✦ Reason, Philosophy, and Revelation in Defining Islamic Beliefs and Realities ✦
✍ A Critical Exploration of Islamic Theology in Light of Revelation and Philosophy
One of the most distinctive features of Islam is that its beliefs and religious truths are not derived from conjecture, experience, or human intellect, but are rooted entirely in divine revelation and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
These beliefs include:
✔ The Essence, Attributes, and Actions of Allah,
✔ The beginning and end of the world,
✔ The Afterlife,
✔ The consequences of actions, and
✔ Other metaphysical realities.
All of these matters can only be known through revelation, as human intellect is incapable of grasping their fundamental truths.
The Qur’an clearly affirms this in the verse:
"قَالَ أَتُحَاجُّونِّي فِي اللَّهِ وَقَدْ هَدَانِ"
"He said: Do you argue with me concerning Allah, while He has guided me?"
(Al-Baqarah: 80)
Despite this clear principle, philosophy has historically engaged in extensive debates regarding the Essence and Attributes of Allah.
Even though philosophers themselves admit their inability to reach certainty on these matters, they still fabricated countless theories.
Their discourse often proceeds as though Allah were a visible being, subject to human observation and logical analysis.
Philosophical and Theological Domination
During the period of intellectual decline among Muslims, a significant trend emerged: philosophical principles became the basis for Islamic beliefs.
Theologians and rationalists began prioritizing intellect over the Qur'an and Sunnah, leading to allegorical interpretations of verses and hadiths to align them with philosophical norms.
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah vehemently opposed this trend.
He asserted that the foundation of beliefs and religious realities lies in revelation and Prophethood, not in speculative philosophy.
According to him:
✔ Intellect can support revelation,
✔ But it cannot be the source of divine truths.
Guidance Through Intellect
Ibn Taymiyyah viewed intellect as a tool that helps recognize the truth of the Messenger ﷺ, after which revelation becomes the ultimate guide.
He likened intellect to a person guiding another to a scholar, where the scholar’s ruling holds final authority—similarly, intellect leads to revelation but does not overrule it.
Philosophers and theologians exalted human reason to such an extent that they began judging every divine ruling and creed through the lens of rationality.
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah strongly condemned this view, stating:
✔ Faith in the Messenger ﷺ must be unconditional,
✔ If one’s belief is dependent on their intellect, it negates true faith.
No Contradiction Between Sound Intellect and Authentic Revelation
In his renowned work "Bayān Muwāfaqat Ṣarīḥ al-Maʿqūl li Ṣaḥīḥ al-Manqūl", Ibn Taymiyyah demonstrated rationally that there is never a contradiction between pure reason and authentic transmission.
If a conflict appears:
✔ Either the intellect is flawed, or
✔ The transmission is not authentic.
According to Ibn Taymiyyah, many philosophical arguments are mere wordplay, detached from reality.
In contrast, the Qur’anic proofs are:
✔ Stronger,
✔ Natural,
✔ Comprehensive,
✔ And free from unnecessary complexity.
Balance in Affirmation and Negation
The Qur’an uses a balanced approach in describing Allah:
➤ It affirms His attributes in detail,
➤ While keeping negation concise.
For example:
"لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ"
"There is nothing like unto Him."
(As-Shura: 11)
In contrast, philosophy often focuses excessively on negation, leading to a vague and obscure understanding of Allah’s nature.
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah dedicated his life to purifying Islamic beliefs from the influence of philosophy and speculative theology.
✔ He emphasized that revelation and Prophethood are the sole sources of divine truths,
✔ While intellect may assist, the final authority rests with revelation.
✿ His legacy serves as a beacon for those seeking clarity and authenticity in Islamic belief.
✍ A Critical Exploration of Islamic Theology in Light of Revelation and Philosophy
❖ The Foundation of Islam: Revelation and Prophethood
One of the most distinctive features of Islam is that its beliefs and religious truths are not derived from conjecture, experience, or human intellect, but are rooted entirely in divine revelation and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
These beliefs include:
✔ The Essence, Attributes, and Actions of Allah,
✔ The beginning and end of the world,
✔ The Afterlife,
✔ The consequences of actions, and
✔ Other metaphysical realities.
All of these matters can only be known through revelation, as human intellect is incapable of grasping their fundamental truths.
The Qur’an clearly affirms this in the verse:
"قَالَ أَتُحَاجُّونِّي فِي اللَّهِ وَقَدْ هَدَانِ"
"He said: Do you argue with me concerning Allah, while He has guided me?"
(Al-Baqarah: 80)
❖ Philosophy’s Futile Pursuits
Despite this clear principle, philosophy has historically engaged in extensive debates regarding the Essence and Attributes of Allah.
Even though philosophers themselves admit their inability to reach certainty on these matters, they still fabricated countless theories.
Their discourse often proceeds as though Allah were a visible being, subject to human observation and logical analysis.
❖ The Trend Among Muslim Thinkers in Later Centuries
Philosophical and Theological Domination
During the period of intellectual decline among Muslims, a significant trend emerged: philosophical principles became the basis for Islamic beliefs.
Theologians and rationalists began prioritizing intellect over the Qur'an and Sunnah, leading to allegorical interpretations of verses and hadiths to align them with philosophical norms.
❖ Imam Ibn Taymiyyah’s Position
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah vehemently opposed this trend.
He asserted that the foundation of beliefs and religious realities lies in revelation and Prophethood, not in speculative philosophy.
According to him:
✔ Intellect can support revelation,
✔ But it cannot be the source of divine truths.
❖ The Role and Limits of Intellect
Guidance Through Intellect
Ibn Taymiyyah viewed intellect as a tool that helps recognize the truth of the Messenger ﷺ, after which revelation becomes the ultimate guide.
He likened intellect to a person guiding another to a scholar, where the scholar’s ruling holds final authority—similarly, intellect leads to revelation but does not overrule it.
❖ Exaggerated Esteem of Intellect
Philosophers and theologians exalted human reason to such an extent that they began judging every divine ruling and creed through the lens of rationality.
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah strongly condemned this view, stating:
✔ Faith in the Messenger ﷺ must be unconditional,
✔ If one’s belief is dependent on their intellect, it negates true faith.
❖ Compatibility Between Reason and Revelation
No Contradiction Between Sound Intellect and Authentic Revelation
In his renowned work "Bayān Muwāfaqat Ṣarīḥ al-Maʿqūl li Ṣaḥīḥ al-Manqūl", Ibn Taymiyyah demonstrated rationally that there is never a contradiction between pure reason and authentic transmission.
If a conflict appears:
✔ Either the intellect is flawed, or
✔ The transmission is not authentic.
❖ Evaluation of Philosophical Arguments
According to Ibn Taymiyyah, many philosophical arguments are mere wordplay, detached from reality.
In contrast, the Qur’anic proofs are:
✔ Stronger,
✔ Natural,
✔ Comprehensive,
✔ And free from unnecessary complexity.
❖ The Qur’anic Method vs. Philosophical Method
Balance in Affirmation and Negation
The Qur’an uses a balanced approach in describing Allah:
➤ It affirms His attributes in detail,
➤ While keeping negation concise.
For example:
"لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ"
"There is nothing like unto Him."
(As-Shura: 11)
In contrast, philosophy often focuses excessively on negation, leading to a vague and obscure understanding of Allah’s nature.
❖ Summary: Sources of Belief and Ibn Taymiyyah’s Contribution
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah dedicated his life to purifying Islamic beliefs from the influence of philosophy and speculative theology.
✔ He emphasized that revelation and Prophethood are the sole sources of divine truths,
✔ While intellect may assist, the final authority rests with revelation.
✿ His legacy serves as a beacon for those seeking clarity and authenticity in Islamic belief.
