What Did the Greeks Even Know? | Philosophy Before Islam

Whenever we hear the word “philosophy,” most of us picture some old Greek uncle sitting in a white robe, asking weird questions.

Turns out… that’s not completely wrong.

But it’s also a lot more deep and interesting than that.


🏛 The Birthplace of Western Philosophy:

Before the Qur’an was revealed, before the Islamic Golden Age — there was a small place called Greece. Around 600 years before (Jesus) Isa عليه السلام, Greek thinkers were already asking:

What is the universe made of?

What is justice?

Can we ever know the truth?

What makes a good life?

This was the beginning of Western philosophy.


👴 The OGs: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle:

Let me introduce you to the Greek Big 3:

1. Socrates – The Question Master:

He didn’t write a single book.

He just asked deep questions. So much so, that the government got annoyed and… well… gave him poison.

He taught people to think deeply, question everything, and seek wisdom, not popularity.

 “An unexamined life is not worth living.” — Socrates

2. Plato – The Idealis

Socrates’ student.

He believed that the world we see is not the real world — truth lies in ideas, not just physical things.

He wrote many dialogues and founded a school called the Academy.

 “Philosophy begins in wonder.” — Plato

3. Aristotle – The Realist:

Plato’s student.

He was more practical — taught logic, science, ethics, and even politics. His work shaped Islamic thinkers later like Ibn Rushd (Averroes).

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” — Aristotle


💬 What’s So Special About Them?:

They didn’t give us religion, but they gave us methods:

How to argue with logic

How to spot false ideas

How to search for truth through reason

Later, Muslim philosophers took these tools — and used them with the light of Revelation.


🔁 How This Connects to Us:

Even today, many universities in Pakistan and around the world still study Greek philosophy.

But as Muslims, we don’t just copy it — we build on it with faith, adab (respect), and the Qur’anic worldview.


✍ Reflective Question for Today:

What makes a life “good” in your view? Success? Peace? Serving Allah? Something else?

Let’s think together. And we’ll soon explore how Islam entered the philosophical world next, InshaAllah.

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