Who are the people who are devoid of reason? Is it appropriate to say this? Who says this? Whosoever says this: does he qualify to say like this? Who are those people who are designated as devoid of reason? Is it not surprising to read this kind of comment? But this phrase has appeared several times and on several occasions in the Qur’ān.
It is said by Allah Who makes claims that He is All-Knowledgeable, All-Knowing, All-Aware, Has Full-Knowledge of Everything and All-Wise. Look at the phrases such as: most people do not know [34: 28], Have you no sense? [2: 44].
According to the Qur’ān, there are a good number of people in the world who are devoid of reason, about whom Allah says: “They are like him who kindle a fire, and when it lit up all around him, Allah took away the sight of their perception and left them in utter darkness where they can see nothing” [2: 17].
How many of us know the purpose of ourcreation? Allah, for example, asked us to serve Him by way of obeying Him in our life through His guidance. Allah said: “O mankind, serve your Lord Who has created you as well as those before you; do so that you are saved.” [2:21] Are we able to understand this? If not, it means we are devoid of reason. Is there anything in this world without any purpose? If everything has some purpose then how come we have no purpose, higher purpose in our life.
Allah asked us: “Do not then, set up rivals to Allah when you know the Truth.” [2:22] Again, how many of us know who the ones are who are rivals to Allah. Are we able to deny the rivals? Do we have a clear understanding of rivals to Allah? Are we not devoid of reason?
Allah made it clear to us that He is our Creator: “How can you be ungrateful to Allah Who bestowed life upon you when you were lifeless, then He will cause you to die and will again bring you back to life so that you will be returned to Him.” [2:28] Are we grateful to Allah? Do we know that there will be another life after our death? If we are not grateful to Allah and do not remember about the life after death, then are we not devoid of reason?
It is Allah Who created for us all that is on earth… [2: 29] so that we can spend our life comfortably.… Allah said: “Did I not say to you that I know everything about the heavens and the earth which are beyond your range of knowledge, and I know all that you disclose and all that you hide.” [2: 33] Are we aware of this truth? If not, are we devoid of reason?
Fear the Day when no one shall avail another, when no intercession will be accepted, when no one will be ransomed, and no criminal will receive any help [2: 48]. Are we careful about the Day of Judgement?If not, aren’t we devoid of reason?
Allah out of His Mercy informed us about the Truth and Reality of life and the world. He said: “Are they unaware that Allah knows all that they hide and all that they disclose?” [2: 77] Still, we give wrong witness and judgements in the court of justice and tell lies frequently. This is not the sign that we are devoid of reason. Allah declared: “… The truth is that most of them do not truly understand.” [2: 100] He further reminded us: “Are you not aware that Allah is All-Powerful? Are you not aware that the dominion of the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah?” [2: 106-107] We still think in terms of power and hegemony. This is not the indicator that we are being devoid of reason.
Allah made it explicit to all human beings: “Whatever good deeds you send forth for your own good, you will find them with Allah. Surely Allah sees all that you do.” [2: 110] Do we remember all this?If not, aren’t we devoid of reason?
Do we know beyond any doubt that “Allah is the Originator of the heavens and the earth; whenever He decrees a matter, He merely says: “Be”, and it is.” [2: 117] If we do not know the truth of this statement, then it means we are devoid of reason. Allah said: “Should you follow their desires disregarding the knowledge which has come to you….” [2: 120] Are we taking seriously the knowledge which is revealed to us for our guidance and planning life and society accordingly. If not, surely, we are devoid of reason.
Look at the greatness of Allah Who, despite even his denial He Sustains our life on earth. He said: “And I shall still provide him who denies the Truth with the wherewithal for this short life, and then I shall drive him to the chastisement of the Fire; that is an evil end.” [2: 126] In spite of clear injection, we follow our desires instead of reason and knowledge and prove we are devoid of reason. Allah questions us: “Were you to follow their desires in disregard of the knowledge which has come to you, you will surely be reckoned among the wrongdoers.” [2: 145]
We neglect, out of our ignorance and arrogance, reason and knowledge and follow false ideas and concepts. Although, Allah guided us to the Right Way [2: 150]. Look at the following statement: “To guide those who use their reason [to this Truth] there are many Signs in the structure of the heavens and the earth, in the constant alternation of night and day, in the vessels which spread across the sea carrying goods that are of profit to people, in the water which Allah sends down from the sky and thereby quickens the earth after it was dead, and disperse over it all manner of animals, and in the changing course of the winds and the clouds pressed into service between heaven and earth.” [2: 164] Have we pondered over Signs?If not then we are devoid of reason.
Another example of unreasonable attitude: And when they are told: “Follow what Allah has revealed,” they say: “No, we shall follow what we found our forefathers adhering to. What! Even if their forefathers were devoid of understanding and right guidance?” [2: 170] We do not take any heed and insist on blind following: “Those who have refused to follow the Way of Allah resemble cattle; when the shepherd calls them, they hear nothing except shouting and crying; they are deaf, dumb and blind, and so they understand nothing” [2: 171]. All this is the sign of being devoid of reason.
“This is so because Allah revealed the Book with the Truth, but those who disagreed concerning the Book veered far away from the Truth.” [2: 176]. … Thus does Allah make His Signs clear to mankind that they may stay away from evil [2: 187]; … Allah calls you, by His leave, towards Paradise and forgiveness; and He makes His injunctions clear to people so that they may take heed [2: 221]; … but take heed of your ultimate future and avoid incurring the wrath of Allah.
Know well that one Day you shall face Him… [2: 223]; … Know well that Allah knows even what is in your hearts. So, have fear of Him and know well that Allah is All-Forgiving, All-Forbearing [2: 235]; … And forget not to act gracefully with one another, for indeed Allah sees all that you do [2: 237]; Thus, Allah makes His injunctions clear to you that you may understand. [2: 242]
There are many reminders for those who can make use of reason: Indeed, Allah is Bounteous to mankind; but most people do not give thanks in return [2: 243]; But Allah is Bounteous to the people of the world [2: 251]; Thus does Allah make His teachings clear to you that you may reflect [2: 266]. Even it is He Who “grants wisdom to those whom He wills; and whoever is granted wisdom has indeed been granted much good. Yet none except people of understanding take heed.” [2: 269] He also warns us: “And have fear of the Day when you shall return to Allah, and every human being shall be fully repaid for whatever [good or evil] he has done, and none shall be wronged.” [2: 281] It is now up to us to understand the truth and reality.
We are told clearly that Allah is All-Powerful, All-Wise. He knows everything we do: “All that is in the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah. Whether you disclose whatever is in your hearts or conceal it, Allah will call you to account for it, and will then forgive whomsoever He wills, and will chastise whomsoever He wills. Allah has power over everything;” [2: 284] Allah, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting, Who sustains the entire order of the Universe – there is no god but He [3: 2]; He has revealed this Book to you, setting forth the Truth and confirming the earlier Books, and He revealed the Torah and the Gospel before that for the guidance of mankind; and He has also revealed the Criterion [to distinguish the Truth from falsehood]. [3: 3-4] Are we aware of all the above or devoid of reason?
We must remember: “Nothing in the earth and in the heavens is hidden from Allah. It is He Who fashions you in the wombs as He wills. There is no god but He, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise [3: 5-6]; … But those firmly rooted in knowledge say: “We believe [understand] in it; it is all from our Lord.” No one derives true admonition from anything except the people of understanding [3: 7]; … In this there is surely a lesson for all those who have discerning eyes [3: 13].