Free Will And Predestination In Islamic Thought Theoretical Compromises In The Works Of Avicenna, Alghazali And Ibn 'Arabi Culture And Civilization In The Middle East

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-GhÄzÄlÄ and Ibn ÊArabÄ.

Through investigation of primary sources, Free Will and Predestination in Islamic Thought establishes the historical, political and intellectual circumstances which prompted Avicenna, al-GhÄzÄlÄ and Ibn ÊArabÄâs attempts at harmonization. By analysing the theoretical and linguistic âtechniquesâ 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 scholarsâ treatments of the so-called qaáÄ waâl-qadar (decree and destiny) and ikhtiyÄr (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.