The Place of Reason among Assalaf

Abstract

This research contests the claim that Assalaf ‘the righteous predecessors’ neglected reason. It also focusses on clarifying that reason emphasized several issues in doctrine such as belief in the existence of Allah and His Oneness, and the recognition of revelation, prophecy and resurrection, in addition to other matters that are well established by the mind in accordance with the Qur’an and the Prophetic Sunnah ‘practice’. Both descriptive and critical methods were used in this study. The most important relevant finding was that Assalaf did not give priority to reason over the divinely revealed texts, but rather used it within its limits as there is no contradiction in Islam between correct transmission and explicit reasoning. Likewise, they did not deny the mind’s ability in acquiring knowledge and contemplating in the creation of the heavens and the earth in addition the cosmic signs. Assalaf didn't follow the way of reasoning followed by the theologians, but they used it as a tool to understand the Qur’an and the Sunnah and to apply them as well.