Moorish Spain's Intellectual Luminaries: AverroesAverroes: The Greatest Islamic Philosopher of al-AndalusAristotle's commentator: The polymath known as the 'Prince of Science'. When Eastern interest in Philopsophy was waning. Averroes was born. His work electrified Jews and Christians alike, influencing 'thought processes' of Medieval Europe. Averroes was one of the Greatest Minds of Moorish Spain's history.THE LIFE OF AVERROES/ IBN RUSHDBorn 1126 AD in Cordova, al-AndalusDeath 10th December 1198 in (Marrakech, Morocco) Western name: Averroes Muslim name: Abû al-Walîd Muhammad Ibn Rushd Medieval name: Avén Ruiz
Bust of Averroes at Casa Andalusi Over View The Prince of ScienceAverroës was one of the most enthusiastic Muslim students; renowned as a voracious reader. His family background was steeped in education and accomplishment, An appropriate atmosphere which encouraged Ibn Rushd to shine in erudite matters.His grandfather was Abul Waleed Muhammad 1058-1126 AD. Abul Waleed was an Islamic Imam of Cordova's Mosque, a Maliki theologian and also chief judge in Cordova. Abdul-Qasim Ahmad was Ibn Rushd's father, similarly, he occupied the same high Qadi office. His early teachers were:
Averroes studied zealously and developed a striking logic. His mind was acutely sharp. Not only did he study medicine, law and philosophy; he also was deeply interested in: mathematics, astronomy, music, zoology, rhetoric and literature. He was an exceptional and encyclopedic genius. There were over 500,000 books to study in the grand Cordova library, many of the best volumes and manuscripts had been acquired during Caliph al-Hakim 11's reign (961-976 AD). Ibn Rushd followed his father and grandfather's legal vocation, mastering in law and became a judge (Qadi). His first office was in Seville 1160 and later he was ordered to Cordova. With the exception of his marriage day, and on the day his father passed away, he read, studied and wrote everyday of his life. This 'radioactive' period of Islam's spontaneous 'thirst for knowledge' simultaneously attained a previously unknown Humanistic Beauty, combined with tolerance and reached its pinnacle during Averroës's lifetime under the power and prestige of two enlightened (philanthropist) Almohade Caliphs: Caliph Abû Ya'qûb Yusûf 1163 -1184AD Caliph Abû Ya'qûb al-Mansûr 1184 -1199AD Outstanding AccomplishmentsAverroes matured, working hard in the legal system. He was transferred to Cordova and was proclaimed Chief (Quadi) Judge true to the family tradition. In 1169AD Ibn Tufail (the philosophical Vizer and the Caliph's physician) introduced Ibn Rushd to Caliph Abû Ya'qûb. Philosophy was previously considered an 'irreligious subject' in Moorish Spain. Caliph Abû Ya'qûb was deeply interested in philosophy and asked Averroes a loaded question about "whether the heavens were created or not." Ibn Rushd, under pressure, was unable to answer when the unexpected occurred... The Caliph responded himself. From that point Ibn Rushd was able to reveal the depth of his knowledge and expose his grasp of philosophy. A fascinating conversation ensued. The Caliph was impressed by Ibn Rushd's wealth of knowledge. That night changed Averroes's already busy life and social status. He returned home with a proposal to write a clear interpretation of Aristotle's work. Ibn Rushd accepted and dedicated many years on this prestigious and unprecedented project. Ibn Tufail retired in 1182 and died in 1185. He recommended that Ibn Rushd should inherit his role of the Caliph's physician in 1182. Averroes, thus, became personal physician to both Caliph Abû Ya'qûb and to his son Caliph Abû Ya'qûb al-Mansûr. For over twenty-six years Ibn Rushd laboured over the Aristotle interpretation till 1195. Meticulous commentaries were the end result. He wrote summaries, middle and long commentaries and sometimes, in all forms. His work was translated into Latin and surviving copies exist in Arabic and Hebrew The Most Acclaimed CommentariesDe anima (of the Soul) Physica and Metaphysica De Partibus Animalium Rhetorica On Politica Nichomachean Ethics Meteorologica Poetica
Averroes Manuscript:
His extreme perception enabled him to compare and critique other classical commentators: Themistius, Alexander of Aphrodisias and the Muslim philosophers: al-Farabi, Avicenna and Avempace. Ibn Rushd's intellectual legacy, influenced Spanish Jews and Medieval Europe Christians alike for over the next four centuries. His visionary Scholasticism transformed their ideological 'thought' processes. Aristotle, to Averroes, personified the supremity of mankind's intelligence.
His Medical Writings
His Philosophical Works
His Jurisprudence writings:Bidayat al-Mujitadid wa-Nihayat al-Muqtasid was esteemed to be the best 12th century manuscript on the Maliki School of Fiqh.The Most Famous writings:Commentary on Plato's Republic (he dedicated it to Caliph Abû Ya'qûb al-Mansûr)Al Farabi's Logic Averroes always sought The Absolute TruthThere was only one truth for Ibn Rushd: religious law.The same truth the philosopher sought. The theory of the 'Double Truth': that philosophy was true and revealed Religion was false was formed by 13th century Latin Averroists. Ibn Rushd hiself would have repudiated these theories. Averroism was (a false and mistaken interpretation of his work) promoted by Siger Barber who led scholars astray from Ibn Rushd's ideologies. Averroes expressed unmistakably and clearly: that religion was for all three classes. The philosophers, the theologians and the masses. His hypothesis was based on three respective types: demonstration, dialectical and persuasive. He believed the understandable interpretation of reward and punishment (according to each religion. Islam, Jewish or Christian) was to be applied by the elite and by the masses, equally. The upper echelons of society greatly esteemed his work; the masses misunderstood him. Fundamentalists were infuriated with Ibn Rushd's debatable theories. His disentanglement of the quintessence of Ancient Greek Philosopy and aligning it to espouse with Islamic teachings, was nothing but offensive, to the fanatics. Ibn Rushd's DownfallIn 1195, the Caliph was engaged in a (jihad) war against Spain. Yaqub al-Mansur sought the fuqaha's assistence. At that point, Ibn Rushd fell dramatically from grace.Caliph Yaqub al-Mansur dismissed Ibn Rushd from his Quadi post and banished Averrores to Lucena, then known as al-Isalah (a Jewish colony near Cordoba). His medical works, arithmetic and astronomy were not touched. Ibn Rushd's vast library was burnt during 1194-95. The fanaticism eventually subsided after the battle of Alarcos was won in 1195. ResourcesBoutique Musuem, Casa Andalusi, Calle Judios 12. Cordoba. Further al-Andalus related pagesHistoric CordobaMoorish Spain Caliphal Cordoba Moslem Disunity and the Caliphate Caliphal Architecture Mezquita HistoryMadinat-az-Zahra Madinat az-Zahra purpose page Spanish Jews page Alhambra DetailsAlhambra Granada SpainHistoric Background of the Alhambra. About Granada, Elvira and the Albayzin from 586 BC to 900 AD Granada Spain Palaces History of the founder of the Majestic Alhambra. The origin of the Alhambra Motto, Nazrid dynasty and Emirate of Granada Alhambra-Granada-Spain-1 Categorizing the Nazrid Palaces: The Highlight of the Alhambra Magical Artistic Corners of the Alhambra and Political Intrigues The Generalife and the Water Technology of the Alhambra and GeneralifeGeneralifeThe Generalife Summer Palace Water Technology The Alhambra and Generalife Moorish Hydrology Technology 1492 AD: The End of Moorish Rule in Spain The Alhambra Changeover: Moorish rule -> to Christian rule |
