Understanding the Theme of Proofs in Quran
A Thematic Interpretation of the Quran - 7

Dr. Jasser Auda
26 June, 2020

The major theme of the Quran that we are going to talk about now is not a usual theme that people address. I thought though it is important to introduce so that we are aware of that theme of the Quran and internalize it, think about it, and study it further obviously. It’s the theme of proofs (hujaj or baraheen).

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How does the Quran prove something?

What is the logic?

What is the reasoning methodology of the Quran?

This is very important because often times we lack this kind of thinking; and we often times follow reasoning methodologies that are false, or what we call “logical fallacies”.

The Quran also addresses a number of those and is telling us what is a logical fallacy versus what is the sound and proper reasoning.

It is very important because the lack of reasoning and the lack of the reference to the logic of the Quran causes intellectual problems sometimes. Intellectual problems are not just philosophical; they have an impact on how people think and, therefore, how people act and react to what they see.

How to establish truth?

What kind of reasoning do you follow?

Usually, we follow the causal reasoning (or “al-asbab” in the Quran). The reason or cause is something that impacts reality and causes reality to change. Allah tells us a lot about that in the Quran: how the water He sent so that the plants could happen:

… and We produce thereby the growth of all things. (Quran 6:99)

Some Muslim philosophers thought that causality does not exist and that it is Allah who brings forth everything, and causes are separate from impacts. This is a kind of philosophical theory that is not really supported by the Quran because the Quran says:

“With it, We bring forth plantation”. And fire does cause burning.

The Quran though balances the causality thinking with teleological thinking, the teleology logic, or the purposefulness. So there is nothing in the Quran that Allah is telling us is a reason for something unless He tells us the purpose of that reason.

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Allah sent the water so that plantations could grow so that you could have benefits, and so that you could thank Allah, so that you might remember the sequence of events that brought you to where you are and so forth.

So, reality in the Quran is logically driven by two forces:

1- The force of causes from the past

2- The force of purpose in the future.

Obviously, people who are busy with logical philosophy debate teleology versus causality, and now of course, the status quo today is causality in science and so forth. But if we think about the universal laws, and these are purposes, they are ends; these major laws that Allah created the universe with are also ends that the universe is pushed towards.

Multidimensionality vs. Linear Thinking
In the logic of the Quran, Allah is teaching us what we call in today’s logical language “multidimensionality of logic”. Logic is not just linear cause and effect, but there are multiple causes and multiple effects.

This multidimensionality is very important when you look at anything. Allah is telling us about the historical events, for example, not just in a cause and effect manner, but the different dimensions of the historical event, the different dimensions of the natural events so that when we look at an event, we analyze it comprehensively and we don’t think linearly.

The linear thinking is a very simplistic thinking that yes you can read in the Quran, but the reflection about the logic of the Quran would show you the multidimensionality we’re talking about.

The Quran, through multidimensionality balances those contradictions that philosophers always argue between universality and particularism, between causality and teleology, between all of these contradictory views and interpretations of the logical structure of the universe that the Quran beautifully integrates all in a holistic and integrative approach.

Networks vs. Lines
The logical relationships in the Quran are networks rather than lines. Every meaning, every story, every personality, every event in nature or socially is connected to a network of events and a network of meanings.

The structure of the logical framework of the Quran is really a network structure. Perhaps this is impacted by how networks are very powerful in today’s logical structures. This view of mine doesn’t come from nowhere, it comes from a background of science and philosophy and so forth.

Understanding the Theme of Proofs in Quran - About Islam
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The networks relations in the Quran are very important. This is very important so that we sophisticate our interpretation a little bit. It is not just one verse or a half a verse, or this word or that word that will bring that rule or that understanding; it’s actually all the verses that are related.

And if you reflect deeply, you’ll find that all the Quran is related to any question that you mention because of this web of meanings that are connected and interconnected. It’s very important in the logical framework of reasoning.

Logical Fallacies
The Quran also teaches us about the logical fallacies so that we avoid them in our lives and that we understand them when we see them. They are usually taught through the

stories of the tyrants in human history and how they used these fallacies for power and for authority that they claim falsely based on the false logic or the false claims.

A false causality, for example, when the Pharaoh accused Moses (peace be upon him) of being the reason behind all the calamities that had befallen them. But the calamities had befallen them because of their injustice, and because of killing innocent children, and because of the corruption on earth that Allah told us about.

It’s not because of Moses. Moses came to change that reality, but they do this false causality fallacy.

Personal Attacks
The Pharaoh told Moses, “You don’t even speak in our accent, you can’t even speak well like the others.”

That is a personal attack through which the Pharaoh tried to establish a certain logic, a certain authority, therefore your message is not true, or therefore you’re a liar… But this is not a proper reasoning because personal attacks do not change the true arguments.

Fame of Ideas
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It is a fallacy that the Quran tells us in many contexts in which people say, “because our forefathers didn’t believe in that, then it’s false”. Or “because most people didn’t believe in it and don’t see it this way, then it is false.”

Allah is telling us that most people do not believe, most people are not true in faith, and most people will lead you astray if you follow them… Therefore, the majority here is a good idea perhaps in politics to make some choice of leadership without conflicts in the society.

But the truth is not a democratic practice. Truth is according to argument and the logic of the argument. And the logic of the argument has to be true and has to be coming out of faith in the core of it so that it’s true, and not in the fame of ideas kind of the logic of how many likes, and how many views…

Unfortunately, social media has caused us a lot of support for the fallacy of the fame of ideas; but the fame of ideas is not a proof in terms of the logical truth in the Quran.

Power of Authority
This is another fallacy that people because of the authority places they have, they claim that what they speak is truth. But truth could come from people who have no authority, people who have no wealth… but they bring truth because they have a logical argument that is based on truth.

And the core of all truths is Allah, and the arguments that He made in the Quran are the true arguments upon which we should evaluate other arguments, otherwise we are talking about fallacies.

6 Tips to Strengthen Children’s Connection to Quran

Sara Hassanien
24 June, 2020
Staying connected with God on a daily basis is an essential need for every Muslim. This chord gives us assurance, comforts our hearts and prevents us from sinning. There is nothing that brings us closer to Allah than the Noble Qur’an.

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It happens very often that it feels as if Allah is talking to us or answering a question we’ve been pondering once we start reading through His verses and meanings.

This is not a coincidence! Reading Qur’an enables us to get closer to Allah and follow His path.

There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book. By which Allah guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from darknesses into the light, by His permission, and guides them to a straight path .” (Al-Ma’idah 5:15)

I cannot stress enough how important it is for us to foster this channel for our children. Of course, like many other things in life, this sounds easy to say but hard to do.

That’s why we should start with small steps towards our bigger goals in order to ensure commitment and discipline.

6 Tips to Strengthen Children’s Connection to Qur’an
1 – Show by example:
Children learn by imitating the behaviors they see. If you read the Qur’an regularly in front of your kids, then chances are they will do the same thing by default.

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2 – It all starts with listening:
Research shows that babies are affected by the sounds in their environment. So if a baby hears Qur’an verses regularly, they will grow accustomed to its sounds and will naturally love hearing more of it.

3 – Competition appeals to kids:
It is always a good idea to encourage our kids to participate in contests and activities that focus on reading and reciting the Qur’an with some basic understanding of its main themes and values.

Young learners thrive on positive feedback and words that lift them up. Parents can also sign pacts with their kids and promise them good rewards if they do their best.

6 Tips to Strengthen Children’s Connection to Quran - About Islam
4 – Let them have their own Mus’haf :
Another thing parents can do is give each child a mus’haf— their own beautiful copy of the Qur’an. This gives them a sense of privacy and ownership. This can boost children’s desire to keep in touch with the book while they grow up.

5 – For various situations that require parenting, use a verse as proof:
We often ask our kids to clean up their rooms, make their own beds or put their toys away. We reprimand them if they fight with each other. We are also keen on teaching them values, such as honesty, respect, humility, and love.

In doing so, let’s not forget that the Qur’an is full of verses that condone all values we’ve ever hoped to pass down to our kids. We parents can quote verses from the Qur’an that support the moral we are trying to teach our children.

For instance, when Allah asks Isa (peace be upon him) whether he told the Christians that he was God, Isa tells the truth after he acknowledges Allah’s omniscience. Allah praises Isa and says:

This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness. For them are gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them, and they with Him. That is the great attainment.” (Al-Ma’idah 5:119)

When our children choose to tell the truth, we can remind them of this story and quote the verse.

6 – Storytelling:
The Qur’an is full of stories that appeal to kids’ senses and imagination. Several animals are involved in the stories of the Qur’an and since children especially love animals, we can use these stories to help them feel attached to the Qur’an and learn from it.

There is the story of Abraha’s elephant, the dogs and the youth in the cave, the camel, Yunis’s whale, Kabeel’s crow, Soleiman’s ants and hoopoe, and more. Read your children illustrated children’s books of these stories and you will see their connection grow.

The main legacy we wish to leave our kids when we are gone is to keep the faith and to walk on the straight and narrow path of Allah for as long as they live. We cannot achieve that goal as long as we abandon the Qur’an. Start establishing a special bond between yourself, your children and the Qur’an now, regardless of how young they are.