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ABSTRACTThis study examines Fazlur Rahman's understanding of Islamic philosophy by
analyzing his attitude towards the works of Muslim philosophers and his belief in the value
of the Qur?an?s precepts. It pays specific attention to the relationship between his
understanding of philosophy and his method of interpreting the Qur?an, since in Rahman's
understanding, this method is the only means to satisfy the changing needs of society. It
explores Rahman?s definition of Islamic philosophy, which is strongly characterized by
three religious terms, iman, islam, and taqwa.
The thesis furthermore looks at the reasons why Rahman borrowed certain
philosophical expressions of the Muslim philosophers in his works when, at first glance,
their doctrines contradict Rahman?s cum position. Special attention is paid to his book
Major Themes ofthe Qur'an, wherein Rahman discusses human existence and his final
destiny through his interpretation of the Qur?an. The thesis concludes that Rahman?s
Islamic philosophy is a moral one, which is practically oriented and based on his
understanding ofthe Qur'an.
AbstractCette étude examine l?approache de Fazlur Rahman de la philosophic islamique en
analysant son attitude A l'éga.rd des ocuvres des philosophcs musulmans ainsi que les
convictions de l'auteur concemant la valeur des préceptes du Qur?an. Elle explore les
relations existant entre sa philosophic et sa méthode d?interprétation du Qur?an puisque,
selon le raisonnement de Rahman, cette méthode demeure le seul moyen puovant satisfaire
les besoins changeants de la société. De plus, l?étude explore la definition donnée par
Rahman de la philosophic islarnique, qui est fortemcnt caractérisée par trois termes rcligieux,
c?est-A-dire, l?.iman, l?islam et le taqwa.
Du plus, ce mémoire examine les motivations qui ont poussé Rahman, dans ses
oeuvres, it emprunter ccrtaines expressions utilisées par les philosophcs musulmans, puisque,
A premiere vue, cela semble contredire les positions prises par Rahman. Une attention
particulicre sera accorclée 5 son livre Major Themes ofthe Qur?an dans lequel Rahman
élabore sur l'existence humaine et l?ultime destin selon son interpretation du Qur?an. Ce
mémoire parvient a la conclusion que la philosophic islamiquc de Rahman est une
philosophic morale, qui est pratiquement oricntée et basée sur sa comprehension du Qur?an."
