Ibn Rushd

Ibn Rushd (Averroes) is regarded by many as the foremost Islamic philosopher. 
Ibn Rushd, better known as Averroes (1126-1198), stands out as a towering figure in the history 

of Arab-Islamic thought, as well as that of West-European philosophy and theology. In the 
Islamic world, he played a decisive role in the defense of Greek philosophy against the onslaughts 
of the Islamic theologians, led by al-Ghazali (d. 1111), and the rehabilitation of Aristotle. 

A common theme throughout his writings is that there is no incompatibility between religion and philosophy when both are properly understood. His contributions to philosophy took many forms, ranging from his detailed commentaries on Aristotle, his defense of philosophy against the attacks of those who condemned it as contrary to Islam and his construction of a form of Aristotelianism. 

In the Western world, he was recognized, as early as the thirteenth century, as the Commentator of Aristotle, contributing thereby to the rediscovery of Aristotle’s writings, after centuries of it being lost in Western Europe. That discovery was instrumental in launching Latin Scholasticism and, in due course, the European Renaissance of the fifteenth century.

Introduction

We maintain that the business of philosophy is nothing other than to look into creation and to ponder over it in order to be guided to the Creator -- in other words, to look into the meaning of existence. For the knowledge of creation leads to the [understanding] of the Creator, through the knowledge of the created. The more perfect becomes the knowledge of creation, the more perfect becomes the knowledge of the Creator.

The Qur'an says: "Wherefore take example from them, you who have eyes" [Qur'an 49.2]. That is a clear indication of the necessity of using the reasoning faculty, or rather both reason and religion, in the interpretation of things.

Again it says: "Or do they not contemplate the kingdom of heaven and earth and the things which God has created" [Qur'an 7.184]. This is in plain exhortation to encourage the use of observation of creation. And remember that one whom God especially distinguishes in this respect, Abraham, the prophet. For He says: "And this did we show unto Abraham: the kingdom of heaven and earth" [Qur'an 6.75]. Further, He says: "Do they not consider the camels, how they are created; and the heaven, how it is raised" [Qur'an 88.17]. Or, still again: "And (who) meditate on the creation of heaven and earth, saying, O Lord you have not created this in vain" [Qur'an 3.176]. There are many other verses on this subject: too numerous to be enumerated.

Now, it being established that the Law makes the observation and consideration of creation by reason [mandatory] -- and consideration is nothing but to make clear the implied -- this can only be done through reason. Thus we must look into creation with the reason.

Problem First: the Creation of the Universe

The Law teaches that the universe was invented and created by God, and that it did not come into being by chance or by itself.

Do you think you are getting happier as you become better educated?

Ibn Rushd believed happiness varied with intellectual ability who else felt that way? 

Art Appreciation-Chapter18 from alorino

Post your quote from a Muslim here!

Algebra was invented by a Muslim mathematician in the 9th century A.D.

China and it's influence

Post an image from either China (Han, Yuan, or Ming), Korea, Japan, or Southeast Asia during the middle ages. thanks, Mr. Farmer

What is beauty?

This is an example of the Ming Dynasty's pottery.

Ming Pottery was originally manufactured at Jingdezhen (the center for porcelain production) for use in the imperial court. Pottery became one of the significant Chinese art forms because the area was rich in the raw materials needed to make them . Today we call it "china", because this porcelain pottery is so directly related to Chinese culture. 

 This is an example of celadon pottery from Korea. This, in particular, is a teapot. It shows how the Koreans combined art into everyday traditions, such as drinking tea.

Celadon is a sea green glaze used on ceramics. It is popular in China, Korea, and Japan. Celadon is used for the glaze itself and for the article being glazed. It is one of the most known and popular glazes. 

Blue and White teapot with loop handle and round dragon design used for tea ceremonies during the Longing Period of the Ming Dynasty in China. 

Ohaguro was a practice in ancient Japan where women would blacken their teeth with dye because white teeth were considered ugly. This practice persisted until the late 1800s. 

 This vase is from the Cheng-hua period (ca 1465-1487), It is also a Mei Ping form porcelain vase with all-over blue under glaze floral design, marked on base with blue under glaze double outlined circles and four charter reign mark.  I have included 2 pictures one is of the view of the full vase and the other is of the Four Charter Reign Mark. The vase is a Mei Ping form, which means that the base is a small circle and the vase steadily grows to the widest point, just below the lid/top. after it has reached its widest point, The vase quickly  shrinks back to roughly the same size of the base of the vase. This vase and some of the information comes from www.cowansauctions.com. 

This painting was made in the Ming Dynasty by an artist named Chen Hongshou(1599-1652). Paintings evolved when entering the Ming Dynasty period from the Song and Yuan Dynasty. More colours and techniques were used and perfected. 

This is a ceramic Han Dynasty stove. It has two cauldrons and tableware. These stoves were sometimes used to prepare delicacies for someone who had recently passed away. After the chef prepared the delicacies, the food would be buried with the person, and sometimes, the stove would too.