Quran Urges Human Beings to Reflect
Philosophers and those who are into philosophy say religion and philosophy, or in other words the Quran and philosophy are not inconsistent.
Many verses of the Holy Book call for contemplation and underscore wisdom and rationality.
Verse 125 of Surah An-Nahl says: “Call (the pagans) to the path of your Lord through wisdom and good advice and argue with them in the best manner. God knows well about those who stray from His path and those who seek guidance.”
The aim of urging contemplation and rationality is leading mankind to the truth that God exists and man can achieve salvation and the way to it is believing in God and relying on Him.
Not only does the Quran urged reflection, but also the language is one of logic and rationality in many verses, some of which prove something and some disprove something.
In Verse 22 of Surah Al-Anbiya, for instance, God says: “Had there been other deities in the heavens and the earth besides God, both the heavens and the earth would have been destroyed. God, the Lord of the Throne, is too Glorious to be as they think He is.”
This verse presents an argument based on a comparison that rationally proves there is no other deity but God.
Another example is what the Quran says about physical resurrection: “He questions Our Resurrection of him, but has forgotten his own creation. He has said, ‘Who will give life to the bones which have become ashes?’” (Surah Ya-Seen, Verse 78) This is also a philosophical argument.
There are also many examples in the Quran in terms of calling for critical thinking. For instance, in order to know the truth, the Quran calls on people to think for themselves instead of blindly imitating others: “When some people are asked to follow the revelations of God, they say, ‘We would rather follow what our fathers have followed,’ even though their fathers had no understanding and could not find the true guidance.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 170)
Or in verse 36 of Surah Al-Isra, God says: “Do not follow what you do not know; the ears, eyes, and hearts will all be held responsible for their deeds.” So one should not take a path he does not know, or follow someone whom he does not know well. These are very important issues in critical thinking and there are many such recommendations related to critical thinking in the Quran.
