For this reason...

For this reason, the tree of Islamic philosophy has flourished and become more fruitful daily, and has even become resistant and immune to the attacks of its enemies. It is now completely capable of defending its rightful positions and defeating its competitors. The trends that have more or less been opposed to philosophy have had two main sources.

From one quarter there are those who have considered some current philosophical views to conflict with literal interpretations of Scripture and Tradition ( sunnah ), and fearing that the propagation of philosophy would weaken religious belief among the people, have opposed such views. On the other hand, the*‘urafā* (gnostics) have emphasized the importance of the spiritual way, and have feared that philosophical tendencies would lead to the neglect of…