The Mu'tazilee Doubt: Using the Intellect to Understand the Texts

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Another argument by the People of Innovation, the philosophers specifically, is that we must use our intellect to understand the texts. Whatever complies with ration and our intellect then this must be the basis of understanding the texts. This argument was also adopted by the Mu’tazilah.

Response by Ahl as-Sunnah:

Using our intellect is possible however our intellect must be restricted to what we know of the Sharee’ah, and not base our intellect with something alien to the Sharee’ah.

For example, Allaah, the Most High, says:

“Destroying everything by the Command of its Lord!” [al-Ahqaaf 46:25]

In these Ayaat we are told a wind destroyed everything. However, we know that everything was not destroyed. The skies and the earth remained and in fact the Ayah itself explains:

“So they became such that nothing could be seen except their dwellings!” [al-Ahqaaf 46:25]

Therefore, explaining (Ta’weel) and making exceptions (Takhsees) to the text must be understood with the texts themselves, and this is what is meant by using our intellect.

Therefore, our intellect can understand that that Allaah has Names and Attributes which are unlike His Creation.

Next post: language is created so how can Allaah Speak if language is created?