The Influence of Ibn Rushds on Scholastic Theology: An Analytical Analysis

Author: DR. AJAJ AHEMAD Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh

Published On: 2021-08-31

The philosophy of Ibn Rushd is very significant in the Islamic world. Plato and Aristotle influenced the West by the transmission of their ideas as seen through the lens of Islamic Scholasticism of the Nineteenth to twelfth centuries. Latin Scholasticism was built upon Greek philosophy and Christian theology. Scholasticism generally refers to the reception of texts of the philosophers of antiquity (both Greeks and Romans) and their interpretation of faith, theology and understanding of the world. Ibn Rushd’s ideas influenced the transformation of thought in medieval Europe. A great Christian thinker like Thomas Aquinas was much influenced by him. Ibn Rushd attained eminence as a physician and astronomer as well. However, his philosophical accomplishments overshadowed his eminence as a man of science. The main philosophical problems taken by Ibn Rushd are: Eternity of the world, the nature of God, Knowledge of God and Immortality of the human soul and its Resurrection.

He sincerely underlined the significance of philosophy in various departments of human endeavours. He tried to restore philosophy and bought out its importance in Islamic theology as well other spheres of life. His contribution to Islamic scholastic philosophy remained superb and appreciative one. The present paper will explore Ibn Rushd’s influence on scholastic theology as well as the thought of other subsequent scholars and theologians and its applicability to the domain of metaphysics.

Key Words: Ibn Rushd, Scholasticism, Greek, Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Eternity, Islam, Ghazālī.