SKEPTICISM ABOUT THE STATUS OF INTELLECT IN MONOTHEISTIC THEOLOGY

This article discusses the position of reason in theology from the standpoint of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) and explains the difference between Tauhid (monotheism) and Ma’refatof Allah. Based on the hadiths of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.), the author considers man to be duty-bound to monotheism, but considers Allah’s Ma’refat to be the creation of the Almighty Allah. With the help of reason, one becomes mindful of the Creator;one whose intrinsic nature is tied with Almighty Allah’s Ma’refat, the Ma’refat which He has bestowed on him. This Ma’refat is a kind of mystifying one, which means that human beings remain perplexed as to who and what is this Creator. Besides, there can be no description of Him except what He himself has described andunderstanding this too is merely an aspect oftanzih (attributing inviolability of transcendence).

Keywords:

Intellect , Tauhid (monotheism) , Ma’refatof Allah (inner knowledge and awareness of Allah) , معرفت فطری(innate Ma’refat) , خروج از حدین(exit from the two limits)