The Devils Deception by Imam Ibn AL-Jawzi

T H E D E V I L ' S
D E C E P T I O N S
Hippocrates, Plato, Aristotalis, and Jalinous contributed to sciences
of engineering, logic and nature. They arrived with their intelligence
at subtle things. However, when they began discussing religion, they
erred. This is why they disagreed in these matters, but never disagreed
in mathematics and engineering. We have mentioned their error
in religion (in previous sections of this book).
The reason for their error is that humans are unable to comprehend
the details of religion. They can only comprehend generalities
then they must refer to revelation for the details.
Some early Muslims were told that those Philosophers denied the
Creator and rejected religions and claimed that they were only metaphors
and tricks. So those Muslims believed them, so they, in turn,
rejected religion, neglected prayers, indulged in prohibitions, and
disregarded the limitations set by the religion. Jews and Christians
have more of an excuse because they are holding to religions that
were proven by miracles. Innovators in religion also have a better
excuse because they call for contemplating proofs. Those (followers
of Philosophers) on the other hand, have no backing for their
disbelief, except that they thought Philosophers to be wise. Have
they not known that Prophets were wiser also?!
In addition, what those Muslims were told about Philosophers
denying the Creator was not true. Most of them affirmed the Creator
and did not deny prophecies. They only disregarded contemplating
religion. A few of them did follow secularists whose intellects
became fully corrupt.
Some followers of Philosophers from our nation gained nothing
except confusion. They followed neither (Greek) philosophy nor
Islam. In fact, some of them pray and fast but object to the Creator
and prophecies, and deny resurrection. They all were stricken with
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