Rational and more than rational sciences in the Umayyad Caliphate: dialogue, debate, and confrontation

Abstract

The time of the Umayyad caliphate of Cordoba (early fourth/tenth century to early fifth/eleventh century) represents a crucial phase in the creation of the scientific and philosophical culture of al-Andalus. At the beginning of the fourth/tenth century, the economic and political situation of the Umayyad regime was weak and the rulers were largely unable to sponsor the arts and sciences. Due to the general instability of the time, the rulers needed the support of the religious scholars, and so the disciplines that most of these scholars rejected (namely astrology, philosophy, and rational theology) were banned from the court. The ascent of ʿAbd alRah.ma¯n III (r. 300-50/912-61), who proclaimed the caliphate in 316/929, signified a new beginning for scientific and intellectual activity, which flourished until the end of the period, most particularly during the caliphate of al-H. akam II (350-66/961-76). There was intense activity in disciplines that appeared particularly controversial in the eyes of religious scholars, like astrology, magic, and alchemy. These and other disciplines made their mark in learned society and at the court. This article explores the political and intellectual considerations underlying this process and analyzes the extent of the practice of controversial disciplines in the context of the period, paying particular attention to the role played by Maslama b. Qa¯sim and Maslama al-Majrı¯t.ı¯.