Free Will and Predestination in Islamic Thought: Theoretical Compromises in the Works of Avicenna, al-Ghazali and Ibn 'Arabi

by Maria De Cillis

Overview

The subject of "human free-will" versus "divine predestination" is one of the most contentious topics in classical Islamic thought. By focusing on a theme of central importance to any philosophy of religion, and to Islam in particular, this book offers a critical study of the intellectual contributions offered to this discourse by three key medieval Islamic thinkers: Avicenna, al-Ghāzālī and Ibn ʿArabī.

Through investigation of primary sources, Free Will and Predestination in Islamic Thought establishes the historical, political and intellectual circumstances which prompted Avicenna, al-Ghāzālī and Ibn ʿArabī’s attempts at harmonization. By analysing the theoretical and linguistic ‘techniques’ which were employed to convey these endeavours, this book demonstrates that the three individuals were committed to compromise between philosophical, theological and mystical outlooks.

Arguing that the three scholars’ treatments of the so-called qaḍā wa’l-qadar (decree and destiny) and ikhtiyār (free-will) issues were innovative, influential and fundamentally more complex than hitherto recognized, this book contributes to a fuller understanding of Islamic intellectual history and culture and will be useful to researchers interested in Islamic Studies, Religion and Islamic Mysticism.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781317937036
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/17/2013
Series:	Culture and Civilization in the Middle East
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Maria De Cillis is a Research Associate and the Shi‘i Studies Co-ordinator at the Institute of Ismaili Studies, Department of Academic Research and Publications, London. Her research interests focus on the Islamic tradition in the formative period, including Islamic theology, the study of the Qur’an, Islamic philosophy, Islamic spirituality and mysticism.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1 Avicenna: a Biography 2 Divine and Celestial Knowledge in Relation to Determinism 3 Al-Ghazali: A Biography 4 Al-Maqsad Al-Asna Fisharh Ma'Ani Asma' Allah Al-Husna 5 Ibn Arabi: A Biography 6 The A'yan Thabita and the Realm of Responsibility in the Divine Qada Conclusive Remarks

Editorial Reviews

"I think that some of the important ideas that the author presents ...might provide a useful basis for further investigation of the relation between Ibn ‘Arabī’s theosophy and the philosophical thought of Ibn Sīnā." - Salman Bashier, The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute

From the Publisher