Page:The philosophy and theology of Averroes.djvu/65

 fanciful (as some may think) as it is correct in every respect. For the relation of the medicine to the body is the same as that of the Law to the soul. A physician is one who seeks to preserve the health when he finds it good and tries to restore it when it is missed. In the same way a religious law-giver is one who takes care of the health of souls, which is called piety. The Quran also makes clear its purpose, through religious action, by many verses. For instance: "O true believers, a fast is ordained unto you as it was ordained those before you, that ye may fear God" and "Their flesh is not accepted of God, neither their blood; but your piety is accepted by Him" and: "For prayer preserveth a man from filthy crimes and from that which is blameable." There are many other verses of the same nature in the Quran. Thus, we see, a religious law-giver seeks to establish this kind of health by religious know-