Q. & A. 711 to 1707 with solved Papers css 1971 to date

Eminent Scholars of Medieval Islam
871
the critical study of Hellenistic philosophy. Guide for the Errants, and exposition of the development of his philosophical thought and one of his earliest works, in the form of speeches addressed to the ernperor Malik Shah, dealing with the duties and responsibilities of kings and rulers.
Thus the genius of Ghazzali made possible the domination of Kalam over the philosophical schools and the circles of Mu’tazela. Unfortunately, after the death of this master, Islamic theology followed the path of dogmatism and liberalism, and this course, strengthened by the fanaticism of the traditionalists, killed the spirit of rationalism and scientific research in the Islamic world, bringing to Muslim intellectual life stagnation and complete inertia. Abu al-Walid Muhammad bin Rushd (Averroes)
I believe the soul is immortal, ” declared Abu al-Walid Muhammad bin Rushd, the famed scholar, jurist, physician, and philosopher, ^’but I cannot prove it.” This must have been a painful admission for him, for he was above all a supreme logician. Whereas other thinkers fell back on personal experiences and emotions to fill the gaps in their understanding, he relied on reason. Man’s purpose is to discover truth, Ibn Rushd insisted, and the serious study of God and his works constitute the noblest form of worship. Scripture, properly understood, is in harmony with philosophy, properly understood. Almost all mysteries could be explained in Ibn Rushd’s philosophy, and he specialized in making all things clear. His mind forged a vital link between the ancient Greek philosophies and the European Renaissance. But he could find no logic with which to prove or disprove the eternal existence of the soul.
In an age when philosophers tended to be arrogant, Ibn Rushd was humble and generous. When his friends criticized him for being charitable to his enemies, he countered easily: ”there is no virtue is being generous to a friend. But he is virtuous who gives to an enemy.’’ He did stand by his friends, however, and supported them and their reputations far more vigorously than he did his own interests. An insult to himself might pass unnoticed, but an uiifaii criticism of one of his friends elicited rage. Once, he soundly trounced a poet who had satirized a member of Ibn Rushd’s circle.
A scholar and a perfectionist- the kind of man who would destroy the love poems he had composed in his youth because the) struck him as frivolous in later years-he desired neither power nor possessions. The one strength he esteemed was learning. ”In all his

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Political and Cultural Htston/ of Isl
Eminent Scholars of Medieval Islam
873
life he never missed an evening with reading or writing except the da\ he married and the day his father died.” observed his biographer
Born in Cordova. Spain, in 1 126, he came from a long line of distinguished scholar and jurists He grew up during a golden era of Muslim culture and studied law and medicine. As an adult, he led a staid, scholarly life in Cordova until the day his friend and mentor. Abu Bakr bin Tufayl, recommended him to the caliph at Marrakesh Although he was a mature man of thirty-eight, Ibh Rushd was ner\ous in the presence of the exalted ruler. Why had he been summoned? What had Ibn Tufyl said about him? When the caliph began questioning him about philosophy, his nervousness turned to fear. Philosophy was a politically dangerous occupation. Was this a trap0 Suppose he gave an improper answor?
Ibn Rushd was well versed in matters of philosophy, and as a doctor of medicine he had taken the position that scientific scholarship was not incompatible with theology and faith. ”He who studies anatomy increases his belief in God.” he had said frequent!). But, terrified by the Caliph’s prodding, he denied all knowledge of philosophy. At last the caliph recognized his subject’s discomfort and put him at ease This was not an inquisition. Rather, the caliph wanted Ibn Rushd to undertake a project to simplify philosophy and to provide a clear and accurate explanation of true Aristotelian thought. To held induce his compliance, the caliph appointed him religious judge of Seville.
Ibn Rushd composed his greatest works with the backing of this patron, He is best known for his commentaries on Aristotle, which approach the works of the master on three levels-for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students. The works ranged from simple paraphrases to line- by-line, in-depth treatments that were far longer than the Greek originals. These monumental studies by Ibn Rushd earned him the singular title ”The Commentator.” Translated into Latin a century later, his writings gave the Western world its first truly substantive introduction to Hellenistic philosophy
In the great philosophical-theological disputes that regard in both the East and the West throughout the medieval period, the works of Ibn Rushd. along with those of Ibn Sina, were often condemned and banned from circulation. Nevertheless, these two giants of Arab scholarship provided the foundation on which later scholars were to build. In the West, their writings were the basic
inspiration for such men as Duns Scotus. Albertus Magnus, Thomas Aquinas, and Roger Bacon.
At the age of sixty-eight, Ibn Rushd became the victim of political intrigues that resulted in the burning of his philosophical works and his banishment from court. Two years later, however, the decree against him was lifted, and he was called back to Marrakesh. He died in 1198 at the age of seventy-two. He was the greatest Muslim philosopher of Spain.