'Aql
Encyclopedia
‘Aql is an Arabic language term used in Islamic theology
or philosophy
to the intellect
the rational
faculty of the soul or mind. It is the normal translation of the Greek term nous
. In jurisprudence, it is associated with using reason as a source for sharia
"religious law" and has been translated as "dialectical reasoning".
While predominantly expounded by Shī‘ī thinkers, Sunni Muslims such as Barelvis and Sufis share similar beliefs.
, and Ijma‘ "consensus" as sources of Islamic law and judicial decisions (ḥukm). However, Twelvers of the Ja‘farī school of law utilize ‘aql whereas Sunnis use qiyas
"analogical reasoning" as the fourth source of law.
Among Twelvers, Akhbārīs
(associated with exotericism and traditionalism and theological schools in Qom
) and Usulis (associated with esotericism and rationalism and theological schools in Baghdad
) were contending subschools: the former reject ijtihād
outright; the latter advocate ijtihad and have been predominant for the last 300 years.
In Shī‘ī Islam, "the gates of ijtihād" were never closed and with the use of ‘aql, Shī‘ī mujtahids "practitioner of ijtihād" and faqīhs "legal specialists" are able to respond as issues arise that were not explicitly dealt with in the Qur'an or Sunnah.
The "possessor of ‘aql", or al-‘āqīl (plural al-‘uqqāl) realises a deep connection with God. Jaʿfar aṣ-Ṣādiq
(d. 765, notably an Imām
) described this connection as a realisation that God loves some, that God is truth and that only ‘ilm
"sacred knowledge" and its development can help humanity fulfil its potential.
His son, Imām Mūsà al-Kāżim
(d. 799), expanded this exegesis by defining ‘aql as the "faculty for apprehending the divine, a faculty of metaphysical perception, a light in the heart, through which one can discern and recognize signs from God." He further noted that where the A'immah (Imāms) are the ḥujjatu ż-żāhirah "External proof [of God]", ‘aql is the ḥujjatu l-Bāṭinah "Secret proof".
While in early Islam, ‘aql was opposed to jahl "ignorance", the expansion of the concept meant it was now opposed to safah "[deliberate] stupidity" and junūn "lack of sense, indulgence". Under the influence of Mu‘tazilī
thought, ‘aql came to mean "dialectical reasoning".
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
or philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
to the intellect
Intellect
Intellect is a term used in studies of the human mind, and refers to the ability of the mind to come to correct conclusions about what is true or real, and about how to solve problems...
the rational
Reason
Reason is a term that refers to the capacity human beings have to make sense of things, to establish and verify facts, and to change or justify practices, institutions, and beliefs. It is closely associated with such characteristically human activities as philosophy, science, language, ...
faculty of the soul or mind. It is the normal translation of the Greek term nous
Nous
Nous , also called intellect or intelligence, is a philosophical term for the faculty of the human mind which is described in classical philosophy as necessary for understanding what is true or real, very close in meaning to intuition...
. In jurisprudence, it is associated with using reason as a source for sharia
Sharia
Sharia law, is the moral code and religious law of Islam. Sharia is derived from two primary sources of Islamic law: the precepts set forth in the Quran, and the example set by the Islamic prophet Muhammad in the Sunnah. Fiqh jurisprudence interprets and extends the application of sharia to...
"religious law" and has been translated as "dialectical reasoning".
While predominantly expounded by Shī‘ī thinkers, Sunni Muslims such as Barelvis and Sufis share similar beliefs.
Shī‘ah Legal Implementation
In Shī‘ah jurisprudence, ‘aql is the process of using intellect or logic to deduce law. Legal scholars in both Sunni and Shī‘ah Islamic traditions share Quranic interpretation, the SunnahSunnah
The word literally means a clear, well trodden, busy and plain surfaced road. In the discussion of the sources of religion, Sunnah denotes the practice of Prophet Muhammad that he taught and practically instituted as a teacher of the sharī‘ah and the best exemplar...
, and Ijma‘ "consensus" as sources of Islamic law and judicial decisions (ḥukm). However, Twelvers of the Ja‘farī school of law utilize ‘aql whereas Sunnis use qiyas
Qiyas
In Islamic jurisprudence, qiyās is the process of deductive analogy in which the teachings of the Hadith are compared and contrasted with those of the Qur'an, in order to apply a known injunction to a new circumstance and create a new injunction...
"analogical reasoning" as the fourth source of law.
Among Twelvers, Akhbārīs
Akhbari
The Akhbārīs are Twelver Shī‘a Muslims who reject the use of reasoning in deriving verdicts, and believe only the Qur'an, aḥadīth, and consensus should be used as sources to derive verdicts . The term Akhbārī is used in contrast to Usūlī...
(associated with exotericism and traditionalism and theological schools in Qom
Qom
Qom is a city in Iran. It lies by road southwest of Tehran and is the capital of Qom Province. At the 2006 census, its population was 957,496, in 241,827 families. It is situated on the banks of the Qom River....
) and Usulis (associated with esotericism and rationalism and theological schools in Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
) were contending subschools: the former reject ijtihād
Ijtihad
Ijtihad is the making of a decision in Islamic law by personal effort , independently of any school of jurisprudence . as opposed to taqlid, copying or obeying without question....
outright; the latter advocate ijtihad and have been predominant for the last 300 years.
In Shī‘ī Islam, "the gates of ijtihād" were never closed and with the use of ‘aql, Shī‘ī mujtahids "practitioner of ijtihād" and faqīhs "legal specialists" are able to respond as issues arise that were not explicitly dealt with in the Qur'an or Sunnah.
History
In Islam, the term ‘aql was heavily elucidated by early Shī‘ah thinkers; it came to replace and expand the pre-Islamic concept of ḥilm "serene justice and self-control, dignity" in opposition to the negative notions of ignorance (jahl) and stupidity (safah).The "possessor of ‘aql", or al-‘āqīl (plural al-‘uqqāl) realises a deep connection with God. Jaʿfar aṣ-Ṣādiq
Ja'far al-Sadiq
Jaʿfar ibn Muhammad al-Sādiq was a descendant of Muhammad and a prominent Muslim jurist. He is revered as an Imam by the adherents of Shi'a Islam and as a renowned Islamic scholar and personality by Sunni Muslims. The Shi'a Muslims consider him to be the sixth Imam or leader and spiritual...
(d. 765, notably an Imām
Imamah (Shi'a doctrine)
Imāmah is the Shia doctrine of religious, spiritual and political leadership of the Ummah. The Shīa believe that the A'immah are the true Caliphs or rightful successors of Muḥammad, and further that Imams are possessed of divine knowledge and authority as well as being part of the Ahl al-Bayt,...
) described this connection as a realisation that God loves some, that God is truth and that only ‘ilm
Ilm (Arabic)
‘Ilm as an Islamic term refers to knowledge of Islam. The Qur'an is said to encourage the acquisition of knowledge. It explains the study and development of sciences during the Golden Age of Islam....
"sacred knowledge" and its development can help humanity fulfil its potential.
His son, Imām Mūsà al-Kāżim
Musa al-Kadhim
' was the seventh of the Twelve Imams of Twelver Shi'a Islam. He was the son of Imam and his mother was Hamidah Khātūn, a student and former Zanjiyyah slave...
(d. 799), expanded this exegesis by defining ‘aql as the "faculty for apprehending the divine, a faculty of metaphysical perception, a light in the heart, through which one can discern and recognize signs from God." He further noted that where the A'immah (Imāms) are the ḥujjatu ż-żāhirah "External proof [of God]", ‘aql is the ḥujjatu l-Bāṭinah "Secret proof".
While in early Islam, ‘aql was opposed to jahl "ignorance", the expansion of the concept meant it was now opposed to safah "[deliberate] stupidity" and junūn "lack of sense, indulgence". Under the influence of Mu‘tazilī
Mu'tazili
' is an Islamic school of speculative theology that flourished in the cities of Basra and Baghdad, both in present-day Iraq, during the 8th–10th centuries. The adherents of the Mu'tazili school are best known for their having asserted that, because of the perfect unity and eternal nature of God,...
thought, ‘aql came to mean "dialectical reasoning".
External references
- http://www.mumineen.org/archive/essays/a-philosophical-discourse/A Philosophical Discourse by Dr Syedna Yusuf NajmuddinSyedna Yusuf NajmuddinSyedna Yusuf Najmuddin Bin Syedna Zakiuddin , Surat, India) was the 42 nd Da'i al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohra sect of Musta‘lī Islam. He succeeded the 41 st Dai Syedna Abduttayyeb Zakiuddin Bin Syedna Badruddin, to the religious post.Syedna Yusuf Najmuddin became Da'i al-Mutlaq in 1200AH /1787AD...
(Translation of Falsafato Faydhil Aql by Syedna Taher Saifuddin)]