The position of the holy Quran and its created religion Islam against dogmatism

Abstract

As a powerful institution, religion influences individual and collective thought and action through its norms, values, and beliefs. The Qur’an, as the primary source of Islam, plays a central role in shaping such principles. This study explores whether the doctrinal, practical, and ethical principles and values promoted by the Qur’an lead to a dogmatic attitude or provide grounds for dogmatism. It also examines the concept of ‘dogma’—originating from the intellectual context of Western philosophy—and analyses its lexical and terminological meanings, as well as the reasons for its association with religion, based on relevant historical and contemporary literature. It is widely acknowledged that the Qur’anic call to humanity is grounded in reason (ʿaql). Therefore, associating this rational call with a dogmatic discourse or attitude is untenable. Acquiring knowledge (ʿilm or maʿrifa) is among the most fundamental principles endorsed and encouraged by the Qur’an. The Qur’an repeatedly emphasises that God taught human beings how to write with the pen (al-qalam), the names (al-asmāʾ), and the Book (al-kitāb), aiming for a form of devotion grounded in reasoning and knowledge. The findings of this study indicate that although the term ‘dogma’ was initially used in epistemology to describe philosophers who defended the possibility of knowledge, it was later appropriated by Christian theologians to safeguard the Church’s doctrinal principles—thereby stripping it of its original philosophical context. In contrast, the Qur’an clarifies that dogmatism is characteristic not of belief (īmān) but of disbelief (kufr). The Qur’an does not hesitate to open even the foundational doctrine of divine unity (tawḥīd) to rational reflection and discussion. While the Qur’an does not contain anything contrary to reason, it does acknowledge the existence of realities that transcend human comprehension. Unlike Christianity’s theological tradition, which often embraces mystery, dogmatism, and agnosticism, the Qur’an commands understanding (fahm), contemplation (taʿammul), reflection (tafakkur), deliberation (tadabbur), remembrance (tadhakkur), and deep learning (tafaqquh). It firmly rejects fideistic tendencies that elevate belief over knowledge, such as Kant’s assertion that he “denied knowledge to make room for faith,” or Tertullian’s famous dictum, “I believe because it is absurd.” In conclusion, a close and objective analysis of the Qur’an’s internal structure and content shows that its theological principles are not dogmatic.