In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, stated:

It has been said that the distancing of Iblees (from Allah’s Mercy) is due to a false interpretation. He made an analogy and gave precedence to this analogy over the divine text – made a false analogue about himself and that his rational reasoning takes precedence over the command to prostrate, (claiming), “I am better than him (i.e., Adam).” He argued that a virtuous being does not humble himself to one who possesses lesser virtue, stating, “You created me from fire, while him You created from clay.”

He throught that this analogy that resembled truth, even though it is false, will benefit his false interpretation, thus he became the leader for all – until the day of Judgement- of those who make a false interpretation of the texts of the revelations. How many people in this world are followers of this cursed leader!

If you contemplate the majority of those doubts that are made to appear as truth by the misguided interpreters of texts and seeking to invalidate them, it becomes evident that these doubts bear a resemblance to those of Iblees which he attempts to present as truth. For instance, an individual says, “If the intellect and divine text are in conflict, give precedence to the intellect.” This assertion serves as the foundation for a principle that he employs to dismiss the revealed texts, which he alleges contradict reason, much like Iblees argued that a rational argument was at odds with the command to perform Sujud. This doubt arose from his arrogance, which obstructed his acceptance of the clear revelations. Similarly, it is observed that every erroneous challenger of the revealed texts does so out of pride. Allah, The Most High, stated:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُجَـٰدِلُونَ فِىٓ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ بِغَيۡرِ سُلۡطَـٰنٍ أَتَٮٰهُمۡۙ إِن فِى صُدُورِهِمۡ إِلَّا ڪِبۡرٌ۬ مَّا هُم بِبَـٰلِغِيهِۚ فَٱسۡتَعِذۡ بِٱللَّهِۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡبَصِيرُ

Verily, those who dispute about the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, without any authority having come to them, there is nothing else in their breasts except pride [to accept you (Muhammad ) as a Messenger of Allah and to obey you]. They will never have it (i.e. Prophethood which Allah has bestowed upon you). So seek refuge in Allah (O Muhammad from the arrogants). Verily, it is He Who is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer. [Ghafir. 56] [1]

Imam Abdul Azeez Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked:

Shaikh, are the ones who depend on their intellects to understand many of the affairs of the religion considered mistaken?

Answer: It is imperative for him not to rely solely on his intellect; instead, he should engage in the study of texts and depend on the divine revelations from Allah’s speech and those of His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, as they provide guidance and direction towards good. The intellect can right or wrong. The sects that oppose Ahlus Sunnah faced destruction primarily due to their intellects. They thought that they had good intellects and that their intellects arrived at correct conclusions, which led them to oppose the established texts with stagnant intellects. What made the Jahmiyyah to deny the Perfect Names and Attributes of Allah, if not their erroneous intellects? Similarly, what caused the Mutazilah to reject Allah’s attributes and assert that sinners (who are not guilty of major Shirk and Kufr) would remain in the fire eternally, if not their corrupt intellects? The same applies to their followers who utter this same speech. What led the Khawaarij to declare that those who commit sins are disbelievers – that the sinner is a disbeliever and will remain in the fire forever, except due to their corrupt intellects.

Likewise, this is the case regarding other than them amongst the proponents of Bidah. The intellects which they depend upon destroyed them because they thought that their intellects are safe, sound, good and infallible, whereas that is not the case; rather it is not infallible – commits mistakes a lot. However, they hold a good suspicion of their intellects and an evil suspicion of the texts, thus they were destroyed.

It is obligatory to harbour a good suspicion of the (divine) texts and an evil suspicion of the intellect, and to submit the intellects to the (divine) texts. The (divine) texts are infallible if their chain of transmission are established to be authentic. As for the intellects, they are fallible.

A person is susceptible to mistakes, shortcoming and desires. As for the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, what he conveyed from Allah is infallible. Likewise, the Qur’an is infallible- the speech of Allah. Therefore, it is obligatory that the Qur’an and Sunnah passes a judgement on your intellect and that you give precedence to the Qur’an and Sunnah over your intellect- over the intellect of the Shaikh, the Mashaayikh, your forefathers, ancestors and all the people. The (divine) texts are given precedence over all the intellects. [2]

Allah, The Most High, said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَرْفَعُوا أَصْوَاتَكُمْ فَوْقَ صَوْتِ النَّبِيِّ

O you who believe! Do not put (yourselves) forward before Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah. Verily! Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. O you who believe! Raise not your voices above the voice of the Prophet. [Al-Hujuraat. 1-2]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

When it is the case that Allah forbade (us) from giving precedence to (ourselves) over the Messenger, then which type of giving precedence to oneself over the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, can be more severe than giving precedence to one’s intellect over the revelation he was sent with? Many of the pious predecessors stated (that this Ayah means) “Do not say anything (about the religion) until the Messenger speaks and do not act until he commands you”. The most disobedient person amongst the people and the worst with regards to giving precedence to himself over the Messenger is that one who gives precedence to his intellect or the intellect of another person over the revelation the Messenger was sent with. When it is the case that Allah has forbidden them from raising their voices above the voice of the Messenger, how about raising their intellects above the statements of the Messenger and the revelation he came with?! [3]

Imam Abdul Azeez Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

In this great Surah, there are lofty benefits and rulings. The Muslims are greatly in need of understanding (it), being conscious of it and take benefit from it. In the first part, there is a warning against putting oneself forward before Allah and His Messenger and that which is obligated to the People of Iman is that they are to be followers and not innovators in the religion, and not to put themselves forward before Allah and His Messenger. The people of knowledge say (that this ayah means): “Do not speak until you are commanded by Allah and His Messenger, and do not act until the Messenger acts and legislates; do not put (yourselves) forward before him with either speech or action, (but) be you followers of that which has been prescribed for you and made clear in the (Islamic) legislation. This is the way the people of Iman – they do not innovate acts of worship and rulings in Allah’s Shariah.

وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيم

And fear Allah. Verily! Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing]. Allah hears their statements and nothing is hidden from Him with regards to your state of affairs. He hears the statements of the slaves and He knows their state of affairs. He knows what you do, the truth you utter and other than it- in other words, be mindful of Him and be warned about (disobeying Him) because nothing is hidden from Him. He hears and He knows your state of affairs. Therefore, it is obligated to you to be followers, and not innovators in Allah’s Shariah. [4]

Everyone Is Given Their Share of Intelligence

Imam al-Barbahaaree, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“Intellect is inborn”. Al-Allamah Ahmad Bin Yahyah An-Najmee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Meaning, it [i.e. intellect] is brought forth together with the person, and it develops and increases as he grows. So, the intellect starts as something small, then becomes greater together with its possessor. There is no doubt that the intellects vary based on that which Allah bestowed on every person. And indeed in the Qur’an Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, praised the people of (sound) intellect. [5]

Learning From Childhood Through Experience and Analogy

Al-Allamah Abdur Rahman Bin Yahyah al-Mu’allimee, may Allah have mercy upon him,

It is well known that an individual enters the world devoid of knowledge; however, they possess the inherent capacity to experience sensations such as pain. For instance, when subjected to a pinch, the individual perceives pain as a direct response. This sensation has been present since the moment the soul was instilled within them (refer to footnote a); nonetheless, it does not equate to knowledge. Additionally, there exists an innate disposition that enables the infant to grasp the mother’s breast and engage in suckling.

Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, said:

وَٱللَّهُ أَخۡرَجَكُم مِّنۢ بُطُونِ أُمَّهَـٰتِكُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا

And Allah has brought you out from the wombs of your mothers while you know nothing. [An-Nahl. 78]

Following birth, an individual begins to perceive physical objects through sensory experiences, which progressively enhances through the process of analogy, or the comparison of one entity or circumstance to another. It becomes customary for the mother to lift her child from the cradle when she intends to breastfeed. As this action is repeated, the child comes to understand—through analogy—that being lifted from the cradle signifies the opportunity for breastfeeding. One may observe the child crying when hungry, remaining quiet when removed from the cradle, and then resuming crying if breastfeeding does not occur thereafter. This illustrates how general knowledge is cultivated through the perception of tangible items and the use of analogy, which is further reinforced by repetition. This process can be described as Istiqraa (examination, scrutiny, and extrapolation).

Through the observation of tangible objects and the use of analogy, the fundamental causes are imprinted in both the mind and the heart. This includes the understanding that existence and non-existence cannot coexist, that a whole is greater than its individual parts, and that an event requires a cause to come into being. What is meant is that he perceives either through sensory experience or through analogical reasoning based on sensory input. The intellect engages with tangible items and analogies, evaluating whether a situation is definitively correct, likely, incorrect, or possible. This understanding remains with an individual throughout their life; however, as one matures, acquires knowledge, engages in reasoning, and reflects, their understanding deepens. This growth is facilitated by the multitude of tangible experiences accessible through the senses, enhancing their capacity for analogy and strengthening their intellectual faculties.

When another individual is present in your home, you can ascertain their presence by either observing them or hearing their voice, as well as through tactile sensations or the recognition of their scent. Based on your prior experiences, you come to the conclusion that this entity is indeed a human being; the shape, voice, or the physical object you have interacted with, along with its scent, all indicate a human being. Furthermore, through additional reasoning, you identify this individual as a specific person, recognising that the shape, voice, tangible object, and scent correspond to that particular individual.

You may leave your room unoccupied and return shortly thereafter to discover that an incident has occurred within. From your prior reasoning and intellectual assessment, you deduce that an event must have caused this situation. If you seek to understand the underlying reason, you engage in an investigation based on your earlier deductions. It is possible that a piece of paper has shifted due to a gust of wind. A book may have been placed precariously, and upon observing its fall, you contemplate that its instability, caused by its considerable weight, led it to gradually lean until it ultimately toppled. Furthermore, if an object was suspended by a frail string that eventually broke, you reflect on the fact that due to the weight of the object, its strength weakened until it snapped (completely).

If a container holding food was positioned securely but subsequently fell, one might conclude that a mouse, a cat, or a similar creature had forcefully jumped onto it, causing the fall. In the case where a container of light food was removed from atop a table and relocated to another table at a distance, and a monkey was present in the house or nearby, it could be inferred that the monkey was the cause of the movement. Furthermore, if a heavy box was initially placed on the ground but later found in a different location, one would likely assume that a person had entered and moved it, recognising that this individual is alive and capable of such an action. Lastly, if multiple items within a room were rearranged from their original positions into a more organised and aesthetically pleasing arrangement, it would indicate that the individual responsible possesses a level of wisdom commensurate with the skills necessary to achieve such an arrangement.

If the room was secured from within, and you approached the door, fully aware that no one could have entered after your arrival, yet upon your return, you discovered that the luggage had been rearranged in a manner that was more imaginative and refined than its previous state; you would then consider one of two scenarios: either there exists an individual with capabilities that surpass the ordinary, who managed to enter the room through an unconventional means; or there is a being present, alive, knowledgeable, and possessing wisdom that exceeds that of any human or other species you have encountered. Thus, you came to recognise this being’s existence by drawing parallels with the existence of tangible entities that can be sensed, as well as by comprehending the qualities associated with it. [6]

The Intellect Is Not The Basis Through Which Right and Wrong Are Determined

Ahmad Ibn Aasim Al-Antaaki, may Allah have mercy upon him, said,

“The most beneficial intellect is the one that makes you acknowledge the blessings Allah, aids you to be grateful and oppose (evil) desires”. [7]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“Everyone with a modicum of (sound) intellect knows that the corruption of the world and its ruin occurs due to giving precedence to opinion over the divine revelation and (evil) desires over sound intellect. These two corrupt motives are not entrenched in a heart except that its destruction becomes inevitable nor in a nation except that its affairs are completely corrupted”. [8]

Footnote a: https://islamtees.uk/2022/01/09/video-atheism-causes-and-cures-by-ustadh-abu-iyaad-amjad-rafiq/

[1] An Excerpt from ‘As-Sawaa’iq Al-Mursalah 1/371-372

[2]https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/28730/%D9%8A%D8%AC%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7-%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%B9%D9%82%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%84-%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B5. Paraphrased]

[3] An Excerpt from Al-Wabil As-Sayyib’ page 21

[4] An Excerpt from Al-Fawaa-id al-Ilmiyyah Min Ad-Durar Al-Baaziyyah 4/391-392 Publisher: Dar Ar-Risaalah 1st ed 1430AH (Year 2009

[5] Irshaad As-Saaree Fee Sharh as-Sunnah Lil-Barbahaaree. 155. Daarul Minhaaj 1430AH (2009)]

[6] Aathaar Ash-Shaikh Al-Allaamah Abdur Rahmaan Bin Yahyah Al-Mu’allimee. 5/7-11

[7] Seerah As-Salaf As-Saaliheen. 1/1073. Chapter: A mention of the At’baa at-Taabi’een

[8] I’lam Al-Muwaqqi’een 1/67-69