CRITICAL THINKING IN THE QUR’AN An Analytical, Epistemological, and Educational Study

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive investigation into critical thinking as an integral intellectual and moral practice embedded within the Qur’anic worldview. Contrary to dominant narratives that frame critical thinking exclusively as a product of Enlightenment rationalism or secular Greek philosophy, this research argues that the Qur’an establishes a mandatory framework for rational inquiry through the concepts of taʿaqqul (reasoning), tafakkur (reflection), tadabbur (deep contemplation), and tafaqquh (systematic understanding). Using a qualitative methodology that combines textual analysis of Qur’anic verses, classical tafsīr (exegesis), and comparative philosophical inquiry, the paper demonstrates that the Qur’an presents a holistic model of critical thinking. Unlike secular models that prioritize skepticism and individual autonomy, the Qur’anic paradigm integrates logical rigor with ethical responsibility (taqwā) and spiritual awareness, positioning reason as a "teleological" tool for uncovering truth. Furthermore, the study examines the epistemological boundaries placed on human reason—such as the requirement for evidence (burhān) and the rejection of intellectual arrogance—and explores the implications of this framework for modern Islamic education. The findings suggest that reviving this intellectual tradition is essential for countering dogmatism and stagnation in contemporary Muslim societies, offering a bridge for dialogue between religious and secular intellectual traditions.