HUMANS AND THE INTELLECT

This is a powerful and philosophical essay titled "Humans and the Intellect" (Mutane da Hankali). It is written in Hausa and translated into English, with minor changes for greater clarity and compatibility with the modern world.






Humans and the Intellect

Section 01

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon the Leader and Guide, his family, and his companions, Sallalahu Alaihi Wa Sallam.


Intellect (Hankali) is the greatest gift Allah has bestowed upon human beings. This is not because He did not give it to other creatures, but because the way humans use their intellect is vastly different from how other creatures use theirs.

This difference originates from the fact that human thought is guided by the Shari'a (Divine Law) brought by the Messengers. Consequently, humans can excel in every virtuous character trait to the highest degree.

Some might argue that humans possessed intellect even before the Shari'a was revealed. To this, we say: When Allah created Prophet Adam, He created him upon the Fitra (natural innate disposition), and Adam was charged with the responsibility of raising his children upon this path.

Allah (The Almighty) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 213:

"Mankind was [of] one religion [before their deviation]; then Allah sent the prophets as bringers of good tidings and warners and sent down with them the Scripture in truth to judge between the people concerning that in which they differed..."

This verse shows that people were on a single path initially; when they differed, Allah sent Messengers to judge between them. Scholars of Tafsir (exegesis) like Ibn Abbas and others explain that originally, people followed the Shari'a inherited from Prophet Adam. After about ten generations, they deviated into polytheism, prompting Allah to send Messengers.

Therefore, since the beginning of creation, the Shari'a has nurtured the human intellect. Without it, the difference between humans and animals would be negligible. While animals share instincts for safety, leadership, and survival, the human intellect, guided by revelation, reaches a higher plane of morality.


Section 02: The Relationship Between People and Intellect

The presence of intellect is what distinguishes the sane from the insane. Human intellect and communication differ from animals; experts note that even if animals could speak, we might not understand them because the "experience" of being human is different from the "experience" of being an animal, and lifestyle differs too, as well as the way we see things around us.

Three things heavily influence human intellect: Religion, Society, and Knowledge.

  1. Religion: This is the Shari'a sent to rectify human thought. As Sheikh al-Islam (Ibn Taymiyyah) compared it: Intellect is like the eye, and Shari'a is the light. No matter how strong the eye is, it is useless in total darkness; it only functions when there is light.

  2. Society: The community shapes how a person thinks. What is acceptable in one culture may be unthinkable in another.

  3. Knowledge: Knowledge can either stabilise the intellect or lead it astray, as not all knowledge is beneficial.

Types of People Based on Intellect:

  • The Wise among the Intelligent: This person can weigh two evils and choose the lesser one to avoid a greater catastrophe.

    • Example: Jumping from a burning building (risking a broken leg) to avoid death by fire.

    • Example: Pursuing secular education despite some of its moral challenges to ensure Muslims are not left behind in vital fields like medicine and defence.



Section 03: Further Categories of Intellect

  • The "Simply" Intelligent: This person distinguishes between good and bad but struggles when faced with two bad options. They may freeze and lose everything.

    • Example: A person on a train track who refuses to move because one side has wild animals and the other has mud that will ruin their white clothes eventually, the train hits them because they couldn't prioritise life over clothes.

  • The Mindless (Mara Hankali): This person follows their whims (Son Zuciya) without weighing consequences.

    • Example: Someone jumping into a fire just because they enjoyed the warmth of the flames from a distance. They sell their hereafter for temporary worldly pleasure.

  • The Mindless among the Mindless: This person doesn't even follow their own whims, but rather the whims of others, even when they know it leads to destruction.


Section 04: The Variability of Intellect

Intellect varies based on environment and lifestyle. For example, a bat perceives the world through sound waves, while humans rely on sight. Similarly, different tribes have different "intellectual" norms regarding marriage, work, and social roles.

Because intellect is subjective and changes based on time and place, it cannot be the ultimate leader in religion. Religion is constant; therefore, the "True Intellect" is that which aligns with Shari'a.

The Sound Intellect is the one used to recognise Allah, His attributes, and His creation. As Ali ibn Abi Talib said, some people excel in Paradise not just because of many prayers, but because they understood Allah deeply through their intellect, leading to humility and tranquillity.

Even many scientists today see signs in the Quran (like the stages of the embryo or solar movements) but fail to submit because their intellect is not paired with the guidance of Shari'a.


Section 05: Conclusion

  1. True intellect must be able to identify the best "maslaha" (public interest/benefit) among complex choices.

  2. Since intellect is variable, it is foolish to place it above Shari'a, which is constant and divine.

  3. The only way to reach Allah is through sound religious knowledge, prioritising Allah's judgment over the thoughts of any created being whether they are a scholar or a scientist.

May Allah guide us and bless our lives.

Amen.

© Abu Umar Alkanawy, 2022


Key Vocabulary Note

  • Hankali: Often translated as "intellect," "reason," "wisdom," or "common sense."

  • Shari'a: Divine Islamic Law/Guidance.

  • Son Zuciya: Literal "desire of the heart" (whims or ego).

  • Maslaha: Benefit or the greater good.

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