Abstract

Now‐a‐days various discussions are taking place with regard to humanistic thought in the Islamic world of the Middle Ages. These discussions are usually related to historical academic debates on the position of Islam and Muslims within the Western context. Attention has especially been directed towards issues like human rights, justice, democracy, gender relationships, freedom of expression, and religious freedom. This chapter investigates the circumstances under which humanistic views flourished in Islam. It clarifies how these ideas developed by analysing the opinions of Muslim theologians (especially those of the Mu'tazilite school) and philosophers from the Middle Ages, on the relationship between Islam and humanism. The chapter subsequently discusses the consequences of this development, particularly for the dialogue between Islam and humanism in the West. It addresses the ethical and methodological issues that emerge for discussion when humanism and Islam meet.