❖ Unveiling the Truth Behind Accusations of Irreligion Against Al-Razi ❖
✍ Written by Dr. Uhaid Hassan
Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi (854–925 CE) stands as one of the most eminent scientists, physicians, and philosophers in Islamic history.
Yet, some Orientalists and critics have accused him of holding irreligious views and being antagonistic toward religion, the Qur'an, and Prophets.
Several controversial statements and writings have been attributed to him.
This article aims to examine these allegations and assess their authenticity in light of historical evidence.
① Questioning the Need for God and Prophets:
It is alleged that Al-Razi denied the superiority of Prophets and rejected the notion of their divine guidance for humanity.
② Blaming Religion for Destruction:
One disputed statement attributed to him claims that religions cause wars and bloodshed, and that people kill those who question religious beliefs.
③ Objections Against the Qur’an:
Another accusation is that Al-Razi denied the miraculous nature of the Qur'an and criticized it for alleged contradictions.
Critics claim Al-Razi authored the following anti-religious works:
The renowned Muslim scientist Al-Biruni compiled the earliest catalog of Al-Razi’s works.
While he mentions titles like Fi al-Nubuwwat and Fi Hiyal al-Mutanabbiyin, he clarifies that their contents were rumored to be critical of religion but does not confirm this himself.
(Deuraseh, Nurdeng, 2008 – Journal of Aqidah and Islamic Thought, pp. 51–100)
According to Dr. Abd al-Latif al-Abd of Cairo University, Abu Hatim and his student Hamid al-Din al-Kirmani misrepresented Al-Razi’s thoughts.
(Abd al-Latif Muhammad al-Abd, Tahqiq Akhlaq al-Tabib, Dar al-Turath, Cairo, 1977, p. 5)
Likewise, Imam al-Shahrastani also questioned the credibility of Abu Hatim’s accusations.
(Seyyed Hossein Nasr & Mehdi Amin Razavi, An Anthology of Philosophy in Persia, Vol. 1, Oxford University Press, 1999, p. 353)
According to Peter Adamson, Abu Hatim distorted Al-Razi’s views, and no solid evidence exists to prove Al-Razi was anti-religious.
(John Marenbon, The Oxford Handbook of Medieval Philosophy, 2012, pp. 69–70)
These books are not mentioned in Al-Biruni’s catalog nor cited by any authentic Muslim scholar.
No manuscript, content, or independent evidence exists to validate the existence of these works.
Al-Razi authored several texts affirming religious belief, including:
These writings clearly express support for religion and monotheism.
(Source: Siyar A‘lam al-Nubala’ by al-Dhahabi, pp. 354–355, Mu’assasat al-Risalah, 2001)
Though some of Al-Razi’s philosophical views faced scholarly critique, no fatwa of disbelief was ever issued against him.
Notably, the Sunni scholars of Baghdad—then a major center for jurisprudence and Hadith—never accused him of irreligion.
The accusations against Al-Razi of harboring irreligious views and denying Prophets and the Qur'an prove to be baseless upon historical scrutiny.
The books attributed to him cannot be verified, and the claims about his opposition to religion mostly stem from biased sources—especially Abu Hatim al-Isma‘ili.
On the contrary, Al-Razi’s own writings offer clear and substantial evidence of his affirmation of religion and Tawheed.
His intellectual legacy deserves to be viewed in light of authentic sources, not distorted polemics.
✍ Written by Dr. Uhaid Hassan
◈ Introduction
Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi (854–925 CE) stands as one of the most eminent scientists, physicians, and philosophers in Islamic history.
Yet, some Orientalists and critics have accused him of holding irreligious views and being antagonistic toward religion, the Qur'an, and Prophets.
Several controversial statements and writings have been attributed to him.
This article aims to examine these allegations and assess their authenticity in light of historical evidence.
◈ Allegations Presented by Critics
① Questioning the Need for God and Prophets:
It is alleged that Al-Razi denied the superiority of Prophets and rejected the notion of their divine guidance for humanity.
② Blaming Religion for Destruction:
One disputed statement attributed to him claims that religions cause wars and bloodshed, and that people kill those who question religious beliefs.
③ Objections Against the Qur’an:
Another accusation is that Al-Razi denied the miraculous nature of the Qur'an and criticized it for alleged contradictions.
◈ Books Allegedly Authored by Al-Razi
Critics claim Al-Razi authored the following anti-religious works:
- Makhariq al-Anbiya’
- Hiyal al-Mutanabbiyin
- Refutations of Divine Religions
◈ Historical Review of These Claims
✔ Al-Biruni’s Research
The renowned Muslim scientist Al-Biruni compiled the earliest catalog of Al-Razi’s works.
While he mentions titles like Fi al-Nubuwwat and Fi Hiyal al-Mutanabbiyin, he clarifies that their contents were rumored to be critical of religion but does not confirm this himself.
(Deuraseh, Nurdeng, 2008 – Journal of Aqidah and Islamic Thought, pp. 51–100)
✔ Views of Western Scholars
- Paul Kraus and Sarah Stroumsa claim that Al-Razi’s so-called irreligious views are found in the book of Abu Hatim al-Razi, who may have quoted from a now-lost work Al-‘Ilm al-Ilahi or from personal dialogues.
(Sarah Stroumsa, Freethinkers of Medieval Islam, Brill, 1999)
✔ Role of Abu Hatim al-Razi
According to Dr. Abd al-Latif al-Abd of Cairo University, Abu Hatim and his student Hamid al-Din al-Kirmani misrepresented Al-Razi’s thoughts.
(Abd al-Latif Muhammad al-Abd, Tahqiq Akhlaq al-Tabib, Dar al-Turath, Cairo, 1977, p. 5)
Likewise, Imam al-Shahrastani also questioned the credibility of Abu Hatim’s accusations.
(Seyyed Hossein Nasr & Mehdi Amin Razavi, An Anthology of Philosophy in Persia, Vol. 1, Oxford University Press, 1999, p. 353)
✔ Research by Peter Adamson
According to Peter Adamson, Abu Hatim distorted Al-Razi’s views, and no solid evidence exists to prove Al-Razi was anti-religious.
(John Marenbon, The Oxford Handbook of Medieval Philosophy, 2012, pp. 69–70)
◈ Rebuttal of the Critics’ Claims
✿ The Truth Behind Makhariq al-Anbiya’ and Hiyal al-Mutanabbiyin
These books are not mentioned in Al-Biruni’s catalog nor cited by any authentic Muslim scholar.
No manuscript, content, or independent evidence exists to validate the existence of these works.
✿ Religious References and Affirmative Works by Al-Razi
Al-Razi authored several texts affirming religious belief, including:
- "إن للعبد خالقا" (Indeed, man has a Creator)
- Asrar al-Tanzil fi al-Tawhid
- Fi Wujub Da‘wat al-Nubuwwat
- Al-Tibb al-Ruhani (Spiritual Medicine)
These writings clearly express support for religion and monotheism.
(Source: Siyar A‘lam al-Nubala’ by al-Dhahabi, pp. 354–355, Mu’assasat al-Risalah, 2001)
✿ Theological and Philosophical Disputes
Though some of Al-Razi’s philosophical views faced scholarly critique, no fatwa of disbelief was ever issued against him.
Notably, the Sunni scholars of Baghdad—then a major center for jurisprudence and Hadith—never accused him of irreligion.
◈ Conclusion
The accusations against Al-Razi of harboring irreligious views and denying Prophets and the Qur'an prove to be baseless upon historical scrutiny.
The books attributed to him cannot be verified, and the claims about his opposition to religion mostly stem from biased sources—especially Abu Hatim al-Isma‘ili.
On the contrary, Al-Razi’s own writings offer clear and substantial evidence of his affirmation of religion and Tawheed.
His intellectual legacy deserves to be viewed in light of authentic sources, not distorted polemics.
