Was Ibn Taymiyyah Against Logic?

It is rather vexing to encounter people making sweeping statements like "Ibn Taymiyyah opposed logic" without clarifying precisely what Ibn Taymiyyah opposed. In contemporary parlance, when we refer to "logic," it immediately brings to mind the concepts of rationality, sensibility, and avoiding contradictions. Even if one harbors animosity towards Ibn Taymiyyah due to sectarian reasons, could any reasonable person honestly claim that he did not emphasize the importance of being rational and consistent? Initially, any fair and judicious individual should recognize that the phrase "Ibn Taymiyyah opposed logic" demands further elucidation when speaking to the laity.

Apart from Ibn Taymiyyah's own writings, those who delve into studies[1] on his critique of logic would ascertain that his concerns were primarily directed at specific aspects of Aristotelian logic. For instance, Ibn Taymiyyah disagreed with affirming the literal existence of universals. Moreover, he questioned the rigid forms that syllogisms were required to adhere to according to Aristotelian logic. Additionally, Ibn Taymiyyah rejected the Aristotelian functional role of definitions, which aimed to reveal the essence of a thing to facilitate recognition. These are examples of the kinds of disagreement Ibn Taymiyyah had. Thus, presenting a statement such as "Ibn Taymiyyah was against logic" would not accurately convey this nuanced understanding. Instead, it could wrongly implant the perception that Ibn Taymiyyah lacked intellectual progressiveness, which is far from the truth.

It is equally important to acknowledge that other Muslim scholars, such as as-Suyuti, Ibn Salah, an-Nawawi, and others, were also known to have "opposed logic." However, this opposition is often influenced by differences in their respective definitions of logic.[2]

Regardless of the validity of each scholar's arguments, it is crucial to caution against making claims such as "so and so scholar was opposed to logic" when addressing the general public, especially those without a background in these intricate discussions. Such statements can lead to misleading perceptions about these esteemed scholars.

Allah knows best.

Recommended Reading:

The Islamic Alternative to Aristotelian Logic According to Ibn Taymiyyah

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[1] For example, one may consult the following works:

Sa’ud al-Arayfi, Naqd at-Taymiy lil-Mantiq, Source

Sobhi Rayan, Criticism of Ibn Taymiyyah on the Aristotelian Logical Proposition, Source

Sobhi Rayan, Nominal Definition in the Writings of Ibn Taymiyya, Source

Sobhi Rayan, Translation and Interpretation in Ibn Taymiyya's Logical Definition, Source

Sobhi Rayan, Ibn Taymiyya’s Criticism of the Syllogism, Source

Sultan al-Umayri, Tahreer al-Qawl fi Hukm al-Mantiq, Source

Wael Hallaq, Ibn Taymiyya Against the Greek Logicians, Source

[2] See: Sultan al-Umayri, Tahreer al-Qawl fi Hukm al-Mantiq, Source & Aaron Spevack, Apples and Oranges: The Logic of the Early and Later Arabic Logicians, Source