In Islam, one of the established principles is the comprehensive upbringing of an individual. This upbringing addresses all aspects of a person, including their soul, morals, intellect, body, social, political, and economic sensibilities, as well as their aesthetic appreciation. It also includes preparing them for jihad so that the word of Allah is supreme. This is known as "the elements of Islamic education," which encompass noble values and an integrated methodology that ensures well-being in both this world and the Hereafter for those who adhere to it.
Islam's approach to intellectual development involves guiding, refining, and preparing the mind to function at its best. This enables a Muslim to perform their duties freely and efficiently, using their intellect for understanding, conceptualizing, contemplating, and reflecting on what they perceive and experience. Consequently, they are equipped to think, analyze, and form sound judgments, while being guided towards what benefits them and protects them. The intellectual development advocated by Islam has key sources: the Quran and Sunnah. These sources include the accounts of earlier peoples, their responses to prophets, moral values, and comprehensive rulings that address all aspects of human life.
Objectives of Intellectual Development in Islam
The objectives of Islam’s intellectual upbringing focus on honoring humans by respecting their intellect, one of the greatest blessings from Allah. The intellect differentiates between a person accountable for their actions and one incapable of responsibility. Through intellect, the oneness of Allah is recognized, forming the foundation of faith. The Quran emphasizes this distinction: "Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?" (Al-Baqarah: 44). Islamic scholars have outlined several objectives for intellectual development, including:
- Developing and Enlightening the Intellect:
This involves equipping the mind with verified knowledge and correct understanding, with no source more accurate than the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Knowledge holds great value in Islam: "Say, 'Are those who know equal to those who do not know?' Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding." (Az-Zumar: 9). Islam encourages the intellect to think, observe, and reflect deeply: "Similar situations [as yours] have passed on before you, so proceed throughout the earth and observe how was the end of those who denied." (Aal-E-Imran: 137). It also calls for the mind to avoid reliance on speculation and conjecture by cultivating the habit of examining evidence and proofs, while steering away from whims and desires: "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).
- Training the Intellect in Scientific Thinking:
This entails rejecting myths, superstitions, sorcery, and deception, as these impede intellectual progress and lack any evidence or proof. All such matters belong to the realm of the unseen, which Allah alone possesses: "Say, 'Indeed, I do not possess for you [the power of] harm or right direction.' Say, 'Indeed, there will never protect me from Allah anyone [if I should disobey], nor will I find in other than Him a refuge.'" (Al-Jinn: 21-22). The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever practices augury, has augury practiced for them, engages in soothsaying, has soothsaying done for them, practices magic, or has magic performed for them, has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad." (Al-Bazzar).
- Instilling Scientific Integrity in the Intellect:
This involves eliminating all factors that lead to intellectual deviation, such as bias, whims, and unfounded judgments. The Quran advises: "O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful." (Al-Hujurat: 6). It also calls for patience and avoiding haste: "So be patient, [O Muhammad], as were those of determination among the messengers and do not be impatient for them. It will be – on the Day they see that which they are promised – as though they had not remained [in the world] except an hour of a day. [This is] notification. And will [any] be destroyed except the defiantly disobedient people?" (Al-Ahqaf: 35).
One of the ways Islam honors humans is by respecting their intellect, granting them freedom to think, reflect, and contemplate. It removes all barriers that prevent them from reaching the truth through evidence and proofs. Islam encourages independent reasoning (ijtihad), which is the intellectual effort to derive rulings. This allows Muslims to adapt to changing circumstances, accepting or rejecting them based on the intellectual freedom they have been granted.
While Islam ensures freedom of thought, it discourages blind imitation, emphasizing reliance on evidence. It permits critique, objection, expression of opinions, and engaging in discussions and debates in the best manner. This fosters an environment where the intellect can function freely, fulfilling its primary role as the basis for accountability.
Policies of Intellectual Development in Islam
There are main principles and general policies for intellectual upbringing in Islam, which are foundational to this nurturing process. Deviating from them does not support achieving the aforementioned goals. These principles include:
- Respecting and Valuing the Intellect:
By entrusting it with contemplation, reflection, remembrance, understanding, and insight: "Rather, man, against himself, will be a witness, even if he presents his excuses." (Al-Qiyamah: 14-15). "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." (Aal-E-Imran: 190). The intellect is one of the essential objectives of Shariah and is included among the five necessities: preservation of religion, life, lineage, intellect, and wealth.
- Affirming the Role of Intellect in Life:
The intellect guides its possessor to faith in Allah, rescues them from disbelief and misguidance, and enables the acquisition of knowledge and sciences. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated: "I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, by what do people excel in this world?' He said, 'By intellect.' I said, 'And in the Hereafter?' He said, 'By intellect.' I said, 'Are they not recompensed for their deeds?' He said, 'O Aisha, did they act except according to the degree of intellect Allah granted them? By the degree of intellect Allah gave them, they acted; and by the degree they acted, they will be recompensed.'" (Al-Tirmidhi).
- Opening the Door of Consultation for the Intellect:
This emphasizes its significance in human life, as consultation has a positive impact on both individuals and society. It serves as a platform where the intellect operates to examine, reflect, and decide whether to accept or reject matters with full freedom and will. Consultation promotes appropriate maturity and advancement, serving as an ideal method to ensure that human life aligns with the honor Allah has granted mankind.
Methods of Intellectual Development in Islam
These methods achieve the objectives of Islamic education and align with its policies, remaining within its general framework. They encompass all actions that contribute to achieving these objectives within the context of those policies. In summary, they can be briefly outlined as follows:
- Providing reliable sources of knowledge.
- Presenting examples of scientific thinking.
- Instilling values that encourage intellectual integrity.
- Training the mind for freedom of thought while discouraging stagnation, blind following, and imitation.
- Encouraging constructive criticism that offers alternatives.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Read this Article in Arabic
