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Reasoning and intellect are the pillar of Islam and its fundamental foundation in beliefs, ethics, and conduct. This divine law does not permit a person to believe in what the mind does not deem true, nor to adopt traits that reason finds objectionable, nor to perform actions that reason considers reprehensible.
From this perspective, Qur’anic discourse, the sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), and the narrations of his Household (peace be upon them) are rich with terms that call for thinking and reasoning—such as reflection, remembrance, contemplation, understanding, learning, deep comprehension, mindfulness, insight, and restraint. These themes form a central محور (axis) and are emphasized more than anything else. In the Holy Qur’an, the word knowledge and its derivatives appear 779 times, remembrance 274 times, intellect 49 times, understanding (fiqh) 20 times, thought 18 times, core/intellect (lub) 16 times, and contemplation 4 times.
Islam views the intellect as the foundation of the human being, the measure of his value and levels of perfection, the criterion for evaluating deeds, the scale for recompense, and the inner proof of God.
The intellect is the most precious divine gift granted to humanity. It is the first principle of Islam, one of the most important pillars of life, and the finest adornment a person can possess.
The intellect is the most valuable wealth, the best friend and guide, and the strongest refuge of the people of faith.
Islam holds that knowledge needs intellect, because knowledge without reason is harmful; if a person’s knowledge lacks sound intellect, it becomes a burden upon him.
In summary, Islam sees the only path to material and spiritual perfection, the flourishing of life in this world and the Hereafter, the attainment of a better human society, and the realization of humanity’s noble purpose as lying in sound and correct thinking. All the tragedies and calamities that have afflicted humanity have resulted from ignorance and the failure to employ the power of thought.
Thus, those who held false beliefs will acknowledge on the Day of Judgment the reasons for their misfortune, saying:
“Had we but listened or reasoned, we would not be among the inhabitants of the Blaze.” So they will confess their sin; so away with the inhabitants of the Blaze.
Intellect in Language
In linguistic usage, the root meaning of ʿaql (intellect) conveys restraint, prevention, prohibition, and confinement—like tying a camel with a rope (ʿiqāl) to prevent it from moving. In the human being there is a faculty called intellect, which protects him from ignorance and safeguards him from slipping in thought and action. Hence the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said:
“The intellect is a restraint against ignorance.”
Intellect in Islamic Texts
The great scholar Shaykh al-Ḥurr al-ʿĀmilī (may God be pleased with him), at the end of the chapter “The Obligation of Obeying the Intellect and Opposing Ignorance,” said regarding the meanings of intellect:
“Among scholars, the term intellect is used with many meanings. Through careful examination, it becomes clear that in the narrations it is used in several senses…”
If you’d like, I can also:
make it more academic,
simplify it, or
keep a literal translation style.
