Is Rational Inquiry (Nazar) Obligatory, and Is the Faith of the Simple Believer Sound?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question

I am unsettled by Imam Juwayni’s statement that whoever dies, after enough time for rational inquiry (nazar) has passed, without having engaged in it, is a disbeliever. Does this mean reasoning is obligatory, and that the one who simply follows in his beliefs is blameworthy?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate.

Do not let this statement unsettle you. When understood correctly, it does not mean what you fear, and your faith remains safe. The established position of Sunni scholars is that the faith of the simple believer is valid and sufficient. What is required is a firm and certain belief, not a specific philosophical method.

Two Claims, Carefully Separated

The Sunni tradition distinguishes between two matters.

First, every believer should hold to the foundations of faith with firm and certain conviction, not simply by habit. This is agreed upon.

Second, some have claimed that everyone must engage in formal reasoning or else they are not a believer. This is the point that Imam Juwayni’s words seem to raise. Here, the scholars clarify the issue, and the apparent severity is explained.

What the Theology Actually Settles

The established view of the Ash‘ari and Maturidi schools, and of the four imams, is that the faith of the follower (muqallid) is valid and sufficient, as long as his belief is firm and without doubt. This is because true faith is a firm inner affirmation.

The proof is clear: the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and his Companions (Allah be pleased with them) accepted the testimony of faith from ordinary people without requiring formal arguments. If such a believer could have reflected but did not, he is only blameworthy for neglecting inquiry, not for disbelief.

How Imam Juwayni Is Read

This is precisely how Imam Juwayni himself is transmitted by the verifiers. Sayf al-Din al-Amidi reports Imam al-Haramayn’s settled position as that one whose belief is without proof yet without doubt “is a believer, sinful for neglecting inquiry” — not outside the religion.

As for the harsher report that Imam Ash‘ari invalidated the muqallid’s faith outright, Taftazani in Sharh al-Maqasid named it a misattribution, and other key scholars read it, at most, as referring to a person still in doubt and hesitation — not to one whose certainty, though resting on following, is firm.

The best of the early generations did not all engage in formal kalam, and no one has doubted the soundness of their faith. And this is why Allah Most High invites reflection without ever coercing philosophy. He commands His Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace): “Say, ‘This is my path: I summon to Allah upon the full light of insight’” [Quran 12:108] — an insight nourished by His signs, given “for those of insight and mind.” [Quran 3:190]

Grounded Faith, Not a Philosophy Exam

Faith requires firm and certain belief, not a specific technical method. Strengthen your certainty by reflecting on Allah’s signs and by learning your creed from a trustworthy teacher. Do not fear that a sincere believer’s faith depends on formal proofs. It does not. The very school you are concerned about is the one that reassures you. May Allah grant you certainty that is firm and brings peace.

And Allah knows best.

[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Related Answers

1. Were the Companions Aware of the Rational Proofs for the Existence of God? — the earliest believers held sound faith without formal proofs.
2. What Is the Relation between the Quran and Rational Arguments for the Existence of God? — how revelation invites reflection without reducing faith to philosophy.
3. Is It Obligatory to Believe in the Kalam Cosmological Argument? — whether a particular rational argument is binding, or whether firm assent suffices.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.

Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.

In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.

Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.

Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School,” published by White Thread Press in 2004, which is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.

His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.