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Quranic Wisdom

The Importance of Reason

he Quran gives great importance to the faculty of reason.
TThere are dozens of verses in the Quran that emphasize the
importance of rational thinking. One such verse is found in the
chapter Al-Anfal (The Spoils of War). The translation of this verse
is as under:
The worst creatures in God’s eyes are those who are
deaf and dumb, and who do not use their reason.
(8:22)
What is reason? Reason is the power of the mind to think,
understand, and form judgements by a process of logic. This
power is given to every human being by the Creator. Reason is
the greatest faculty of every man and woman. Reason alone is the
distinctive quality of a human being.

Reason is not an isolated faculty. According to the Quran, the
fact is that the whole creation is based on reason. The religion
revealed by God is also a rational religion. Everyone is required
to plan one’s life by using reason. Those who fail to do so are
according to the Quran deaf, dumb and blind (2:18). Only that
belief is a valid belief which is based on reason and understanding.
Reason is so important that it is said that man is a rational
animal. Man has an unlimited mind, full of unlimited capacity,
but mind is like a hidden treasure. It is everyone’s first duty to
unfold his or her potential. One who dies without unfolding
one’s intellectual potential, is dying like an animal. Such a person
fails to fulfil the creation plan of God.
Reason needs to be developed. According to the Quran
there are several ways of this intellectual development—study,

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