilosophy .................................................................................... B- PHILOSOPHY I- Definition 10 ........................................................................................................ 2- Divisions 11 ......................................................................................................... Mctaphysics 12 a- ........................................................................................ b- Ethics 12 ................................................................................................... Epistemology 13 c- ....................................................................................... d- Acsthctics 14 ............I........... I ................................................................... Logic ....................................................................................................15 3- Philosophy andscience .................................................................................... 16 vi 17 4- Philosophyand religion ................................................................................... Conclusion 18 ........................................................................................................... CHAPTER U PRE-ISLAMIC WISDOM AND PHILOSOPHY I- PRE-ISLAMIC WISDOM LITERATURE Introduction 19 ......................................................................................................... 1- McsopotamianWisdom 20 ................................................................................... 2- Egypt 21 ............................................................................................................... in Old New Testaments 23 3- Wisdom and ............................................................... 4- Indian 28 .............................................................................................................. 5- Persian .........................................................................................................-30 6- China .......................6................................................................................ *,,**, *31 7- Greek Wisdom 32, .......................................................................................**,***, **, Conclusion ............................................................................................. 11-PRE-ISLAMIC GREEK PHILOSOPHY Introduction 34 ......................................................................................... A- COSMOLOGICAL PERIOD I- The Miletus School 35 .................................................,........ 9 ............................... Thales Miletus 35 a- of .................................................................................
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