❖ Introduction
The relationship between Shari'ah and reason (ʿaql) has long been a subject of debate within the Muslim Ummah. This intellectual struggle has often taken two extreme directions:❖ The Two Extremes
① First ExtremityTreating Shari'ah rulings as purely divine commands with no inherent rationale or wisdom. According to this view, any reasoning or hikmah behind the law is merely incidental.
② Second Extremity
Insisting that every command in the Shari'ah must conform to human logic, psychology, or scientific principles—and must be justifiable through reason alone.
❖ The Path of Moderation
Most scholars maintain that Islamic injunctions are not arbitrary tests; they contain both spiritual and worldly benefits. The real question is: how do we balance faith and intellect in understanding divine law?❖ The Modern Mind and the Role of Reason
In today's world, intellectual independence and critical thought have become widespread—often unchecked. For a Muslim, true faith requires submission to the Prophet ﷺ as Allah’s Messenger and acceptance of His commands, even without a rational explanation.However, when engaging in daʿwah (Islamic propagation), rational justifications are often sought. This has led to attempts to validate Islamic rulings through logic and science, but this strategy can be problematic if misapplied.
❖ Shari’ah and Scientific Inquiry
Some scholars have sought compatibility between Qur’anic cosmology and modern science. This is acceptable in principle, as the Qur’an is truth. Yet, complexities arise when Shari’ah rulings are measured solely against empirical logic, for example:- Ḏabḥ (Islamic slaughtering): Why is meat impermissible if the animal is not slaughtered in Allah’s name—even if the physical process is the same?
- Wudu’ (ablution): Why does using the toilet nullify wudu’, despite its supposed hygienic benefits?
These questions cannot be resolved through natural sciences alone.
❖ Misunderstanding Rational Justification
The core issue is the misinterpretation of ‘rational explanation’. In response to Western criticism, some Muslims tried to rationalize rituals through medical or scientific reasoning, limiting the scope of these divine practices to biological or physical benefits.❖ Understanding the Nature of Knowledge
Knowledge is broadly divided into:① Natural Sciences:
Based on experimentation—physics, chemistry, biology.
② Social Sciences:
Concerned with human behavior, influenced by interpretation—sociology, psychology, economics.
Shari'ah’s impact aligns more with social sciences, and must be studied in historical and civilizational context, not just through lab experiments.
❖ The Wisdom Behind Shari’ah
Islamic law is not just about individual ethics, but about constructing a unified global Ummah—bound by shared values and vision, regardless of geography.Understanding this requires recognizing that Islam has functioned as a civilization for over 1,400 years—and this long-standing practical experience helps us understand the social and psychological impacts of Shari’ah.
❖ Practical Examples
- Wudu’ (Ablution): Rather than focusing only on physical cleanliness, its spiritual symbolism of purity and renewal enhances daily discipline.
- Ṣalāh (Prayer): Fosters personal routine and communal unity, embedding religious consciousness in daily life.
- Ṣawm (Fasting): Annual reinforcement of faith and identity, rejuvenating the Ummah spiritually and collectively.
- Ḥajj: Establishes a global center of unity, reminding Muslims of their shared origin and destiny.
❖ Conclusion
The attempt to explain Islamic rulings through reason is part of the social science domain, not just natural sciences. Thankfully, Islam’s civilizational history provides a robust framework to understand the practical wisdom behind divine commands.To satisfy the modern rational mind, we must lead it toward the correct way of thinking—one that values divine guidance while appreciating the profound social, spiritual, and historical wisdom embedded in the Shari'ah.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَم، وَعِلْمُهُ أَحْكَم!
