In this treatise Ibn Rushd (Averroes) sets out to show that the Scriptural Law (shar') of Islam does not altogether prohibit the study of philosophy by Muslims, but, on the contrary, makes it a duty for a certain class of people, those with the capacity for "demonstrative" or scientific reasoning. Apparent conflicts between the teachings of Scripture and philosophy can be reconciled by allegorical interpretations of Scripture, though such interpretations should not be taught to the common ...

First published in 1988. Two Andalusian Philosophers provides a short but comprehensive introduction to the central concerns of Islamic philosophy. The Story of Hayy ibn Yaqzan by Ibn Tufayl and The Definitive Statement by ibn Rushd represent the last, great flourish of Islamic philosophy in twelfth century Andalusia. From very different perspectives, they both deal with the central issue of Islamic philosophy - its relationship with shari'a law.