It is often believed that faith has no place for rationality. We are to obey God without thinking. In mainstream Islam, questioning is taken as wrong. Some would even say that it leads a Muslim to darkness. This is actually a misconception brought on by those who wish to control the masses. It is not limited to religions. There was once a time when Muslims believed in rationality. Perhaps, this is the reason why they were able to welcome the Golden Age? Truth is that we have a brain for a reason and Allah in several verses of the Quran tell us to use it. Here are some of those:
1. Indeed, the worst of living creatures in the sight of Allah are the deaf and dumb who do not use reason. 8:22
Comment: Here Allah is saying that those who do not use reasoning power are not liked by Allah.
2. And it is not for a soul to believe except by permission of Allah , and He will place defilement upon those who will not use reason. 10:100
Comment: This can be one of the scariest verses for some who believe that faith and reasoning cannot go hand in hand because Allah is too abstract to understand through thoughts. But no, we can know who he is without even seeing him. All we need is the power of reasoning.
3. O you who have believed, do not take as intimates those other than yourselves, for they will not spare you [any] ruin. They wish you would have hardship. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater. We have certainly made clear to you the signs, if you will use reason. Here you are loving them but they are not loving you, while you believe in the Scripture - all of it. And when they meet you, they say, "We believe." But when they are alone, they bite their fingertips at you in rage. Say, "Die in your rage. Indeed, Allah is Knowing of that within the breasts." 3:18-19
Comment: The verses above pretty relevant to those who wrote the hadith books. Those who read them by using rationality and faith in Allah know that the writers were nothing but haters of Muslims. Just think about how they insulted the Prophet. No stone was left unturned to do so. We should not hate them though. They had their reason to finish Islam.
4. Say, "If Allah had willed, I would not have recited it to you, nor would He have made it known to you, for I had remained among you a lifetime before it. Then will you not reason?" 10:16
Comment: This is a reflection of what we can call scientific investigation. We are to look into patterns to form our conclusion from whatever gives us questions.
5. And within the land are neighboring plots and gardens of grapevines and crops and palm trees, [growing] several from a root or otherwise, watered with one water; but We make some of them exceed others in [quality of] fruit. Indeed in that are signs for a people who reason.13:4
Comment: A great verse that promotes studying of plant life.
6. He causes to grow for you thereby the crops, olives, palm trees, grapevines, and from all the fruits. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought.And He has subjected for you the night and day and the sun and moon, and the stars are subjected by His command. Indeed in that are signs for a people who reason.And [He has subjected] whatever He multiplied for you on the earth of varying colors. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who remember.16:11-13
Comment: Once again, we see here how Allah emphasizes that those who can use rationality will be able to study his creations of all kinds.
7.But when they are told, "Follow what God has bestowed from on high," some answer, "Nay, we shall follow [only] that which we found our forefathers believing in and doing." Why, even if their forefathers did not use their REASON at all, and were devoid of all guidance?2:17
Comment: Here you can see Allah tells us not to accept anything blindly.
8. Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding.Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], "Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.3:190-191
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