The Relationship Between Reason and Faith in the Kur’an

The Qur’an ascribes a particular importance to reason in relation to true faith. According to the Qur’an the heart is the locus of faith, however, what is referred to as the heart is what we know as the intellect. The Qur’an, and therefore Islam, gives special emphasis to the function of the intellect on the way that leads to faith. The Qur’an asks us to use our intellects in order to attain faith, especially paying attention to creation, to the universe, and to the events that take place within the universe. Knowledge of God’s being and oneness, and therefore true faith is only properly attained in this way. It is essentially reason that allows us to arrive at knowledge of what is good and true and what is wrong and evil. Therefore, according to the Qur’an and Islam, reason is a necessary component for faith.