✦ Philosophy, Epistemology, and the Clarification of Islamic Thought ✦
✍ A Critical Examination of Intellectual Foundations in the Light of Islam
According to Ahmad Javed, philosophy cannot serve as a tool for intellectual formation; rather, one must approach it with an already-formed worldview.
This is because philosophy is full of contradictions and paradoxes, which prevent a beginner’s mind from reaching any definitive conclusion.
This view was questioned by Dr. Jameel Asghar Jamai, who pointed out its apparent contradiction with modern educational philosophy, which emphasizes approaching knowledge with a blank mind.
➤ Every form of knowledge is shaped by a specific epistemology (تَصَوُّرِ عِلم).
➤ Nations and individuals, when acquiring or transmitting knowledge, inherently adhere to a certain theory of knowledge.
➤ Therefore, before entering any field—especially philosophy—it is essential to determine what knowledge is and how it is to be attained, otherwise one risks drowning in endless contradictions.
Ammar Nasir explains that philosophy may excel at challenging or deconstructing established norms, especially in ethics and metaphysics, but it fails to construct a sustainable alternative.
He gives a striking analogy:
“A saintly figure demonstrated his power by uprooting crops in a village—but when asked to replant them, he was helpless.”
This illustrates philosophy’s tendency to dismantle without reconstructing—its inherent limitation.
Conclusion: Philosophy should be engaged with, but with a clear awareness of its limitations and boundaries.
Epistemology refers to a worldview’s concept of knowledge—its sources, validity, and methodology. Different fields possess different frameworks:
✔ For an engineering student:
— One worldview sees the universe as self-existing, governed by purely material laws.
— Another believes it to be a created entity, with physical laws pointing to a higher metaphysical reality.
✔ For a religious student:
— The foundation is revelation, which connects metaphysical truths with intellect and consciousness.
Question:
How do we select a true or valid theory of knowledge without merely justifying a preferred belief?
Answer:
✔ Choose a framework that is:
— Minimally contradictory,
— Maximally meaningful,
— And meets high intellectual and rational standards.
➤ Epistemology precedes knowledge; it is not a result of knowledge but its foundation.
According to Islamic thought, three primary sources of knowledge are recognized:
① Senses (حواس خمسہ)
② Reason (‘Aql)
③ Truthful Report (خبرِ صادق) — i.e., revelation (وحی)
✔ Intellect is highly valued,
✦ But it is not sufficient on its own for grasping ultimate realities.
✔ Revelation acts as the guiding and correcting force to prevent misguidance.
Islamic scholars have consistently emphasized balance between intellect and revelation.
Objection:
Is absolute truth possible? Can it be demonstrated?
Response:
✔ No principle or theory—no matter how empirically reproducible—is ever truly complete.
✔ Modern mathematical logic has demonstrated that every comprehensive system has inherent limitations.
✔ All propositions derived from external tools or limited faculties remain non-absolute.
Before embracing any philosophy or epistemological model, it is essential to:
✔ Recognize its limitations,
✔ Examine its assumptions, and
✔ Evaluate its inherent contradictions.
Islamic epistemology, through a balanced integration of intellect, senses, and revelation, provides a holistic and grounded theory of knowledge.
✿ True knowledge is not merely accumulation of data, but recognition of the Source and purpose behind all that exists.
✍ A Critical Examination of Intellectual Foundations in the Light of Islam
❖ Approaching Philosophy with a Pre-Structured Mind
According to Ahmad Javed, philosophy cannot serve as a tool for intellectual formation; rather, one must approach it with an already-formed worldview.
This is because philosophy is full of contradictions and paradoxes, which prevent a beginner’s mind from reaching any definitive conclusion.
This view was questioned by Dr. Jameel Asghar Jamai, who pointed out its apparent contradiction with modern educational philosophy, which emphasizes approaching knowledge with a blank mind.
❖ Ahmad Javed’s Response: Knowledge Requires a Prior Epistemic Framework
➤ Every form of knowledge is shaped by a specific epistemology (تَصَوُّرِ عِلم).
➤ Nations and individuals, when acquiring or transmitting knowledge, inherently adhere to a certain theory of knowledge.
➤ Therefore, before entering any field—especially philosophy—it is essential to determine what knowledge is and how it is to be attained, otherwise one risks drowning in endless contradictions.
❖ The Nature of Philosophy: Deconstruction Without Reconstruction
Ammar Nasir explains that philosophy may excel at challenging or deconstructing established norms, especially in ethics and metaphysics, but it fails to construct a sustainable alternative.
He gives a striking analogy:
“A saintly figure demonstrated his power by uprooting crops in a village—but when asked to replant them, he was helpless.”
This illustrates philosophy’s tendency to dismantle without reconstructing—its inherent limitation.
Conclusion: Philosophy should be engaged with, but with a clear awareness of its limitations and boundaries.❖ What is Epistemology (تصورِ علم)? — Definition and Examples
Epistemology refers to a worldview’s concept of knowledge—its sources, validity, and methodology. Different fields possess different frameworks:
✔ For an engineering student:
— One worldview sees the universe as self-existing, governed by purely material laws.
— Another believes it to be a created entity, with physical laws pointing to a higher metaphysical reality.
✔ For a religious student:
— The foundation is revelation, which connects metaphysical truths with intellect and consciousness.
❖ How to Determine the Correct Epistemology?
Question:
How do we select a true or valid theory of knowledge without merely justifying a preferred belief?
Answer:
✔ Choose a framework that is:
— Minimally contradictory,
— Maximally meaningful,
— And meets high intellectual and rational standards.
➤ Epistemology precedes knowledge; it is not a result of knowledge but its foundation.
❖ Islamic Epistemology: A Balanced Framework
According to Islamic thought, three primary sources of knowledge are recognized:
① Senses (حواس خمسہ)
② Reason (‘Aql)
③ Truthful Report (خبرِ صادق) — i.e., revelation (وحی)
✔ Intellect is highly valued,
✦ But it is not sufficient on its own for grasping ultimate realities.
✔ Revelation acts as the guiding and correcting force to prevent misguidance.
Islamic scholars have consistently emphasized balance between intellect and revelation.
❖ Objections to Absolute Truth and Reproducibility
Objection:
Is absolute truth possible? Can it be demonstrated?
Response:
✔ No principle or theory—no matter how empirically reproducible—is ever truly complete.
✔ Modern mathematical logic has demonstrated that every comprehensive system has inherent limitations.
✔ All propositions derived from external tools or limited faculties remain non-absolute.
❖ Conclusion: Critical Engagement Before Adoption
Before embracing any philosophy or epistemological model, it is essential to:
✔ Recognize its limitations,
✔ Examine its assumptions, and
✔ Evaluate its inherent contradictions.
Islamic epistemology, through a balanced integration of intellect, senses, and revelation, provides a holistic and grounded theory of knowledge.✿ True knowledge is not merely accumulation of data, but recognition of the Source and purpose behind all that exists.
