God distinguished humans from others by reason and the ability to think and choose. With reason came freedom, and in more than one place, God calls for the use of the intellect.
God mentions in the Quran:
- • "Indeed in that are signs for a people who reflect" (6 times)
- • "That they might reflect" (3 times)
- • The word "they reason" (22 times)
He also calls for not neutralizing it: "And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge" [Al-Isra 36].
He made knowledge the foundation of monotheism (Tawhid): "So know that there is no deity except Allah" [Muhammad 19].
He denounced those who do not use their minds:
- • "Nay! but their hearts have become rusted" [Al-Mutaffifin 14]
- • "Or are there locks upon their hearts?" [Muhammad 24]
More than that, He condemned them and described them as being more astray than cattle: "They have ears but do not hear with them... they are like cattle; nay, they are more astray" [Al-A'raf 179].
After all this, a religious cleric appears to tell us: "Your mind is like a donkey; when you reach the Sheikh, tie it up outside and enter to receive the tradition without reason."
Another Sheikh tells us with total audacity: "Prioritizing reason over transmission (Naql) is the path of those who are astray."
"And they will say, 'If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze.'"
[Al-Mulk 10]God has spoken the truth, and the ignorant have lied.