The Role of ‘Aql in Understanding Revelation and Its Interpretation According to Ibn Rushd al-Hafid

Abstract

Undoubtedly, most philosophers, theologians, and jurists paid great attention to the human mind, and relied on it in the interpretation of texts to the extent of exaggeration. Then it becomes disputed for transmission (the text). However, the study of the thought of Ibn Rushd Al-Hafid notes his role in trying to reconcile human reason and transmission, especially in his two corpora: Fasl Al-Maqal fi Taqrir ma bayna al-Syariah wa Hikmah min al-Ittisal, and Wa al-Kasyf 'an Manahij al-Adillah fi 'Aqaid al-Millah, following in that the scholars of the Salaf and the methodology of Sunnis in the interpretation of texts; Emphasizing that the relationship between reason and transmission or Sharia and wisdom is a relationship of reconciliation and integration of two branches of knowledge. Each of them is a guide and a connector to the absolute truth. Hence, they are in terms of truth, no dispute between them. Thus, the research problem lies in clarifying the following questions: What is meant by reason and transmission? What is the difference between Ta'wil and Tafsir? Is the human mind compatible with the law? Hence, the objective of the research is to explain the role of the mind in understanding and interpreting texts according to Ibn Rushd. The article uses the inductive, descriptive, and analytical approaches, which are indispensable in such research, in order to reach satisfactory results that clarify Ibn Rushd's position on reason as a tool for understanding and interpreting texts, and confirm that the relationship between reason and transmission is a complementary relationship that does not contradict and the mind deals with revelation is set by systematic rules.