Civilization is a set of law that makes an individual in the society rise spiritually, materially and socially (Shaikh, Ghazanfer, and Abdulil 120). This is because in order for an individual to be civilized, the significant things in his life need establishment while established things require protection via laws, regulations, rules and punishment (Shaikh, Ghazanfer, and Abdulil 108).
In the Islamic civilization, the Islamic law plays the greatest part in controlling people’s behavior spiritually and intellectually because Islam is the core (Hayes 71).
Besides, this Islamic core makes people view the universe in term of its origin, implication of life, association between people and the world, the end of life and life after death (Hayes 65).
Religious leaders and prophets, philosophers and scientists through education based Islamic civilization on theology, philosophy and science (Meri 36).
According to theology, the Islamic creed found on the Quran together with the teachings of prophet Muhammad influences Islamic civilization ( Seyyed 307).
The Quran is holy, perfect and applicable every time and as a result, it guides the Muslim behaviors and helps them understand the universe and life after death (Hayes 124).
For instance, according to the Quran, people should relate with each other ethically and morally and this means that people should strive to do what is right while avoiding the wrong doings (Seyyed 289).
Additionally, Quran help men understand and judge life through reflection and reasoning (Meri 54). Finally, the teaching of Prophet Muhammad emphasized on the need of living a holy life by interpreting and reciting the Quran, understanding traditions of the prophet and living a holy life according to the Quran teaching (Hayes 37).
On the other hand, philosophers contributed to Islamic civilization through logic and reasoning (Franker 200). At first, the Greek philosophers and Aristotelian logic faced criticism from the Muslims because the Muslim philosophers believed that philosophy contradicted Islamic teachings (Hayes 46).
For instance, the Muslim scholars severely rebuked the book titled “The incoherence of the philosophers” because it was against the Islamic core (Franker 206).
Later, the Muslim scholars and philosophers realized that logic and reasoning does not contradict the Islamic core but instead it defends it and as a result, they embraced philosophy by welcoming opinions and alleviating restrictions of thoughts (Hayes 53).
Furthermore, Islamic philosophy concerns itself with matters like the relationship between God and the universe and the problem of unity and division (Franker 210).
Despite the fact that Islamic philosophy is religious in nature, it has not only analyzed the problems of existence of the universe but defends its stand in issues like time, space and life (Meri 75).For instance, it was used to understand the political, social, economic and religious problems faced by the Muslims (Franker 198).
Islam and science constitute the dynamic of the Islamic civilization because Islam is the center of religious life as it facilitates the people’s religion and morality while science shapes the Muslim habitat where they function and carry out their daily activities (Meri 21).
For instance, the Muslims considered Arabic and philology as an imperative science and study because they help the Muslims prove the dominance of the implication and linguistic structure of the language of the Quran (Shaikh, Ghazanfer,and Abdulil 48).
Additionally, physical science, geology and astronomy assist the Muslims to understand the universe by proving that the creator existed and He is the greatest of all creatures (Shaikh, Ghazanfer , and Abdulil 90).
In conclusion, it is evident that there was coexistence between theology, philosophy and science in the making of the Islamic civilization. Theology helps the Muslims to live a moral upright life; philosophy gives rational for any circumstance surrounding their lives while science helps them understand the universe (Shaikh, Ghazanfer, and Abdulil 56).
Works Cited
Franker, Edward. Arabic Theology, Arabic Philosopy: From Many to One. Albany: Peters Publisher, 2010. Print.
Hayes, RIchard. The Genious of arab Civilization: an Encyclopedia. New York: Taylor and Fransis, 2010.
Meri, Joseph. Medieval Islamic Civilization. New York: Routledge Publisher, 2009. Print.
Seyyed, Hossein. Islamic Philosophy from its Origin to the Present. London: Sunny Press, 2010. Print.
Shaikh, Andrew, James Ghazanfer and Peter Abdulil. Islamic civilization:History, Contribution and Influence: A Compendium of Literature. Michhigan: Scarecrow Press, 2011. Print.