This is a graphic description of the degradation of man when he
does not press reason to his service. Such a man, the Qur'an tells us,
not only lives a worthless and debased life in this world but also
renders himself unfit to live in the higher plane on which he enters
after death:
There are many a people, both among the civilized and the nomadic
tribes, who lead such a life as makes it obvious that they are meant for
hell (7:179).
It is so, because, as-the Qur'an puts it:
They have hearts with which they discern not, and they have eyes with
which they see not, and they have ears with which they hear not; these
are as the cattle-nay are worse; they are the heedless (7:179).
The point is again emphasized in the chapter entitled the Furqaan.
The Rasool is addressed in the following words:
Do you think that most of them hear or have sense? They are but as
the cattle nay but they are farther astray (25:44),
The denizens of Hell are consumed with remorse because they had
possessed understanding but did not use it to any purpose:
Had we been wont to listen or have sense we had not been among the
dwellers in flame (67:10).
In the chapter entitled Yaaseen, they are again reminded of their
sinful negligence of their duty to use their understanding:
And yet Shaitaan has led astray of you a great multitude. Had ye then a
sense. This is the Jahannam with which ye were threatened (if ye did not
use your sense and follow him blindly) (36:62-63).
It is clear, therefore, that Islam is no enemy of reason and does
not regard it as a hindrance to "spiritual" progress. It will be
worthwhile to consider the role that the Qur'an assigns to reason
both in the "secular" and the " spiritual" spheres.
III. Reason and Faith (Eiman) – The Qur'anic ViewIn the Qur'an, human reason is repeatedly extolled. As already
stated, the birth of reason in man is referred to as marking a "new
creation." It is clearly stated that even Divine Revelation is not to be
accepted un-questioningly and uncritically. Man is exhorted to
ponder and reflect over it and interpret it in the light of his reason.
"Will they not ponder over the Qur'an?" (4:82). Men who find
thinking irksome are described in these words:
Islam: A Challenge to Religion 112