Look ahead or behind, to the right or left, or even reconsider repeatedly, in every direction and path, and search for a thought, methodology, or system that respects the human intellect, establishing its structure on appreciation, respect, activation, and reverence. You will find this only in Islam, for it has approached the intellect in a way that elevates its status and regulates its path so that it remains free from whims and builds a civilization that transcends the sky. This is evident in the following:

Firstly: Rejecting assumption where certainty is required:

Islamic intellect is based on rejecting assumption wherever certainty is sought, especially when it comes to establishing beliefs that form a person's view of existence, of Allah, the universe, humankind, and life. These great matters cannot rely on assumption; rather, they must be based on knowledge, that is, certain knowledge.

Thus, the Qur’an condemns the polytheists for following assumption in such matters, as Allah says: “And most of them follow not except assumption. Indeed, assumption avails not against the truth at all. Indeed, Allah is Knowing of what they do.” (Yunus: 36) And Allah says: “And they have thereof no knowledge. They follow not except assumption, and indeed, assumption avails not against the truth at all.” (An-Najm: 28)

In fact, the Qur’an confirms that the misguidance of most people is due to following assumption, as Allah says: “And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allah. They follow not except assumption, and they are not but falsifying.” (Al-An'am: 116) And He said to His Messenger, peace be upon him: “But if they do not respond to you – then know that they only follow their [own] desires. And who is more astray than one who follows his desire without guidance from Allah? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.” (Al-Qasas: 50)

Secondly: Not following whims and emotions in the field of knowledge:

The Islamic structure of the intellect does not allow a person to surrender to whims, as whims blind and deafen, and following emotions may mislead a person from the truth, especially extreme emotions like intense love, hatred, and anger. Therefore, Islam prohibits judgment during anger. In Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim, Abu Bakra reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “No judge must give judgment between two people when he is angry,” because anger blocks the proper perception of the different aspects of the case.

Hence, the Qur’an criticized the polytheists for following both assumption and personal whims regarding their idols, as Allah says: “They are not but [mere] names you have named them – you and your forefathers – for which Allah has sent down no authority. They follow not except assumption and what their souls desire, and there has already come to them from their Lord guidance.” (An-Najm: 23) And Allah said to David, peace be upon him: “O David, indeed We have made you a successor upon the earth, so judge between the people in truth and do not follow [your own] desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of Allah.” (Sad: 26)

Thirdly: Rejecting blind imitation of parents and ancestors:

The Muslim intellect rejects stagnation based on the ways of parents and ancestors or blindly accepting their beliefs and actions. Instead, these should be subject to scrutiny and reflection. It is unreasonable for the dead to think for us while we are alive, or for the ancients to bind us to the conclusions of past times. We are bound by what our minds guide us to and what our reasoning concludes. It is a flaw to think with the minds of others when Allah has given us our own minds.

Thus, the Qur’an launched a fierce attack on stagnation and blind imitation in all its forms, as Allah says: “And when it is said to them, 'Follow what Allah has revealed,' they say, 'Rather, we will follow that which we found our forefathers doing.' Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided?” (Al-Baqarah: 170) Ibn al-Jawzi said: “Blind imitation nullifies the benefit of the intellect, for the intellect was created for contemplation and reflection. It is disgraceful for one who has been given a lamp to extinguish it and walk in darkness.” ⁽¹⁾

Fourthly: Rejecting subservience to leaders and the powerful:

Islam fought against blind imitation manifested in the subservience of people and masses to leaders, the powerful, tyrants, and the wealthy. The Qur’an condemned such blind subservience, holding the people accountable along with their misguiding leaders, as Allah says: “The Day their faces will be turned about in the Fire, they will say, 'How we wish we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger.' {66} And they will say, 'Our Lord, indeed we obeyed our masters and our dignitaries, and they led us astray from the [right] way.' {67} Our Lord, give them double the punishment and curse them with a great curse.” (Al-Ahzab)

The Qur’an also held followers accountable for their misguidance, for Allah gave them the capabilities to follow the right path, but they disregarded them and followed the misguiders. Allah says: “[Allah] will say, 'Enter among nations which had passed on before you of jinn and mankind into the Fire.' Every time a nation enters, it will curse its sister until, when they have all overtaken one another therein, the last of them will say about the first of them, 'Our Lord, these had misled us, so give them a double punishment of the Fire.' He will say, 'For each is double, but you do not know.' {38} And the first of them will say to the last of them, 'Then you had not any favor over us, so taste the punishment for what you used to earn.'” (Al-A'raf)

Fifthly: Worship through intellectual contemplation:

The Islamic mindset revolves around contemplation and reflection. In Islam, intellectual contemplation is a duty, and reflection is a form of worship. By contemplation, a person uses their intellect to reflect and consider, starting with themselves, then the closest things to them, and then expanding to reflect on the heavens and the earth. This contemplation leads to belief and certainty. The Qur’an encourages this, as Allah says: “And on the earth are signs for the certain [in faith], {20} and in yourselves. Then will you not see?” (Adh-Dhariyat: 20-21) And He says: “Then let mankind look at his food.” (Abasa: 24) And Allah also says: “Say, 'Observe what is in the heavens and the earth.' But of no avail will be signs or warners to a people who do not believe.” (Yunus: 101) And Allah also says: “We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?” (Fussilat: 53)

Sixthly: No claim is accepted without proof:

The Muslim intellect does not accept any claim without scientific proof supporting it, demonstrating its validity and truthfulness. If there is no evidence to back a claim or issue, it is rejected. Allah says: “And they say, 'None will enter Paradise except one who is a Jew or a Christian.' That is [merely] their wishful thinking. Say, 'Produce your proof, if you should be truthful.'” (Al-Baqarah: 111) Allah’s words: “Produce your proof, if you should be truthful” have come in several verses of the Qur’an, refuting false claims and establishing that the Muslim intellect does not accept any claim without proof.

Seventhly: Observing Allah’s laws in the universe and society:

The Muslim intellect is based on respecting the laws and rules that Allah has established in the universe and society. These laws are universal and comprehensive, applying to all people equally, and they are fixed and enduring, not changing or being altered. They apply to others as they did to earlier generations. Allah says: “Similar situations [as yours] have passed on before you, so proceed throughout the earth and observe how was the end of those who denied.” (Ali-Imran: 137) And He says: “Then do they await except the way of the former peoples? But you will never find in the way of Allah any change, and you will never find in the way of Allah any alteration.” (Fatir: 43)

The early Muslims respected these laws, honored the chain of causes and effects, and built an exemplary civilization. This led to the flourishing of scientific knowledge in the natural and mathematical sciences, with its roots extending and branches flourishing, yielding fruits by God’s willing. ⁽²⁾

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(1) Talbees Iblees, p. 74.

(2) Mind and Science in the Noble Qur'an, by Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi, p. 250.

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