Thinking Styles in The Qur'an by Prof. Dr. Jamal Badi
von Adha Saadon
1. Conceptual Thinking
1.1. It divided into conceptual expansion and conceptual combination. (use of conceptual expansion and combination)
1.2. Conceptual expansion: constructing, stretching, extending, modifying, and refining concepts to fit new situations and thus creating new meanings.
1.3. Conceptual combination: the combination of two concepts to produce a new idea or meaning where a non-existent concept is brought into being.
2. Scientific Thinking
2.1. In light of the Qur’ān connotes the style by which the Qur’ān enhances the thinking ability of man in matters of natural sciences. (use of precision)
2.2. It enables him to realize and recognize the greatness of Allah and to utilize and develop the findings resulting from the exercise of such thinking for the betterment of humanity.
3. Wishful Thinking
3.1. Defined as holding wishes that are impossible to come true. (use of wishes and make-believe)
3.2. The Qur’ān uses this style of thinking to show the extreme grievance and regret of the disbelievers on the Day of Judgement, promoting good and in describing the wishful thinking of certain people.
4. Intuitive Thinking
4.1. Has to do with the insight and inspiration that Allah bestows on Muslims for those who use their reason and intellect in the right manner, enlightened and inspired by Allah's revelation. (use of gut feeling)
4.2. * Wisdom is defined as saying or doing the right thing at the right time in the right way with the right person.
4.3. Intuition is also known as a combination of knowledge plus wisdom that leads to inspiration and inspiration leads to intuition.
5. Inquisitive Thinking
5.1. Thought-provoking questions
5.2. Leads to development of new connections in the brain's neural network
5.3. The Qur'an uses questions to: Affirming belief, creating certainty, disapproving, scolding the transgressers, gloryfying Allah, to show disbelievers crying in grief on the Day of Judgement, raisings doubts about false beliefs that lead astray
5.4. "Am I not your Lord?" (Al-A'raf. 172)
6. Objective Thinking
6.1. Expressing claims through proofs & evidences
6.2. The Qur'an uses this thinking styles to: Seeking evidence to prove a claim, warning on conjecture, condemning al-Hawa, blind following + fanaticism even in Ibadah
6.3. "Produce an evidence for what you are claiming, if what you say is true!" (Al-Baqarah: 111)
7. Positive Thinking
7.1. Hope & trust
7.2. The Qur'an uses this thinking styles to: Not to lose hope in Allah's mercy, have hope in Allah's guidance, tawakkul, encouraging optimism, prohibition from believing in superstitions
7.3. "Say, O My Ibad (servants) who have transgressed against your own selves! Despair not of Allah's Mercy: verily Allah forgives all sins; for verily, He alone is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful!" (Al-Zumar: 53)
8. Hypothetical Thinking
8.1. Use of hypotheses, assertively not agressively
8.2. Increasing human intellect by exposing it to the truth
8.3. "It was she who sought to make me yield myself unto her! Now one of those present, of her own household, suggested, if his tunic is torn from the front, then she is telling the truth, and he is a liar. But if his tunic is torn from behind, then she is lying, and he is speaking the truth" (Yusuf: 26-27)
9. Metaphorical Thinking
9.1. See the similarities between dissimilar things. (use of metaphors: parables and allegories)
9.2. It is also called parable. Scholars classify it into: clear, hidden and delegated.
9.3. The Qur'an uses it as: affirming the Oneness of Allah, proving what is beyond the human perception, encouraging good deeds and discouraging evil acts, warning us about temptations, comparing the status of guided vs misguided and glorifying Allah.
10. Analogical Thinking
10.1. Uses similes in order to indicate similarity of characteristics between two things. (use of similes)
10.2. The Qur'anic verses that related to it are: revealing the consequences of their deeds, comparison of good words and bad ones and comparison between faith and ignorance.
11. Emotional Thinking
11.1. The care or mercy of Allah towards His 'Ibād, also known as empathetic thinking. (use of affect: touching, heart-warming diction)
11.2. It can be found in many verses in the Qur'an; use tender expression to touch the hearts of the readers or listeners and use appeals to hope and fear as two modes of expression.
11.3. Verses that talk about Allah's pleasure for believers and verses that address Allah's anger with disbelievers are of this type.
12. Perceptual Thinking
12.1. Related to human perception of the world. (use of perception)
12.2. Some of the verses in this regard are the status of the Hereafter, to change the perception of the disbelievers about Allah and His Attributes and values.
13. Rational Thinking
13.1. Use of reason, logic & sound judgement
13.2. 7 Meanings of "rationality":
13.2.1. Conceptual, Logical, Methodological, Epistemological, Ontological, Valuation, Practical
13.3. Used in the Qur'an in the following areas: Affirming the existence of Allah + the Day of Judgement, attacking the faulty reasoning of those who deny the existence of Allah + Hereafter, refuting their arguments & misconceptions
13.3.1. "And He it Who originates the creation, then He will repeat it (after it has perished); and this is easier for Him" (Al-Rum: 27)
14. Reflective/Contemplative Thinking
14.1. Use of contemplation & rumination (a deep thought)
14.2. Reflect upon the creation of the universe
14.2.1. This reflections leads to: Appreciation of Allah's creation, self-tranquility, remembrance of Allah, reminding of obligations, discovering the governing laws of the universe