Reason and Perception

A Muslim:-

In a book entitled "Dialogue with an Atheist" a Hadith Qudsi is quoted which states:-

"Allah says: It is I who aids in proving and finding, there is no proof leading to Me"

Another Muslim:-

This is a most amazing Hadith if it is valid. It says in black and white that the normal process of 'reasoning' is blocked from reaching Allah. So while Allah is most evident, this blockage also makes Allah most hidden.

Comment:-

I was not aware of this Hadith Qudsi, but it is perfectly consistent with the Quran.

I am surprised that people should find it difficult to understand.

The Quran constantly points out that it is Allah who creates perception and faith. And as has been pointed out on several occasions, the Quran tells us that "The Quran is an inspiration in the hearts of believers."

Reason can only be applied to the created world, the world of multiplicity and relationships between them. It is dependant on previous assumptions and on sensory perception. One starts with certain categories of thoughts or concepts that depend on the nature of the mind (such as the notions of quality, quantity, relation, energy, cause, time space etc. In Islam the attributes of Allah provide this) and with certain axioms (such as “Either A or not-A”), and certain premises that depend on direct experience. And then one combines the premises to draw a conclusion. For example:-

(1) All men are mortal. (2) John is a man (3) Therefore, John is mortal.

The premises (1) and (2) are not derived from reason. In fact, they are not derived only from experience either but from definitions. e.g. the words mortal and man and even John refer to certain sets of impressions. We do not know "All men" so we can only say that all men are mortal if we define these terms with respect to each other. If we should come across a person who is not mortal then we would not call him a man but something else e.g. a god. Or we would change the definition of man so that mortality is not a necessary characteristic of man.

It need hardly be pointed out that it is definitions that set a limit to what people, including scientists, think is true. For instance, human beings are defined as purely physical entities in some circles. In others they are defined in terms of mental faculties and in others they are defined as spiritual entities that have consciousness, conscience and will.

There is a difference between action and perception (awareness, consciousness). Perception requires receptivity and this is often interfered with by activities such as imagination. Reason is an activity whereas knowledge requires receptivity. It is well known that meditation requires the suspension of thought and that thinking destroys meditation.

It has also been pointed out "ad nauseum" on this very site that thinking requires motives and that reason will go where ever motives lead. This is because we can define the terms as we like, construct premises as we like, and select and combine suitable premises to reach the inference we wish. This is why reason is good for solving problems. That is what it has evolved for. It does not assure knowledge, especially if we do not wish to see, or we look in the wrong direction. In fact, reason is a means, not an end. The purpose of reasoning is to produce belief and the purpose of belief is lead to actions that will benefit the person and facilitate his welfare and development. That is the goal. But reason does not always create belief. There are also other methods of establishing belief. Belief may be false and lead to harmful results. The real goal should be correct faith - correct belief that is beneficial, true perception.

Islam, Surrender to Allah, most certainly requires the suspension of ego activity of all kinds. However it also implies a relationship with Allah and obedience to Allah, which requires striving. This is an activity. These other two states however only follow the first which is more fundamental. They (a) derive from Surrender, (b) are meant to lead us to surrender and (c) are also an aspect of surrender. It is not the striving that is the goal and it does not transform. It has a function similar to repairing and tuning a radio or healing so that the broadcast program can be received and manifested.

The order of priority for knowledge is:- (1) Reality (2) Experience through interaction (3) Perception (consciousness) (4) Reasoning (5) Assimilation (6) Motivation (7) Action. (8) Transformation of both the environment and the person.

According to some Scientists that given the laws and processes on which the Universe is based there remains no room for the concept of God. However, apart from the fact that we do not know how the Universe originated and the Uncertainty Principle that underlies physical phenomena, we also want to know why the Universe conforms to the laws. As science depends on certain ways of thinking and method, we also want to know what validates these. There is certainly an ultimate mystery underlying existence which is the origin and cause of all things. We call this Allah. Reality is much greater than our knowledge.

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