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AlGhazalisIhya-Book_of_knowledge, page : 36
They are divided into sciences, which are a collective duty and into sciences,
which are meritorious though not obligatory. Sciences whose knowledge is
deemed collective duty comprise every science, which is indispensable for the
welfare of the world such as: medicine, which is necessary for the life of the
body, arithmetic for daily transactions and the division of legacies and in
inheritances, as well as others besides. These are the sciences, which, through
of their absence, a community would be reduced to narrow straits. But should
one who can practice them rise in that community, it would suffice, and the
obligation to acquire their knowledge would cease to be binding upon the rest of
the community.
No one should be astonished when we say that medicine as well as arithmetic
are of the sciences, which are a collective duty, because the fundamental
industries are also the same, such as agriculture, weaving, politics, even
tailoring. Has He Who sent down the sickness not also sent down the remedy,
given guidance for its use, and prepared the means for administering it? It is not,
therefore, permissible to expose oneself to destruction by neglecting the remedy.
which are meritorious though not obligatory. Sciences whose knowledge is
deemed collective duty comprise every science, which is indispensable for the
welfare of the world such as: medicine, which is necessary for the life of the
body, arithmetic for daily transactions and the division of legacies and in
inheritances, as well as others besides. These are the sciences, which, through
of their absence, a community would be reduced to narrow straits. But should
one who can practice them rise in that community, it would suffice, and the
obligation to acquire their knowledge would cease to be binding upon the rest of
the community.
No one should be astonished when we say that medicine as well as arithmetic
are of the sciences, which are a collective duty, because the fundamental
industries are also the same, such as agriculture, weaving, politics, even
tailoring. Has He Who sent down the sickness not also sent down the remedy,
given guidance for its use, and prepared the means for administering it? It is not,
therefore, permissible to expose oneself to destruction by neglecting the remedy.