A critical appraisal of Antony Flew’s conception of the philosophical foundations of Islam

Abstract

Antony Flew is considered one of the most influential philosophers of religion in modern times. While many scholars have discussed and debated the merits of his critiques of Christianity and Organized Religion, few if any, have discussed the merits of his critique of Islam. This paper attempts to give a critical appraisal of Flew’s conception of the philosophical foundations of Islam. The paper contrasts Flew’s understanding of Islam with those of renowned Islamic philosophers such as Ibn Sina, Al-Ghazali, and Ibn Taymīya. Flew casts a sceptical shadow on God’s existence, on the Prophethood of Muhammad, on the miraculous nature of the Quran, on the Islamic conception of omnibenevolence, and on the eternity of Hell. This paper will respond to his scepticism by utilising the philosophical arguments that are prominent within the Islamic Philosophical Tradition. It is hoped this paper can show that Islamic philosophy can provide sophisticated replies to contemporary philosophical contentions.