Introduction
Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi (854 CE – 925 CE) was a great scientist, physicist, and philosopher of Islamic history, whom some orientalists and critics have described as a person holding views against religion, the Qur’an, and the prophets. Various controversial statements and books are attributed to him. Here we examine these allegations and assess their reality in the light of historical facts.
Allegations Presented by Critics
Objection to the Need for God and Prophets
It is said regarding al-Razi that he considered the belief that prophets are superior to humans and that they were sent for guidance to be baseless.
Claiming Religion Is the Cause of Universal Destruction
In an alleged statement, it was said that wars and bloodshed occur because of religions, and that people kill those who question on the basis of religion.
Objections Regarding the Qur’an
It is also alleged that al-Razi denied the Qur’an being a miracle and said that it is based on contradictions.
Books Presented by Critics
According to the critics, al-Razi wrote the following books against religion:
- Makhariq al-Anbiya
- Hiyal al-Mutanabbiyin
- On the refutation of heavenly religions
Historical Review
The Research of al-Biruni
The list of al-Razi’s works was first compiled by the well-known Muslim scientist al-Biruni, in which “Fi al-Nubuwwat” and “Fi Hiyal al-Mutanabbiyin” are mentioned. According to al-Biruni, it was claimed regarding these books that they were against religion, but al-Biruni himself does not confirm this.
Views of Orientalists
According to Paul Kraus and Sarah Stroumsa, al-Razi’s ideas are present in the book of Abu Hatim. In their words, these ideas were either taken from a lost book “al-Ilm al-Ilahi” or Abu Hatim reported them during debates.
The Role of Abu Hatim
According to Professor Abd al-Latif al-Abd of Cairo University, Abu Hatim and his student Hamid al-Din Kirmani presented al-Razi’s ideas in a distorted manner.
Allama Shahrastani also holds that the allegations made by Abu Hatim against al-Razi are doubtful.
Research of Peter Adamson
According to Peter Adamson, Abu Hatim presented al-Razi’s ideas in a distorted form. In his words, there is no solid evidence that al-Razi was opposed to religion.
Refutation of the Critics’ Arguments
The Reality of Makhariq al-Anbiya and Hiyal al-Mutanabbiyin
Neither al-Biruni’s list mentions these books, nor has any Muslim author cited them. There is not even independent evidence for the text or existence of these books.
Qur’anic References and Religious Writings
There are works of al-Razi that show his religious inclination, such as:
- “Inna li al-‘Abd Khaliqan” (Man has a Creator)
- “Asrar al-Tanzil fi al-Tawhid”
- “Fi Wujub Da’wat al-Nubuwwat”
- “Al-Tibb al-Ruhani”
These works were written in support of religion and tawhid.
Religious and Philosophical Discussions
Several scholars criticised al-Razi’s philosophical ideas, but no one declared him a disbeliever (kafir). The Sunni scholars of Baghdad, who were at that time centres of fiqh and hadith, never accused al-Razi of hostility to religion.
Conclusion
In the light of historical facts, the allegations that al-Razi held views against religion, the Qur’an, and the prophets prove to be baseless. Evidence for the existence of the books attributed to his name is not found, and the claim that he was opposed to religion was made mostly by biased individuals, especially Abu Hatim Isma’ili. On the other hand, his works provide clear evidence of support for religion and tawhid.
