Is Critical Thinking allowed in Islam?

On examining the literature on critical thinking, various definitions emerge. Here are some examples:

• "Critical Thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action" (Scriven, 1996).
• "Critical Thinking is the intentional application of rational, higher order thinking skills, such as analysis, synthesis, problem recognition and problem solving, inference, and evaluation" (Angelo, 1995).
• "Critical Thinking is thinking that assesses itself" (Center for Critical Thinking, 1996).
• "Critical Thinking is the ability to think about one's thinking in such a way as to recognize its strengths and weaknesses and, as a result, to recast the thinking in improved form" (Center for Critical Thinking, 1996).
• Critical Thinking... involves using criteria to judge the quality of something, from cooking to a conclusion of a research paper. In essence, critical thinking is a disciplined manner of thought that a person uses to assess the validity of something, ie: statements, news stories, arguments, research, etc. (Beyer 1995)

Critical thinking involves:

• Asking questions
• Defining a problem
• Examining evidence
• Analyzing assumptions and biases
• Avoiding emotional reasoning
• Avoiding oversimplification
• Considering other interpretations
• Tolerating ambiguity.

A significant characteristic of critical thinking is metacognition. Metacognition is thinking about one's own thinking, ie: being aware of one's own thinking as one performs specific tasks and then using this awareness to control what one is doing. (Jones & Ratcliff, 1993)


A certain criteria must be met for something to be judged as believable. Although each subject area has different criteria, some standards apply to all subjects. "... an assertion must... be based on relevant, accurate facts; based on credible sources; precise; unbiased; free from logical fallacies; logically consistent; and strongly reasoned". (Beyer, 1995)


Critical thinking involves identifying, evaluating, and constructing arguments and the ability to infer a conclusion from one or multiple premises. To do so requires examining logical relationships among statements or data.  Ambiguity and doubt serve a critical-thinking function and are a necessary and productive part of the process, urging one to continue their search until they reach the correct conclusion.


Critical thinkers are skeptical and open-minded, they value fair-mindedness, respect evidence and reasoning, respect clarity and precision, look at different points of view, and will change positions when reason leads them to do so.


Prophet Abraham (as) exercised critical thinking when he questioned the existence of the sun and moon as gods, reaching the conclusion that whatever sets and disappears cannot be all-powerful, that the Creator of all these created things was the One God.  Bilquis, Queen of Sheba is another example of a human being’s ability to come to the right conclusion through critical thinking.


The Qur'ân emphasizes and demands that Muslims observe, think, ponder, reflect and question creation, including the wonders of the universe and what is within us to recognize God’s existence.


'Do they not ponder/reflect on the Qur'ân?'  4.82; 23.68 & 7.184
'… the signs in detail for those who reflect.'  10.24; 30.21; 39.42; 45.13; 51.49; 51.49
'Do they not reflect in their own minds?'  30.8 & 34.46
'…and contemplate the wonders of creation.'  3.191
'… in order that you may consider.'  2.219; 2.226; 6.50; 13.3


The Qur'ân relates stories of the past generations to make us think critically of what they were doing wrong so that we do not repeat the same mistakes.  Islam discourages us to blindly follow any tradition just because that is how it was done in the past.


… so relate the story, perchance they may reflect.  7.176


Learning from the mistakes of others requires critical thinking as well as wisdom.  The intellect is a gift from God, and He expects us to use it.  Allâh Ta’ala demands of Muslims to raise their awareness and become conscious of what they believe and learn how to make the right choice.


Education involves questioning, researching, forming opinions, verifying ideas and thoughts and then reaching a sound conclusion.  There is no such thing as a bad question. When a person who goes through this process submits, he will submit with full awareness, willingness and conviction.  An educated and informed Muslim who has examined Islam and then chooses to follow it is better than someone who follows blindly. 


‘Can the blind be held equal to the seeing? Will you not, then, take thought?’  (6.50)


‘The blind and the seeing are not equal…’ (35.19) & (40.58)


Critical thinking also demands that when there is enough evidence to support a point, we do not let our ego come in the way of accepting that conclusion.  Being human, this poses a much greater effort as well as a willingness to submit despite what our lower self incites us to do.


‘… verily, it is not the eyes that have become blind – but blind have become the hearts that are in their breasts!’  (22.46)


Islamic history is full of examples of intellectual giants in every field of study; from science to astronomy, from medicine to psychology, from mathematics to the fine arts… all of them were open-minded critical thinkers.  They questioned and probed until they found the answers that made them the most respected scholars of the past and present.  We don’t stop gloating about them, but are too scared to follow their example.  Muslims seem to have lost their ability to respect the search of knowledge; they have created an Islamophobic attitude that research and questioning is akin to heresy.  The end result is that Muslims today are suffering from their own ignorance.  


If we believe that Islam is for all times, we have to recognize that each new era will bring its own questions and dilemmas; and each new generation will examine everything anew… it has to, otherwise it stands to lose conviction.  


Not only that, but each individual, in his or her search for meaning of life will and should question the precepts of Islam, until he/she is convinced, only then will they achieve certainty of faith.  


Muslims have no right to put limits on any individual’s path of personal growth and evolution.  Islam does not discourage or prohibit a person from questioning any and every matter under the sun.


We are too often passive receptors of information, and like a herd of sheep following blindly Muslims have given up the personal responsibility of seeking knowledge.  We need to develop and effectively apply critical thinking skills to the complex problems that we face, and to the critical choices we will be forced to make as a result of the information explosion, other rapid technological changes and the political chaos that surrounds us.  It is important to know how to ask good questions and to think critically in order to continue advancement. Every field stays alive only to the extent that fresh questions are generated and taken seriously.  To live successfully, Muslims must be able to think critically in order to make sound decisions about personal, civic and world affairs. If we learn to think critically, only then will we be able to use good judgment as the guide by which we live our lives.   


Muslims need to create an environment that encourages and fosters questioning, examining and debating any and every issue, freely and openly. 


© 2003  published on www.crescentlife.com
 
References:
Angelo, T. A. (1995). Beginning the Dialogue: Thoughts on Promoting Critical Thinking: Classroom
Asad, Muhammad; The Message of the Quran
Assessment for Critical Thinking. Teaching of Psychology, 22(1), 6-7.
Beyer, B. K. (1995). Critical Thinking. Bloomington, IN: Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation.
Cason, Yahya; el Fadl, Kamel and Walker, Fareed;  An Exhaustive Concordance of The Meaning of The Quran.  © 2000
Center for Critical Thinking (1996a). The Role of Questions in Thinking, Teaching, and Learning
Center for Critical Thinking (1996b). Structures for Student Self-assessment.
Center for Critical Thinking (1996c). Three Definitions of Critical Thinking
Jones, E. A. & Ratcliff, G. (1993). Critical Thinking Skills for College Students. National Center on Postsecondary Teaching, Learning, and Assessment, University Park, PA.
Scriven, M. & Paul, R. (1996). Defining Critical Thinking: A Draft Statement for the National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking.

Self-satisfaction

The source of every disobedience, indifference and passion is self-satisfaction.

The source of every obedience, vigilance and virtue is dissatisfaction with one's self.

It is better for you to keep company with an ignorant man dissatisfied with himself

than to keep company with a learned man satisfied with himself.

For what knowledge is there in a self-satisfied scholar?

And what ignorance is there in an unlearned man dissatisfied with himself?

Shaykh Ibn Ataullah Iskandari

Ibn Ataullah explains the harms of indulging in the state of self-satisfaction.   Being satisfied with oneself, believing one is fine and good and great leads one to lose objectivity about self.  We stop looking at ourselves critically, we start believing that everything we do is right, we do no wrong... sliding down the path of delusions.  Inevitably we then start doing things the way we want to and become indifferent and apathetic toward what is right.

But what is worse is that it holds us back from learning.  Learning about ourselves, or  self-awareness is the the starting point for all change and growth.  If in our state of smug self-satisfaction we stop looking at our self, how will we know if what we do is right or wrong?

There is an element of arrogance in self-satisfaction.

Like the Quranic verse says that they were deaf, dumb and blind to themselves... but they really believed they were fine, they were self-satisfied, they believed what they were doing was right... and since they were satisfied there was no need to learn anything.

When we shut ourselves from examining our own thoughts, feelings and actions we start living in a delusional world of make believe.  This indifference or apathy toward new information is harmful for us, it creates a false sense of well being.

Finally, it is better to hang out with a dissatisfied fool than a satisfied scholar.  What a deep, pithy statement.  A satisfied scholar is shut down to new learning, he believes he knows all there is to know, that there is nothing new he needs to learn.  That is scary!  This arrogance of a self-satisfied scholar who believes he knows everything is dangerous, for he will not be open to taking in and examining any new information that might change the direction of a decision. He may think he is the expert in his field, but the moment when we stops learning he has dug a hole for himself.  He is dead.  He is a fool who is self-absorbed and content with the little knowledge he possesses, believing that there is no more to learn. 

A person dissatisfied with his own condition will have the spark, the motivation, the will to make the effort to learn and try new things to improve himself.  He is open to learning... and that is his strength.  He is living... changing, growing, moving, creating.

Our social, cultural & familial tendency is to be self-satisfied, we think what we do and how we do it is right... that is why we are a dictatorial & autocratic society.  We are closed-minded bigots.  We don't accept or respect anyone who does not think or act like us.  We reject new information even before we examine it.  New information or ways of doing things scares us.  We have become tunnel-visioned... deaf, dumb and blind!!! 

And the arrogance sets in.  Let's drag God into this mess, use Him to justify every wrong we commit.   After all, in my arrogance I know that God thinks like me.  He is harsh, punitive, dictatorial and one-dimensional.  Project your narrowness onto God, and you are safe.

A remedy for this negative condition is to allow yourself to grow, expand, learn something new, learn to look at the same old stuff with new eyes, a new perspective, a new angle.  Learn to experience how others feel or think, step in their shoes for a while.  Take in new information.  Listen to the sounds around you, hear the music in every sound.

Every day He creates a new creation... experience it. 

Trust me, you will never be bored, you will never tire, you will never feel alone or lonely.  Instead you will be ALIVE, rejuvenated, energized and full of joy.

You might even learn to fly.

 ©2011

Stressed Out?

Almost everyone feels stressed out at times.  A little stress is a good thing, it keeps you going, it keeps you motivated and moving ahead toward your goal.  However, too much stress can be bad.  But that too is not the end of the world if you learn to manage stress... instead of letting stress take over your life.


Some basic tips:
1. Be Organized:
Very simple, very basic, but it is the foundation to how you manage your life & hence your stress.  Organize everything: your time, your work, your play, your courses, your study, and down to the small seemingly unimportant things like your room, clothes, laundry &  meals.  Being organized will help cut down on wasted time.  You won't need to look for misplaced notes or books.  Being organized will cut down on chaos that adds to stress.


2. Care for Self:
You are a composite of your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual self.  You need to care for ALL of you to be healthy.  A healthy self is stronger and can fight any negativity in life without freaking out.  Eat right & eat regular meals.  Drink plenty of water.Get some physical exercise daily.  Sleep 6 - 7 hours at night.  Learn to relax and unwind.  Relaxation exercises are very helpful.


3. Maintain Balance:
Extremes are harmful, be it all fun and no play, or all play and no fun... either extreme will have negative consequences.  In a 24 hour day... you have 8 hours to study, 8 hrs to have fun and do your personal chores & that still leaves you 8 hrs to sleep.  So there is plenty of time in a day to study & have fun if you learn to manage time. 


4. Manage Time:
Get into the habit of making daily, weekly calendars.  To-do lists are very useful and a life-saver.  Make a calendar for the entire semester.  Block out study time, class times, fun times, sleep time... and you will be amazed to see how much time you have on hand.  Use it judiciously.


5. Attitude:
Your attitude toward yourself, your life, your world is the most basic building block of your life.  If you have a negative attitude you will feel bad and you will make bad choices.  If you have a positive/realistic attitude you will feel good and will make good choices.  In the 25+ years that I have been counseling I have never come across ANYONE who had a negative attitude but felt good, happy or satisfied with their life.  How you THINK is what you are!!!


These tips should help you on the way to success... not just in college but your entire life.


If you need help schedule an appointment with me.  ;-)
(for my LUMS students)

Father-Daughter Relationship: Be Her Role Model and Mentor

Fathers can make such a difference in their daughters' lives. But often, girls are overlooked as fathers develop special bonds with their sons. Fathers are the first male that a girl knows, and the relationship with him sets the tone for all male-female relationships she will have in the future. Fathers are role models for their daughters.

If you were raised in an atmosphere where the roles for men and women were different, some of those stereotypes will still prevail. It can be difficult to break free from old habits and social norms, even when you know it's the best thing for your child.  It is hard work but it is entirely possible.

What you show your children is as important as many of the lessons they learn at school. If they grow up with gender biased role models in the home that is what they will create when they grow up and start their own families.  If they grow up seeing both parents being respectful of each other, and the children, that is what they will create for their family.

Seeing a father cook, clean and help around the house will have a greater impact on the daughter than just telling her that mom’s ‘jobs’ are just as important as dad’s job.  Actions speak louder than words. Teaching her to fix the car can be just as valuable as teaching her how to cook.


Make time to talk to your daughter.  Get to know her, find out how she thinks and feels about everything.  Let her know that you care.  Spend time with her regularly.  Get involved in her activities.  Share your interests and hobbies with her.  Show her that spending time with her is important to you.  Involve her in the decision-making process.


Your relationship with your daughter teaches her what value she has as a person; her identity and self-worth develops from how you interact with her.  When you neglect her, she learns to neglect herself.  If you abuse her she will learn to take abuse or become abusive.  If you respect her she will learn to respect herself and others.  The way you relate with her will determine how she will relate with others, and what kind of family life she will create for herself in the future.


Seemingly unimportant chores are extremely valuable in teaching children the basic lessons of sharing, compromising, co-operating, respect and responsibility. Your attitude toward everything you do is a loud and clear message to your children. Sometimes she can do things that she may think are boring, and sometimes you will do things that you are not interested in.


Children need the presence of both parents; they need the active involvement of both parents in their everyday life.  A mother cannot fill the role of the father in the same way that a father can.  Nor can a father be a mother for his children.


Along with the serious responsibility of being your child's first and most influential role model, parents should also make time to have fun with their children. Children also love to do things with their parents that involve play. Kids will have a lot more fun and take ownership of your special time together if they help decide what activities to engage in.

Know that you are shaping your daughter’s future by how you relate with her.


 © 2001  published on www.crescentlife.com

Forced Marriages

The most important thing to recognize is that Islâm does not permit or validate any contract (business or otherwise) of a minor.  A child, who does not understand the implications of a contract is not permitted to make or give consent to contracts on his/her behalf.   

All contracts have certain requirements that have to be fulfilled, and it is necessary for a person to fully understand not only the requirements but what it entails to fulfill that contract, ie: the implication of the fine print. Islam restricts a minor's free control of his wealth or person and a wali is assigned in such cases.  The same applies in matters of marriage.  In the absence of a father the wali could be another adult of the family or assigned by court.

Since Islâm does not allow a minor to conduct business or make financial decisions for himself or herself, a marital contract of a minor falls under the same premise.  

Islâm does not give a father the right to use his children's wealth without their permission, how could he be allowed to decide, without the daughter's permission, how her body (which is more important than her wealth) is to be used, specially when she disagrees to and is mature enough to decide for herself?  

In a hadith reported by ‘Aishah (raa) ‘A woman came to Allah’s Messenger (saw) and said, ‘O Prophet of Allah! My father offered me as wife to his nephew so as to elevate his social status. What should I do?’ Allah’s Messenger (saw) said, ‘The matter is in your hands. If you like you may accept and approve the marriage. If you do not, no one has the right to force you to accept it.’ The woman said, ‘I approve of what my father has done, but I want to teach other women that their fathers have no right to force them to marry whomever their fathers want.’ (Ahmad)

Abu Hurayrah (ra) reported that the Prophet (saw) said: "A previously married woman may not be married without her command, and a never married woman may not be married without her permission; and permission for her is to remain silent (because of her natural shyness)." [Al-Bukhâri, Muslim, and others]

The Prophet (saw) prohibits forcing a woman in marriage without her permission, whether it be by her father or anyone else. 

Áisha (ra) said that she asked the Prophet (saw): "In the case of a young girl whose parents marry her, should her permission be sought or not?" He replied, "Yes, she must give her permission." She then said, "But a young woman will be shy, O Allâh's Messenger." He answered: "Her silence is [considered as] her permission." [Al-Bukhâri, Muslim, and others]

The difference between the previously married woman and a never married woman in the hadîth of the Prophet (saw) is not a differentiation between compulsion and non-compulsion; rather, the difference between the two cases is that
(a) the previously married woman gives her instructions for the marriage 
(b) the never married woman gives permission

The reason given for this is that a never-married woman may be shy in discussing the matter of her marriage, so she is not proposed to directly; rather, her wali (guardian) is approached, he must have her permission. As for a previously married woman who can discuss the matter of her own marriage, she can be proposed to directly, and she gives the command to her wali to perform the marriage, and he must obey her. Thus the wali is command-executor in the case of the previously married woman, and is permission-seeker in the case of a never-married woman. This is what the Prophet's words indicate.   

As for compelling a woman to marry despite her loathing to do so, this would contradict the fundamental principles of choice and right to making decisions about your own life.. Allâh Ta'ala did not permit a wali to force his ward to sell or rent her property without her permission. Neither did Allâh Ta'ala permit the parent or guardian to force his ward to eat or drink or wear that which she does not wish. How would He then oblige her to marry a person whose company she hates?

However, instances in which 'silence is as permission' is widely abused. 
 
© 2003  published on www.crescentlife.com

Journaling: A Tool for Self-Awareness

Journaling is a therapeutic tool used in a variety of ways to connect with aspects of self at a deeper level.  It has many advantages when done in conjunction with therapy.  It helps a person become better acquainted with their own hidden patterns of thinking and feeling.  Recognizing and becoming aware of your own patterns is the starting point of change, only when we know what is not working can we change it.  

Journaling is also a good tool for measuring success and change, as you look back at issues you have addressed and worked on.  On the other hand it will also reveal what issues are still unresolved and need your attention.  

As you continue journaling you will find that your understanding of your issues move from a surface level to deeper levels as the underlying fears and motives are revealed to you.  One is often surprised at what is revealed!  It is surprising to find out what you really think and believe as opposed to what you think you think.  The masks start coming off.  The real you starts showing itself.  You are accessing your subconscious self... the one that runs the show.  We tend to live with a socially acceptable persona or the 'false self' that adapts itself to the demands of society and the environment we live in.  

The best style of journaling is 'free-flowing' ie: let your thoughts and feelings flow.  No censoring of thoughts and feelings!  As you start writing you will find that your mind goes off on tangents, one thought leading to another... follow the thread.  Keep asking yourself why do I think/feel this way.  Keep digging deeper and deeper as your inner motivations are revealed to you.  Our thoughts and feelings occur in layers, as you uncover one layer you will find another layer of beliefs under it.  Look at the dark and the bright sides of self.  Honesty, brutal honesty is the key to truly understand yourself.  Don't shy away from your true inner self... as that is the part of you that you need to know if you want to change the negativity in your life. 

Some of the advantages of Journaling are:
Healing

• Self-awareness
• Heals relationships
• Heals the past
• Dignifies all events
• Strengthens your sense of self
• Balances and harmonizes aspects of self
• Recalls and reconstructs past events
• Acts as your own counselor
• Leverages therapy sessions for better and faster results
• Reveals and tracks patterns and cycles
• Allows you to re-experience the past with today's adult mind

Know Yourself 

• Builds self confidence and self knowledge
• Records the past
• Helps you identify your values
• Reveals the depths of who you are
• Clarifies thoughts, feelings and behavior
• Shifts you to the observer, recorder, counselor level
• Reveals your processes - how you think, learn, create and use intuition
• Creates awareness of beliefs and options so you can change them
• Reveals different aspects of self
• Accesses the unconscious, subconscious and super consciousness
• Finds the missing pieces and the unsaid
• Helps rid you of the masks you wear
• Finds more meaning in life

Personal Growth

• Integrates life experiences and learning
• Moves you towards wholeness and growth, to who you really are
• Explores your spirituality
• Focuses and clarifies your desires and needs
• Allows freedom of expression
• Explores night dreams, day dreams and fantasies
• Improves self trust
• Awakens the inner voice
• Directs intention and discernment
• Provides insights
• Improves sensitivity
• Interprets your symbols and dreams

Problem Solving and Stress Reduction

• Eases decision making
• Offers new perspectives
• Brings clarity
• Shows relationships and wholeness instead of separation
• Is often self-starting and motivating and supplies its own energy
• Enhances intuition and creativity
• Increases focus
• Brings stability
• Holds thoughts still so they can be observed, changed and integrated
• Releases pent-up thoughts and emotions
• Empowers
• Disentangles thoughts and ideas
• Bridges inner thinking with outer events

As you start to journal you will have more and more ideas come to you. Capture them. Create an "Ideas" page of things you want to journal about. It may be a great idea, or another topic you would like to journal on, or a question you want answered, or a journaling tool you want to try again. Write it. Any time you have a few minutes to reflect or write, you have some important topics to write about.

If you tend to have an active, creative mind, you may have lots of great ideas pop into your head. And if you do not catch them, they will be gone in seconds. It is great to go back and review multiple ideas, then step back and look at the bigger picture your ideas are creating.
"Writing crystallizes thought and thought produces action."  Paul J. Meyer


  © 2001  published on www.crescentlife.com

The Art of Silence

Silence as a form of communication!  Have you ever thought of silence in this context?

In learning the techniques of therapy, I was taught to let silence work for me during a session with a client.  Periods of silence allow the inner workings to happen.  Silence allows the inner process to blossom.  Silence helps stop the external chattering of the ‘monkey mind’ and teaches us to listen to the inner dialogue.  Silence helps us dig deeper into our own selves, to know ourselves better and to find the answers within us.

So many of us feel troubled when everyone is quiet that we often begin talking even it if does not really relate to the situation at hand.  Some of us start forming answers in our mind and don’t even wait for the other person to finish what they are saying.  We don’t even listen with full attention.  This superficial level of dialogue is conditioned, it is learned information; not inner wisdom.

How wonderful it would be to learn the art of silence and know when to remain quiet. In the quietness, thoughts and emotions are formed in relation to what was being discussed. We need time to reflect and respond.  If we speak too quickly we lose the 'thread' of the process. Once the silence is broken - the moment is lost.

Think back to some of your conversations. Couples often make the mistake of feeling that when their partner states something, they are expected to fix it or come up with a solution.  Most of the time the partner really simply wants to be heard, to be able to vent, to think out loud, to process their thoughts. When we speak too quickly and try to solve the situation, the partner feels he/she has not been heard.

I have seen that when I encourage clients to look within, they inevitably come up with a better understanding of their problem; as well as the answers and insights they need to resolve it.  They are just not used to allowing themselves the silence that is needed to know their real inner self.  Our culture and society doesn’t encourage this way of being.  We are so busy creating destructive distractions for ourselves that we don’t even know our real self.   

Worrying is the incessant chattering of the over-active mind that is fueled by your fears.

This powerful silence is different from the obsessive worrying we are prone to.  Worrying is the incessant chattering of the over-active mind that is fueled by your fears.  Silence is receptive listening.  It is being open with total trust.  Silence is allowing yourself to be.  Our thoughts are not linear and neither is our life.  Our inner self connects to pertinent information according to its relevance to an issue.  When we allow our inner self the silence it needs, it will pull out the necessary information.  Like ‘connect the dots’ it retrieves all the information, even long forgotten information, and it makes complete sense.  Worrying and obsessing over things is limited, linear thinking, and that is why it does not get us out of our stuck ways.

Silence helps you evolve and grow.  It helps your wisdom blossom.  It teaches you to trust your inner self.  Silence flows like poetry.  Silence is the dance of discernment.  Silence is the language of communication with God.


© 2001  published on www.crescentlife.com