Understanding the Relevance of Philosophy for the Modern Muslim

By, Mohd Abbas Abdul Razak and Muntaha Artalim Zaim

Through this article, we would like to explore some of the important reasons for learning philosophy as a subject. Before delving into a deeper discussion, let us first consider some peripheral information related to philosophy.

More often than not, most students of philosophy are introduced to the subject by making Greece their point of departure. For people in the West, Greece is an important country because it is considered the birthplace of Western civilization, democracy, education, and liberal thought. However, philosophy as a field of study was not confined to ancient Greece alone. Concurrent with the flourishing of philosophy in Greece, people in Persia, India, and China were also engaged in philosophical thought.

In ancient Persia, the essence of philosophy was centered on religious ethics, exploring themes such as the cosmic dualism of good and evil, moral responsibility, and judgment after death. In India, philosophical inquiry focused on concepts like liberation (Moksha), the Self (Atman), Karma (the consequences of one’s actions), Samsara (the cycle of rebirth), etc. In ancient China, two prominent schools of philosophy were in existence. Confucianism, founded by Kung Fu Tzu(551 – 479 BCE), emphasized good governance, societal harmony, humaneness or benevolence, filial piety, and more. Meanwhile, Lao Tzu (571-471 BCE), the founder of Taoism, taught the principles of Wu Wei (non-action or effortless action), simplicity and humility in life, softness, flexibility, and similar values.

The word philosophy comes from the Greek word philosophía, which means “love of wisdom.” Due to the historical dominance of Western knowledge systems, our introduction to philosophy is often framed through the lens of Greek thinkers. Among the many Greek philosophers, the most prominent and widely recognized are Socrates (470-399 BCE), Plato  (427-347 BCE), and Aristotle (384-322 BCE).

During the Abbasid Caliphate, there was a strong interest in philosophy within the Muslim world. Caliphs Al-Mansur (712-775) and Al-Ma’mun (786-833)particularly encouraged the study of philosophy by establishing the Bayt al-Hikmah (House of Wisdom), which became the largest library and research center of its time. There, great works of philosophy from Greece, Persia, and India were translated into Arabic. In a way, through the intellectual endeavour at Bayt al-Hikmah, philosophers attempted to harmonize philosophical ideas of earlier civilizations with the teachings of Islam. 

The essence of Islamic philosophy during the Golden Age of Islam was primarily centered on exploring the ideas of Plato, Aristotle, and Plotinus (204-270). In the area of metaphysics, Muslim philosophers devoted significant effort to the study of the nature of God and the natural world. In ethics, the central debate revolved around how to live a virtuous life by applying both reason and divine law. In the domain of epistemology, the focus was on understanding how human beings acquire knowledge, whether through sense perception, rational thought, or divine revelation. Finally, in cosmology, Muslim philosophers sought to reconcile the Aristotelian model of the universe with concepts found in the Qur’an.

However, historical records show that not all philosophical efforts were deemed acceptable. Al-Ghazali’s (1058-1111) critical analysis of Greek philosophy and philosophers, particularly in Tahafut al-Falasifa (The Incoherence of the Philosophers), rejected ideas that conflicted with Islamic teachings. Through this intellectual endeavour, al-Ghazali aimed to purify philosophy by discarding what was incompatible with Islam and retaining its valuable aspects.

Muslim philosophers not only borrowed ideas from other civilizations; they also preserved and wrote commentaries, mainly on the works of Greek philosophers. Ultimately, they transmitted their refined and expanded interpretations of Greek philosophy to the Europeans. Many historians have acknowledged that it was the remarkable work of Muslim scholars, scientists, and philosophers that provided the impetus for the emergence of the Renaissance movement in Europe. A classic example to quote here is St. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274). This towering figure of Catholicism greatly benefited from reading Al-Ghazali’s works on moral philosophy and Ibn Rushd’s interpretations of Aristotle’s rational philosophy before developing his own ideas.

Reflections for Modern-Day Muslims

As a community deeply rooted in our Islamic tradition, we should not shy away from engaging with philosophical issues. While philosophy does have its pitfalls, this should not deter us from exploring it thoughtfully. Socrates’s words of wisdom, such as “know thyself” and “an unexamined life is not worth living,” are not in contradiction with our Islamic philosophy of life. Rather, they should be seen as an open invitation to pursue philosophy that enriches our understanding and spiritual growth.

In modern times, the philosopher Immanuel Kant offered a meaningful defense of philosophy as a discipline concerned with the pursuit of wisdom. He once said, “Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.”

In Surah Al-Baqarah of the Qur’an, Allah SWT informs the readers of His Divine message that those who are granted wisdom have indeed been given a great good in this life.

“He gives wisdom to whom He wills. Whoever is given wisdom has been given much good. Yet none remember except the possessors of intellect” (verse 269).

There are many benefits to learning philosophy. The Qur’an, as a book of revelation, not only talks about matters related to spirituality, but also about the natural world, science, and thinking. Many verses of the Qur’an call humanity to contemplate and reason upon the grandeur of creation, in the heavens and the earth, in both celestial and terrestrial beings. For this reason, Ibn Rushd’s (1126-1198)criticism of Al-Ghazali for opposing philosophy is well-founded.

In many ways, studying philosophy offers unique benefits, especially for young Muslims in the modern age. While subjects like science, calculus, mathematics, and physics develop the intellect, disciplines such as spirituality, ethics, literature, poetry, and philosophy nurture the heart.

Philosophy encourages reflection on one’s value system, the purpose of life, and our relationship with God and nature. A student trained in philosophy sharpens their reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills and gains the ability to articulate ideas clearly and convincingly.

Philosophical training also develops the capacity to conduct logical analysis, explore opposing viewpoints, and synthesize ideas into coherent conclusions. This approach fosters a mindset capable of examining issues from multiple perspectives, engaging in meaningful dialogue, and offering complex analysis.

Ultimately, a philosophically developed mind is critical, creative, and analytical—qualities urgently needed in addressing the challenges faced by the contemporary Muslim Ummah. Moreover, individuals engaged in philosophical thinking are more likely to commit themselves to the pursuit of truth, fairness, and justice.

Those who need philosophy the most are often aspiring leaders, politicians, judges, lawyers, teachers, and many others. Like religion, philosophy has the power to stir the conscience and make individuals more aware of the suffering of humanity.

Many world politicians fail in their mission because they lack a clear and consistent philosophy of their own. Without a personal philosophical foundation, one cannot form solid principles or effectively articulate ideological concepts.

IIUM’s Efforts in Promoting Philosophy

In recognition of the vital role philosophy plays in the intellectual development of students, the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) has integrated philosophical elements into many subjects across various faculties. Philosophy is particularly emphasized in courses offered by the Faculty of Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, as well as the Kulliyyah of Education.

One of the core university-required courses that directly addresses philosophy is Basic Philosophy and Islamic Worldview. As a compulsory subject, it ensures that students from all faculties are introduced to philosophical thought. The course is taught by academics from the Department of Fundamental and Inter-Disciplinary Studies.

During classroom sessions, students are guided to appreciate the importance of studying philosophy. As a university committed to the integration of knowledge, IIUM introduces students to key ideas and contributions from both Western and Islamic philosophers, fostering a balanced and comprehensive understanding of philosophical traditions.

Takeaway Message

Since philosophy has many benefits in the modern world, Muslims living in the contemporary era should treat this subject like any other professional field. Wisdom is the lost property of the Muslims, and we should be ready to seek and learn all good, ethical, and beneficial knowledge and wisdom regardless of where it comes from. We must integrate what is good and sound into our existing Islamic knowledge and confidently discard what is faulty or misaligned. This balanced approach ensures we remain true to our faith while engaging thoughtfully with the world around us.***

(The views expressed are those of Dr. Mohd Abbas Abdul Razak, Department of Fundamental and Interdisciplinary Studies & Dr. Muntaha Artalim Zaim from the Department of Fiqh and Usul Fiqh, AHAS KIRKHS, IIUM, and do not necessarily reflect the views of IIUMToday.)