Epistemological Framework and Intellectual Nexus: Dissecting the Role of the Quran, Sunnah, and Reason in the Development of Islamic Sciences

Abstract

The connection between the Quran, the Sunnah, and human reason is the main emphasis of this paper's exploration of the epistemological framework that has guided the developments of Islamic sciences. The Quran is the source of the Islamic concept of knowledge, which includes perception, altruism, and wisdom. Knowledge-seeking was prioritized throughout the historical "Golden Age of Islamic Civilization" between the seventh and sixteenth centuries, which led to substantial developments in several fields. This study's technique is descriptive and theoretical, and it examines earlier works on the role of the Quran, Sunnah, and reason in advancing Islamic sciences. Instead of imposing Islamic norms directly on secular fields, efforts are being made to assimilate Islamic ethical and Monotheistic concepts into modern thought. This process is known as "Islamization of knowledge." It aims to combine religious and scholarly knowledge, enabling Muslims to pursue academic goals while upholding their moral principles. The Quran was a significant influence on Islamic sciences. The Quran impacted several disciplines, including astronomy, environmental sciences, medicine, and the transmission of knowledge. The paper also discusses how Islamic thinking reconciles reason and intelligence. The faculty that links humanity to God and bestows upon them the attribute of knowledge -which ultimately belongs to God alone- is referred to in Arabic as ‘aql, which encompasses intellect and reason. To sum up, the epistemological foundation of Islamic sciences is based on the Qur'an, Sunnah, and human reason. The development of Islamic sciences has significantly benefited from the Quran's influence on knowledge acquisition and its promotion of scientific inquiry. A critical factor in forming the intellectual heritage has been the Sunnah's preservation and the importance of the Sunnah in various Islamic disciplines. Islamic thought's multifaceted approach to knowledge acquisition and its historical development can be better understood by appreciating the relationship between these pillars of knowledge.