As he tried to resolve the contradictions between religion and philosophy, and«i Eastern and Western thought, Ibn Sina was widely criticized by his fellow- Muslims. His poetry includes responses to his critics and attempts to work through religious issues:

I. Reply to His Critics

It is not an easy thing to call me a heretic.
No belief in religion is firmer than my own.

Iam unique in this world, so if I am a heretic,
There is not a Muslim to be found anywhere!

II. Commentary on the Quf'anic "Verse of Light" (24: 35)

Accustom the soul to knowledge so that it may progress,
And leave aside all else, for the soul is everything's abode.

The soul is like glass, and knowledge
A lamp, and God's wisdom is the oil.

When you are illuminated you are alive,
But when you are in darkness...