Averroes, the Connection between Philosophy and Faith

Abstract

Abstract The possibility of philosophy in Islam is not obvious, since the Revelation brought in by the Quran is fully comprehensive, addressing every single issue of the earthly matter according to divine principles. However, the divine willingness to favor someone is completely free, therefore the Supreme decides to lower or heighten whoever He desires to. He apparently did so with Aristotle, giving him the excellency in philosophy. The effort made by Averroes in the famous discourse about the connection between philosophy and religious faith is to legitimate the practice of a discipline which is by no means forbidden, but highly recommended. Philosophy is encouraged and recommended for those who are entrenched in knowledge, and therefore capable of interpreting the most obscure parts of the reveled text, consolidating them as an intellectual elite.