Ibn Rushd’s Philosophy of Reason and Its Relevance to Islamic Law and Western Legal Thought

Abstract

This study aims to analyze Ibn Rushd's rational thought and its influence on the intellectual development of the Western world. Ibn Rushd was one of the leading Muslim philosophers who succeeded in establishing a synthesis between the Greek philosophical tradition and Islamic teachings through a systematic rational approach. This study uses a library research method with a descriptive-analytical approach. Data was obtained from various books, scientific journal articles, and relevant academic sources, then analyzed using content analysis and comparative analysis techniques. The results of the study show that Ibn Rushd's rationality rests on the burhani (demonstrative) method that integrates empirical observation, logic, and rational argumentation in acquiring knowledge. He emphasized that reason and revelation are two sources of truth that come from God so that they cannot contradict each other. When there is a conflict between religious texts and the results of rational reasoning, Ibn Rushd offers the concept  of takwil as an interpretive solution that allows the creation of harmonization between the two. In addition, his intellectual response to Al-Ghazali's criticism through the work of Tahafut al-Tahafut strengthened the legitimacy of philosophy in the Islamic tradition. Ibn Rushd's thought was then transmitted to Europe through the translation of his works into Latin and gave birth to the tradition of Averroism which influenced the development of rationalism, freedom of thought, scholasticism, and the Renaissance movement. Thus, Ibn Rushd can be seen as an intellectual bridge that connects Islamic and Western civilization and makes an important contribution to the development of philosophy, science, and the tradition of modern thought.