The Quran Promotes Rational Thinking

By S. Arshad, New Age Islam 1 May 2023 Prophet Abraham Was A Rationalist. Main Points: 1. The Quran encourages Muslims to be rational thinkers. 2. The Quran asks Muslims to use intellect. 3. It asks Muslims to reflect on nature. 4. Prophet Abraham a.s. contemplated on the sun, the moon and the stars. ------ The holy Quran's contribution to the promotion of rational thinking has not much been assessed. On the contrary, the myth that Islam opposes rational thinking and stresses on blind faith has been spread so much so that the whole Muslim community is seen as one that suffers from intellectual stagnation. The Muslims are taught right from the childhood that they should stick to what their scholars have written and taught and should not use their intellect and reasoning to try to understand the Quran. The Quran, on the other hand, asks its readers to use their intellect to reach to the truth. The Quran does advise its readers to believe in the powers and oneness of God but at the same time encourages them to think, ponder, reflect and contemplate on the universe, nature and even on their own selves to realise the truth and to reject their false beliefs. The Muslims consider rational and scientific thinking as opposed to Islam because they think that rational and scientific thinking will lead them to disbelief and to materialistic way of life. The fact is that Quran says that rational and scientific thinking will lead to the truth and to God-realisation. In many of the verses, the Quran asks man to use his intellect (Aql) and to reflect (Fikr) and to do Zikr. Zikr has a broad meaning. It may mean to utter God's name, to remember Him and also to discuss or to contemplate collectively. In ther words, Zikr may mean holding large scale discussions for the purpose of research and propagation. Here are some of the verses: "Will you not then understand? (Afala taqilun)(Al An'am:32) "Will you not then reflect?"(Afala tatafakkarun)(Al An'am:50) "Will you not be mindful?"(Afala tatazakkarun)(Al An'am:80) In fact, Quran hates those who do not use their intellect and do not try to reach the truth with the help of their own reasoning: "No one can believe except by Allah's leave and Allah lays abomination on those who who do not use their intellect." (La Yaqilun)."(Yunus: 100) The Quran says that God has endowed man with eyes, ears and heart to use them independently and not be a blind follower devoid of creative thinking: It is He who has endowed you with the faculties of hearing and sight and given you hearts ( to think). Scarcely do you give thanks."(Al.Muminun:78) The Quran says that those who use their intellect and creative thinking to solve the mysteries of nature, God opens the doors of knowledge on them. We can see that those who reflected on nature and did research, made important discoveries and inventions. The scientists, philosophers and researchers have made important contributions to the advancement of civilisation by virtue of the use of their eyes, ears, brain and intellect: "We have made signs obvious to those who contemplate."(Al An'am: 126) It is interesting to note that Prophet Abraham a.s. was a rationalist. He tried to reach to the realities of things with the help of logic, reasoning and intellect. Before being appointed as a prophet, he would contemplate on nature and on the reality of false gods. The Quran narrates his story: "So when the night covered him (with darkness) he saw a star. He said, "This is my lord. But when it set, he said, "I like not those that disappear." And when he saw the moon rising, he said, "This is my lord". But when it set, he said, “Unless my Lord guides me, I will surely be among the people gone astray". And when he saw the sun rising, he said, This is my lord, this is greater. “But when it set, he said, "O my people, I am free from what you associate with Allah."(Al An'am: 76-78) He did not hesitate to request God to demonstrate His power to make the dead alive: "And remember when Abraham said, "My Lord! Show me how you give life to the dead" ,Allah responded, "Don't you believe?" Abraham replied, "Yes, I do but just so my heart can be reassured, Allah said, " Then bring four birds, draw them to you, then cut them into pieces and scatter them on different hill tops. Then call them back, they will fly to you in haste. And so you will know that Allah is Almighty, All Wise. "(Al Baqarah: 260) This was because the atheists and idol worshippers believed that after meeting death, man and all the living beings turn to dust and cannot be brought back to life. They believed that the prophets who warned them of life after death and punishment for their sins and wrongdoings in the Hereafter were only narrating myths and fables. "They said, “Once we are dead and reduced to dust, will we really be resurrected? We have already been promised this as well as our forefathers earlier. This is nothing but ancient fables."(Al Muminun: 82-83) "Will we be returned to life when we are dead and reduced to dust? Such a return is impossible"۔ (Qaf: 3) "Therefore, Prophet Abraham a.s. requested God to give a practical demonstration of how He will bring the dead alive and God did not express His annoyance at Prophet Abraham's request. In fact, God further showed him the wonders of heaven and earth so that his faith in God becomes more firm. "We also showed Abraham the wonders of the heaven and the earth, so he would be sure in faith."(Al An'am:75) Prophet Abraham a.s. had also to go through further tests to be finally appointed a prophet. "Recall when Abraham's Lord tested him in certain matters and when he successfully stood the test, He said, "Indeed I am going to appoint you a leader of all people." When Abraham asked, "And is that covenant also for my descendants the Lord responded, “My covenant does not embrace the wrongdoers."(Al Baqarah: 124) Some people say that the Quran considers only those who believe in Ghaib (the unseen) true believers and so logical and rational thinking is opposed to it. "This is the book! There is no doubt about it -- a guide to those mindful of Allah, who believe in the unseen, establish prayer and donate from what We have provided for them."(Al Baqarah: 1-3). Believing in the Unseen does not negate rational thinking. Believing in the Unseen means believing in the unseen, nameless, formless, omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient power that has created and drives the universe. Many scientists including Einstein believed in an unseen power that drives the universe and their belief in this power has stemmed from their rational and scientific thinking. Therefore, Prophet Abraham a.s. is a good example of rational thinking leading one to Prophethood. ----- S. Arshad is a columnist with NewAgeIslam.com. URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-ideology/quran-rational-thinking/d/129678 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism