Ibn Taymiyyah Quotes on Knowledge
Taqi al-Din Ahmad ibn Taymiyyah was a Sunni Muslim theologian, jurist, and reformer of Mamluk-era Syria and one of the most controversial and influential thinkers of medieval Islam. This page collects quotes attributed to Ibn Taymiyyah on the topic of knowledge, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
-
Attributed to Ibn Taymiyyah:
“What sound reason and authentic revelation establish cannot truly contradict each other.”
-
“Kitab al-Siyasa al-Shar'iya , as quoted in Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs, Oxford University Press, p. 19.”
Better a century of tyranny than one day of chaos. -
“God does not create pure evil. Rather, in everything that He creates is a wise purpose by virtue of what is good. However, there may be some evil in it for some people, and this is partial, relative evil. As for total evil or absolute evil, the Lord is exonerated of that.”
Ibn Taymiyyah, A. (2004) Majmu’ al-Fatawa . Vol 14, p. 266. -
“Ibn Taymiyyah, A. (2004) Majmu’ al-Fatawa . Vol 14, p. 266.”
God does not create pure evil. Rather, in everything that He creates is a wise purpose by virtue of what is good. However, there may be some evil in it for some people, and this is partial, relative evil. As for total evil or absolute evil, the Lord is exonerated of that. -
“If God —exalted is He—is Creator of everything, He creates good and evil on account of the wise purpose that He has in that by virtue of which His action is good and perfect.”
Ibn Taymiyyah, A. (1986) Minhaj al-Sunnah . Edited by Muhammad Rashad Salim. Riyadh: Jami’ah al-Imam Muhammad bin Saud al-Islamiyah. Vol 3, p: 142. -
“Ibn Taymiyyah, A. (1986) Minhaj al-Sunnah . Edited by Muhammad Rashad Salim. Riyadh: Jami’ah al-Imam Muhammad bin Saud al-Islamiyah. Vol 3, p: 142.”
If God —exalted is He—is Creator of everything, He creates good and evil on account of the wise purpose that He has in that by virtue of which His action is good and perfect. -
“Guidance is not attained except with knowledge and correct direction is not attained except with patience.”
Ibn Taymiyyah, Diseases of the heart and their cures -
“Ibn Taymiyyah, Diseases of the heart and their cures”
Guidance is not attained except with knowledge and correct direction is not attained except with patience. -
“Ibn Taymiyyah, Diseases of the heart and their cures”
This whole religion (of Islam) revolves around knowing the truth and acting by it, and action must be accompanied by patience.