Al-Farabi: a Mediator between Religion and Philosophy

Abu Nasr Muhammad Al-Farabi, known as the “Second Teacher”, was the founder of Islamic philosophy, and one of the biggest names in the history of Iran. He was born in Farab, Transoxiana. He worked to introduce the Greek formal logic to the Islamic world. In order to pursue his education, he travelled to Baghdad to attend Abu Bishr Matta ibn Yunus’s lectures. He then travelled to Harran to learn logic from the prominent Christian philosopher, Yuhanna ibn Haylan but returned to Baghdad to complete his studies in philosophy. At that point, he began scrutinizing the philosophical ideas attributed to Aristotle. During his time in the Levant, Egypt, Harran, and Merv, besides teaching, al-Farabi started putting his thoughts down on paper. He nurtured a good number of students including Yahya ibn Adi. Al-Farabi was a learned person, as far as music is considered, and wrote a book on it. His works mostly discuss philosophy, logic, and sociology. He was known to be a specialist in writing encyclopedias. Al-Farabi is also identified as the first philosopher in the Islamic world, which is why he is nicknamed the “Teacher of all Philosophers”. Being a peripatetic philosopher, he had a massive interest in Neoplatonism and worked to synchronize Plato and Aristotle’s thoughts with monotheistic theology, which is why he is called the “Second Teacher”, with Aristotle being the first.

Works and Ideas

Al-Farabi’s notable works are “Al-Jam’ bayna Rayi al-Hakimayn”, “Iqraz ma Ba’d al-Tabia”, “Ihsa’ al-Ulum, “Ara’ Ahl al-Madina al-Fadila”,” Uyun al-Masail”, “Tahsil al-Sa’da”, “Risalah fi’l-Aql, “Al-Siasa al-Madania”, and “Kitab al-Musiqi al-Kabir”. Through his efforts and works, Al-Farabi was trying to explain a philosophy and ethical-oriented global religion and design a utopia in which theoretical virtues lead to moral virtues, which, in turn, paves the path for practical righteousness. By bringing religion and science together, Al-Farabi tended to unleash the Islamic political philosophy and introduce mankind to prosperous social life. Perhaps, that is the reason Mohsen Mahdi recognizes Al-Farabi’s ideas as the key to universal prosperity in the contemporary world, particularly among Muslim nations. In Farabi’s view, peaceful coexistence requires a scientific approach towards religion, but within the framework of political philosophy. Of course, Al-Farabi had realized that his ideal society can rarely be formed because it needs a combination of necessary historical factors.

Asceticism and Contemplation

Al-Farabi moved to Damascus in 941 to join the ruler of Aleppo, Sayf al-Dawla, and became one of the renowned scientists of his court. He died in Damascus at the age of 80. Islamic historians firmly believe that Al-Farabi was more of a hermit, enjoyed being on his own, and was a man of profound contemplation. He abstained from materialistic desires to such an extent that he refused the salary that Sayf al-Dawla offered him, and chose to take only 4 dirhams per day, amounting to enough money to take care of his basic needs. Mirza Mahdi Elahi Qomshehei, Nasrollah Hekmat, Reza Davari Ardakani, Gholamreza Jamshid-nezhad Avval, and MAhdi Barkeshli are among the scholars who studied al-Farabi’s works and character intensively.

21st November used to be called the “Day of Philosophy and Wisdom” in the Iranian national calendar. To commemorate al-Farabi’s legacy, Iranians have changed that name to “Al-Farabi Day”.

Popularly known as the “Second Teacher”, Al-Farabi was the founder of Islamic philosophy, and one of the biggest names in the history of Iran.