We appeal to all new and born Muslims alike …
please apply reason and do not allow others to prevent you from your own free thinking. It is too easy to take on the ideas of people we know or are familiar with but real faith and steadfastness comes from determinism to strive beyond these ‘safe’ zones and penetrate these barriers into the arms of a warmly welcoming true Islam. All praise is for Allah(swt) the All-Knowing who has asked us to reach him through hard work, struggle and reflection, birthright or heritage play no part in real faith and understanding, it is down to us to wade through our life’s journey applying reason as we go to ensure we become of the people of understanding, Allah(swt) gave us reason for a reason.
For a comprehensive study of this very important topic, please refer to this link from which some excerpts were used in this page. Click Here.
The power of reason/intellect has a great status in Islam and has also been referred to as a ‘personal messenger’, in addition to the Prophet’s(a.s) of Allah(swt) this ‘Aql’ or reason/intellect is of course the way to decipher right from wrong. Imam Rida(a.s) has said: “The friend of a person is his/her Intelligence and the enemy of a person is his/her ignorance.” (Al-Kafi, Ch. 1, h 4)
Human life, let alone faith and any progress is reliant on the power of reason, this is the power we use every day constantly. It is farcical when many people of faith choose to simply ‘believe’ without applying any reason whatsoever, it is said that ‘ Blind faith is no faith‘. If reason has been sincerely applied and faith accepted through an informed intellectual process then certainly that claim to faith must be respected. The power of reason is essential in enhancing one’s faith and must be the ‘commander’ over the other major human faculties namely Anger, Passion/Desire and Imagination; to process information properly for the enlightenment of our souls leading to the straight path the intellect is absolutely necessary.
Another narration from the Hadith collection of Al-kafi. Ch. 1, hadith 2:Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad, from ‘Amr ibn ‘Uthman, from Mufaddal ibn Salih from Sa‘d ibn Tarif from Asbagh ibn Nabatah, from Imam Ali (a.s) who has said the following. “Once Jibril came to Adam(a.s) and said, ‘I am ordered to offer you three choices. You may chose one and leave the other two. Adam(a.s) then asked, “What are those three things?” Jibril replied, ‘They are Intelligence, Modesty and Faith.’ Adam(a.s) then said, “I chose Intelligence.” Jibril then asked Modesty and Faith to return and leave Intelligence with Adam(a.s). They said to Gibril, ‘O Gibril, we are commanded to be with Intelligence wherever it may exist. Gibril then said, “It then is up to you.” He then ascended to heavens. This Hadith presents some very important lessons, faith or modesty can be adopted but if it is not based on an intellectual grounding it can lead to an unfounded belief system, some may end up worshipping an idol which another person has fashioned with their own hands, whereas when intellect is the leading power then faith, modesty etc. will naturally follow.
(13.3) And He it is Who spread the earth and made in it firm mountains and rivers, and of all fruits He has made in it two kinds; He makes the night cover the day; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect.
Another narration from the Hadith collection of Al-kafi. Ch. 1, hadith 2:Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad, from ‘Amr ibn ‘Uthman, from Mufaddal ibn Salih from Sa‘d ibn Tarif from Asbagh ibn Nabatah, from Imam Ali (a.s) who has said the following. “Once Jibril came to Adam(a.s) and said, ‘I am ordered to offer you three choices. You may chose one and leave the other two. Adam(a.s) then asked, “What are those three things?” Jibril replied, ‘They are Intelligence, Modesty and Faith.’ Adam(a.s) then said, “I chose Intelligence.” Jibril then asked Modesty and Faith to return and leave Intelligence with Adam(a.s). They said to Gibril, ‘O Gibril, we are commanded to be with Intelligence wherever it may exist. Gibril then said, “It then is up to you.” He then ascended to heavens. This Hadith presents some very important lessons, faith or modesty can be adopted but if it is not based on an intellectual grounding it can lead to an unfounded belief system, some may end up worshipping an idol which another person has fashioned with their own hands, whereas when intellect is the leading power then faith, modesty etc. will naturally follow.
(6.74) And when Ibrahim said to his sire, Azar: Do you take idols for gods? Surely I see you and your people in manifest error. (6.75) And thus did We show Ibrahim the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and that he might be of those who are sure. (6.76) So when the night over-shadowed him, he saw a star; said he: Is this my Lord? So when it set, he said: I do not love the setting ones. (6.77) Then when he saw the moon rising, he said: Is this my Lord? So when it set, he said: If my Lord had not guided me I should certainly be of the erring people. (6.78) Then when he saw the sun rising, he said: Is this my Lord? Is this the greatest? So when it set, he said: O my people! surely I am clear of what you set up (with Allah). (6.79) Surely I have turned myself, being upright, wholly to Him Who originated the heavens and the earth, and I am not of the polytheists. (6.80) And his people disputed with him. He said: Do you dispute with me respecting Allah? And He has guided me indeed; and I do not fear in any way those that you set up with Him, unless my Lord pleases; my Lord comprehends all things in His knowledge; will you not then mind? (6.81) And how should I fear what you have set up (with Him), while you do not fear that you have set up with Allah that for which He has not sent down to you any authority; which then of the two parties is surer of security, if you know? (6.82) Those who believe and do not mix up their faith with iniquity, those are they who shall have the security and they are those who go aright. (6.83) And this was Our argument which we gave to Ibrahim against his people;
The stubborn person however, whose pre-disposition is to surrender to their emotions will no doubt find an excuse and continue with their previous primitive belief even though the evidence may be crystal clear to the contrary.
In Islam great emphasis has always been placed on reason and the rational sciences. This emphasis derives from the Qur’an and the traditions of the Prophet and the Imams of his household. The Qur’an says in several verses: Surely there are signs in this for those who ponder. (13:4; 16:12; 30:24)The Qur’an also condemns more than once those who do not think or use their reason. The following two traditions, selected from the large number of hadiths available on the subject, show the place of reason.
Imam Sadiq (A.S.) says:Whoever has intellect has faith and whoever has faith will enter Paradise.With reason one comes to understand the truth, to believe in Islam and follow the teachings of the Prophet, and consequently will be able to enter Paradise. In an insightful hadith addressing one of his companions Hisham b. Hakam:
Imam Musa Kazim(a.s) said: With reason God completes His proof. God has equipped His prophets with the ability of expressing their ideas in a way that all people can understand. God has shown people His lordship through reason. Then the Imam recited the following verse of the Glorious Qur’an, “Your God is the One God, there is no god but God who is the Compassionate the Merciful…Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alternation of days and night, and in the ships that move in the sea, and in the rain that descends from the sky to bring life on the earth, and all kinds of animals that God has spread over the earth, and also in the movement of the wind and the clouds which God has kept between the earth and the sky– in all these there are signs for those who are thoughtful.” (2:163 & 164)
The Messenger of Allah (S) said:”Almighty God has endowed upon mankind nothing better than reason (wisdom). Sleep of a wise man is better than the waking hours of an ignorant. Rest of a wise man is better than the movement of the ignorant. God has not sent any prophet or messenger without first perfecting his reason;
A wonderful lesson for promoting thought regarding our intelligently created universe is the famous Hadith from Imam Jafar Sadiq(a.s) known as ‘Hadith e Mufaddal’, please do take the time to ponder over the many lessons available in this amazing Hadith. Click here for Hadith Mufaddal.
There are so many Quranic verses that could be presented to remind ourselves of the importance of the power of reason:[13.4] And in the earth there are tracts side by side and gardens of grapes and corn and palm trees having one root and (others) having distinct roots– they are watered with one water, and We make some of them excel others in fruit; most surely there are signs in this for a people who understand. [30.24] And one of His signs is that He shows you the lightning for fear and for hope, and sends down water from the clouds then gives life therewith to the earth after its death; most surely there are signs in this for a people who understand.