THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN REASON AND FAITH IN ISLAMIC THEOLOGY

The relationship between reason and faith, as one of the main discussion of religions and theological systems, is considered to be paralel to the rational justification of revelation. It has been one of the most important problems that determines the process of theological construction. There can be mentioned three forms of justification in the context of the relationship between reason and faith in Islamic theology. The first of these forms adopted by Salafis based on(Quran and sunna)naql. This justification form can be thought as a kind of intellectual pasivity. Salafi scholars believed that the Quran end the Suna contain all the religious guidance necessary for our salvation in the hereafter. Thus they rejected the arguments and ideas of both rationalist theologians and philosophers. The second justification form accepted by Mutakallims is mainly focused on faith as a mental and cognitive phenomenon. Kalam and theological discourse generally dealt either with attempting to justify faith to reason or with employing reson to draw new conclusions from faith and religious beliefs. In the third justification form is described as acts of heart emphasized to the emotion and morality dimension of faith.