Qur'anic approach to rooting of Faith Applied analytical study

Yahya Aal Dukhi

Summary
In this study, we discuss the Qur›anic approach that establishes faith in man, by offering the tools that form the Quranic approach or that the Quran has used
It is the approach of common sense, reason, debate and story. So, our study discusses these methods objectively and scientifically, and shows the applications of every approach taking them from the Qur’an itself. After defining common sense, we deal with its applicable area, such as the phenomena of livelihood, life and death, and Knowledge of the Unseen. These areas cause to man an obsession that drives him, by common sense and conscience, to believe in the oneness of Allah. So is the rational approach. Reason in the Qur›anic and Hadith texts is the implicit authority, while prophets are the explicit authority. Reason, for man, is the tool of thinking, and the measure of distinguishing between good and evil. In fact, the realizing of all good is done by reason. We have defined reason and mentioned its applications, including the belief in the Wise Maker and Administrator, and the belief in prophethood and afterlife, and so on with the rest of the other approaches, such as debate which is just a goal and purpose, but not a means to get to the right and distinguish it from falsehood. Then comes the historical narrative approach, which has so many divine lessons and examples. The result of this study is to get to the fact that the Qur’an has rooted in man certain beliefs that form the basis of the faith in Almighty Allah.

As to the term of Qur›anic approach included in this study, we mean by it our understanding of the method and the way which the Holy Quran followed through its holy verses, to consolidate and root faith in the soul of man. The method used in these verses may be to raise reason, common sense, or persuasion, so that man may get to know well Almighty Allah, know His prophets and messengers, and know resurrection and the Afterlife. And so on in the rest of the doctrinal system.

The Holy Quran has given to faith a great role in man’s life, and deepened in the human soul certain methods that man can follow with light and guidance. Our study tries to show these methods and define their applications through Quranic verses and exegetic views.

Here, we brief the methods as the following:
1 - Innate approach: its reference to the general fundamentals of religion concerning the oneness of Almighty Allah. We have talked about the important applications of this approach through phenomena leading to it, such livelihood, knowledge of the unseen, and so on. And all of them are in harmony with this approach. They take man to believe in his Lord and Creator.

2 - Rational approach: this approach may be the most important one in the consolidation of faith. Surely, the main axis for the belief in Allah, prophethood, and the afterlife is reason. So, reason, as a criterion, is present throughout this study. We have discussed its important role in believing in the maker of life, prophethood, and resurrection, through Qur’anic applications and their analysis according to reason.

3 -  Persuasive dialectical approach: the basis of this approach is reason too. It seeks the facts for its own sake, and provides clear, irrefutable arguments and proofs that make opponents objectively accept and acknowledge them. We have also offered an elaborated discussion on its fields in the question of monotheism, administration of the Creator, knowing the prophet, and believing in him, and so on.

4-  Story and its method has active role in rooting and establishing of faith, through its psychological and emotional impact on human soul. The Holy Qur’an has given to story a great importance in this concern. So, has come the stories of Prophet Noah, Abraham and David to confirm this purpose.

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