CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS PLURALISM IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF IKHWAN AL-SAFA AND CONTRIBUTION OF ASIAN CULTURES TO THE IDEA OF PLURALISM

BAYRAM ALİ ÇETİNKAYA

ABSTRACT

Ikhwan al-Safa (read as ikhw’anus-safâ) is a community which aims to reconstruct
Muslim Community intellectually through philosophical and scientific studies and
moral and religious enthusiasm amid religious, philosophical, and political contentions
in the decline period of Abbasid State. Rasa’il-e Ikhwan as-Safa convey the philosophical
life of 10th century as if they reflect political atmosphere of the era. Islamic reason
in this era was aware of Ancient Greek philosophy, Hindu wisdom, and Persian and
Arabic literature. Thus, Rasa’il gathered all these ideas and cultures in a melting pot.
Ikhwan al-Safa, the members of a religious-political movement, helped Rasa’il to spread
by consciously hiding their identity. Thus, Rasa’il have become works everyone from all
sections of the society could reach. At the same time, Rasa’il are the first attempt to educate
society through philosophical and scientific ways. The effects of Rasa’il are beyond their
time and place. Rasa’il, an encyclopedia of religious and positive sciences, have the legacy
on Islamic intellectual life from Iran to Spain. Ikhwan as-Safa referred to prophets, to
ancient Greek Philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle and even to Hindu
wise men. Thus, it is unfair to engage Ikhwan as-Safa with a certain sect. In fact, Ikhwan
is over sects and factions. Ikhwan as-Safa has become a school which has consisted of
Greek philosophy, Persian, Hindu, Messiah and other ideas. Ikhwan as-Safa displays
an example of very inclusive eclecticism in philosophy while it is inclined to Mu’tazile
and Shia in terms of religion. It talks about Christianity, Sabian and other religions and
ideas as if it talks about Islam. Ikhwan as-Safa as a school means rationalism from many
perspectives, moral and mental idealism, and spiritualism as a return of spirits to Allah,
logical mysticism, monism, syncretism, and pluralism. Ikhwan al-Safa has become a
successful model for latter Muslim and Asian societies with its organizational structure
which employs these theoretical backgrounds. They have passed the borders of tenth
century with their religious-ideological project in the area of religion, philosophy and
culture. They have provided the prescription of a new millennium by struggling against
religious, ethnic, sectarian and cultural discriminations.