Reason is an important faculty of comprehension that enables a person to distinguish right from wrong, correctly assess the events he encounters and arrive at accurate conclusions. Yet what truly matters for a person is not merely possessing reason, but being able to use this blessing correctly. That is because the correct use of intellect is not achieved merely by thinking a great deal or possessing a great deal of information. When a person does not direct his intellect correctly, he may be swept along by the thoughts that occur to him and the events he encounters, and gradually lose sight of the truly important matters.
Therefore, one of the important points a person needs to reflect on is how to use his reason in the right direction. Reason acquires true value when it leads a person to correct conclusions. One of the most important conditions for this is the strong and uninterrupted connection a person establishes with God. That is because the attachment to God is one of the fundamental elements that determine a person’s outlook, the manner in which he evaluates events and the direction he will follow throughout his life.
True Reason Lies Behind Positive Thinking
Being a person with reason does not merely mean thinking a great deal or rapidly evaluating the events one encounters. What truly matters is being able to assess the available information correctly, conducting research when necessary and distinguishing right from wrong. A person who uses his intellect in this way approaches events from a positive and constructive perspective.
Therefore, thinking positively does not mean accepting everything one encounters without question or ignoring what is wrong. On the contrary, thinking positively at all times is not naivety, but acting with reason. Recognizing a falsehood, exposing an attempt intended to mislead people or seeing the unreality of an erroneous idea are also results of positive thinking.
For example, realizing that certain people are trying to mislead others or exposing the unreality of false ideologies such as Darwinism, Communism and Fascism is a requirement of an approach based on reason. A person with reason is not someone who accepts everything he encounters as it is, but someone who thinks, researches and can distinguish right from wrong.
The only quality that grants a person such understanding is faith. God grants those who have faith and fear Him a special understanding with which they can distinguish right from wrong. This fact described as criterion is revealed in the Qur’an as follows:
“You who believe! If you fear God, He will give you a criterion (by which to judge between right and wrong) and erase your bad actions from you and forgive you. God's favor is indeed immense.” (Surat al-Anfal, 29)
Knowing That Everything God Does Is For the Good
For a person of faith, one of the important signs of using his intellect correctly is maintaining his trust in God in every event he encounters. That is because it is possible for a person to encounter many events in his daily life that could shake his trust in God. What matters is never forgetting, in the face of these events, that everything God does is for the good.
A headache, tiredness, lacking sufficient strength, hearing unpleasant words from someone, failing in a matter or encountering any setback are among the situations a person may experience in his daily life. At such moments, thoughts such as - surely God is beyond that - “Why did God do this?” may occur to a person. Yet every one of these is part of a person’s trial. These events, which may sometimes appear to be difficulties, are tests created by God in such a way as to strengthen that person’s love and devotion to Him.
Therefore, turning toward ingratitude, perverse thoughts and negativity in such situations would be a grave lack of reason. A person who knows that everything God does is for the good does not judge an event solely according to its outward appearance and never loses his trust in God. Indeed, God reveals:
“God does not impose on any self any more than it can stand...” (Surat al-Baqara, 286)
When a person knows this truth, he regards every trial he encounters as a means of strengthening his trust in God. No matter what event he experiences, he maintains the strong connection he has established with God.
Reasoning Is Not Impaired in the Face of a Test
Particularly when a person encounters a troubling event, he may quickly arrive at a judgment about the situation he is experiencing. Yet person of reason does not imagine that he is far removed from God’s love merely by looking at the outward appearance of the event.
Loving God and trusting in Him do not mean that a person will encounter no difficulties. The life of this world is a place of testing, and the believer will come across various difficulties. Servants whom God loves have also undergone very severe trials. The tests described in the lives of the prophets and the martyrdoms of Hazrat Hamza (pbuh) and Hazrat Ali (pbuh) are clear examples of this. Therefore, facing difficulties does not signify that one is distant from God’s love and mercy.
What a believer should truly pay attention to is not the removal of the difficulty, but being able to preserve his ability to think correctly in the face of it. No matter how difficult an event may appear, a wise person does not judge it merely by what is outwardly apparent. Rather, he considers how he should respond to the situation. In this way, he does not allow the test itself to lead him to a mistaken conclusion.
Indeed, God reveals:
“He gives wisdom to whoever He wills and he who has been given wisdom has been given great good. But no one pays heed but people of intelligence.” (Surat al-Baqara, 269)
Trust in God Brings Peace of Mind
It is inevitable that various thoughts will occur to a person. However, when a person attaches importance to and dwells on every one of these thoughts, he may come under the influence of unnecessary concerns. At this point, trust in God helps a person keep his mind free of unnecessary concerns and assess events more accurately. A person who trusts in God does not attach importance to every thought that occurs to him; he knows that true protection comes from God.
Preserving this sense of confidence that submission to our Lord gives a person is possible through resolute faith and the care shown in trusting Him. When a person has difficulty placing his trust in God, he should reflect once again that God is sufficient for him and choose to trust in Him rather than relying solely on his own strength. That is because when a person truly puts his trust in God, he is not crushed beneath the weight of events; he can assess the situations he encounters in a calmer and sounder manner.
It is revealed in the Qur’an that God will be sufficient for the servant who places his trust in Him:
“And provide for him from where he does not expect. Whoever puts his trust in God – He will be enough for him. God always achieves His aim. God has appointed a measure for all things.” (Surat at-Talaq, 3)
When a person truly comprehends the meaning of this verse, he knows that he is not alone in the face of events and experiences the peace of trusting in God.
Reason Must Not Be Left Uncontrolled
A person does not have to pay attention to or dwell at length on every thought that occurs to him. That is because, as the mind dwells on a thought, it is inclined to magnify it and combine it with other thoughts. A remark that occupies the mind, a minor setback or something someone has done may acquire more importance than necessary.
Therefore, a person needs to control both his attention and his thoughts, and know what to take into account and what to dismiss from his mind. Particularly in an environment in which people are experiencing great suffering and Muslims are being oppressed and martyred, it is not right for a person to occupy himself excessively with his own minor concerns. He needs to possess a broader perspective and turn toward what is truly important.
The More Virtuous One’s Character, the Sharper the Intellect
There is a very close connection between moral character and the intellect. The refinement of a person’s moral character helps bring clarity to his intellect and enables him to assess events more accurately. In particular, freeing oneself from egotism and selfishness prevents a person from viewing matters solely from his own perspective and enables him to consider events from a broader and more objective point of view.
Therefore, a person needs to abandon emotionalism and romanticism and act with reason in accordance with the Qur’an. That is because so long as a person remains centered on his own emotions and desires, he cannot assess events as he should. A person who frees himself from selfishness, on the other hand, does not withdraw into his own minor concerns; he views events from a broader perspective and uses his intellect more correctly.
Conclusion: There Is a Strong Connection Between Reason and the Qur’an
The intellect and the Qur’an cannot be considered separately from one another. In order to use his intellect correctly in the truest sense, a person should follow the path shown by the Qur’an. For the Qur’an enables a person to assess events correctly and to build his life upon a sound understanding. Therefore, the connection between reason and the Qur’an is of great importance in enabling a person to discern the truth.
Maintaining a strong connection with God is also an inseparable part of this whole. When a believer lives by keeping God in mind, knowing His greatness and trusting in Him, he finds true peace. A person who abides by the Qur’an, loves God and constantly keeps Him in mind uses his reason correctly and leads his life in accordance with the measures shown by God. Our Lord reveals this truth as follows:
“Those who believe and whose hearts find peace in the remembrance of God. Only in the remembrance of God can the heart find peace.” (Surat ar-Ra`d, 28)
