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SpiritualRoadmapbyGhazali, page : 53
elementary matters of mathematics are demonstrative whereas those in theology
(or metaphysics) are based on conjecture. This point is clear to those who have
studied the matter deeply for themselves‟.
If such a person is fixed in this belief which he has chosen out of respect for
authority (taqlid), he is not moved by this argument but is carried by strength of
passion, love of vanity and the desire to be thought clever to persist in his good
opinion of the philosophers with regard to all the sciences.
This is a great drawback, and because of it those who devote themselves
eagerly to the mathematical sciences ought to be restrained. Even if their
subject-matter is not relevant to religion, yet, since they belong to the foundations
of the philosophical sciences, the student is infected with the evil and corruption
of the philosophers. Few devote themselves to this study without being stripped
of religion and having the bridle of godly fear removed from their heads.
(b) The second drawback arises from the man who is loyal to Islam but
ignorant. He thinks that religion must be defended by rejecting every science
connected with the philosophers, and so rejects all their sciences and accuses
(or metaphysics) are based on conjecture. This point is clear to those who have
studied the matter deeply for themselves‟.
If such a person is fixed in this belief which he has chosen out of respect for
authority (taqlid), he is not moved by this argument but is carried by strength of
passion, love of vanity and the desire to be thought clever to persist in his good
opinion of the philosophers with regard to all the sciences.
This is a great drawback, and because of it those who devote themselves
eagerly to the mathematical sciences ought to be restrained. Even if their
subject-matter is not relevant to religion, yet, since they belong to the foundations
of the philosophical sciences, the student is infected with the evil and corruption
of the philosophers. Few devote themselves to this study without being stripped
of religion and having the bridle of godly fear removed from their heads.
(b) The second drawback arises from the man who is loyal to Islam but
ignorant. He thinks that religion must be defended by rejecting every science
connected with the philosophers, and so rejects all their sciences and accuses