Harmonizing the Conflict of Reason and Revelation in the Islamic Thought through the Treatises Al-Aḍḥawiyya and Al-Tadmuriyya

Abstract

This study presents an approach to harmonize the conflict of reason and revelation in the Islamic thought through the attempt to compromise two conflicting theological treatises; al-Aḍḥawiyya of Avicenna and al-Tadmuriyya of Ibn Taymiyya. The study argues that applying Ibn Taymiyya’s concept of Ta’wīl (Interpretation) – which is the reality of speech – on the whole context of revealing Islam will lead to Avicenna’s philosophy of religions that is revealed in accordance with the intellectual context of ordinary people for the sake of guidance. This is justified through two reasons; First, it is recommended through the human reason. Second, there are rational objections against the apparent meanings of scriptures namely what is related to the Qur’anic cosmography.