The Limits of Reason and the Guidance of Divine Revelation
The Limitations of Human Intellect
In today’s world, there is a growing tendency to evaluate everything through the lens of reason. However, human intellect lacks a universal principle or formula that can serve as an objective standard of good and evil for all of humanity. History bears witness that relying solely on reason has often misled mankind and pushed it toward destruction.
Historical Examples of Misguided Rationalism
◈ Philosophy of the Bāṭinī Sect:
Over eight centuries ago, a man named ʿUbayd Allāh ibn al-Ḥasan al-Qayrawānī, based solely on his intellect, taught a deviant moral ideology that justified incestuous relationships, including between siblings.
(Source: Al-Farq bayn al-Firaq by Al-Baghdādī; Bayān Madhāhib al-Bāṭiniyyah by Al-Daylamī)
◈ Justification of Atomic Bombings:
The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were rationalized by claiming that they saved ten million lives—a justification of brutality under the pretext of logic.
(Source: Encyclopædia Britannica)
◈ Legalization of Homosexuality:
In the British Parliament, support for same-sex marriage was defended on the grounds that law should not interfere in an individual’s private life—despite its clear moral consequences.
(Source: The Legal Theory by Friedman)
The Difference Between Reason and Revelation
Reason is a limited source of knowledge that is only effective within a specific scope. Ibn Khaldūn beautifully illustrates this with an analogy:
“Reason is like a scale designed to weigh gold—if one tries to weigh mountains with it, the scale will break.”
(Source: Muqaddimah of Ibn Khaldūn, Discourse on ʿIlm al-Kalām)
The Islamic Perspective
Islam permits the use of reason, but clearly defines its boundaries. Where reason fails to reach, divine revelation (waḥy) takes over as the true guide. The Qur’an explicitly states:
❝ فَاحْكُم بَيْنَهُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ ❞
“And judge between them by what Allah has revealed…”
(Surah An-Nisāʾ: 105)
Freedom of Thought and Its Limits
In a dialogue with a research scholar from Amnesty International, Mufti Taqi Usmani emphasized that freedom of thought cannot be absolute. He argued that there must be universal moral restrictions, which can only be defined through divine revelation.
Modern Science and the Qur’an
The Qur’an does not provide scientific formulas or technical instructions, because that domain belongs to human intellect and experience. The Qur’an provides guidance precisely where human reason ends and is no longer sufficient.
Conclusion
Pure reason, when left unchecked, cannot serve as a comprehensive guide for humanity. It is bounded, fallible, and vulnerable to misuse. Divine revelation, in contrast, offers a universal moral compass that ensures both individual and collective well-being. True guidance lies in recognizing the limitations of reason and submitting to the timeless wisdom of waḥy.
