Critical Thinking

Quran encouraging Critical thinking

Surah Yunus (10:101):“ .. See & Consider all that is in the heavens and the earth! ..”

The Quran does not only mention about Hukm (Religious rulings) but much more. In fact, ayaat on religious rulings covers a small percentage of the Quran. The bulk is about Aqeedah and ayaat that command us to think, ponder, using the intellect to observe His Creations and many more. The command to do TAFAKKUR!.

These are only some verses concerning using the brain to think:

Exploring Nature

Surah al-Ghashiyah (88:17-20): “Do they not see how the camels were formed, how the sky was lifted, how the mountains were raised high, how the earth was spread out?” 

Surah al-Mulk (67:19): "Do they not see the birds above them with wings outspread and [sometimes] folded in? None holds them [aloft] except the Most Merciful. Indeed He is, of all things, Seeing.

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:26): "Indeed, Allah is not ashamed to present an example, that of a mosquito or what is smaller on (Fawqa) it."
(Note: Recent Scientific development, mosquito is a host for parasites that are sucking its blood)

Astronomy

Surah Al-Imran (3:190): "Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding."

Surah Az-Zumar (39:5): "He created the heavens and the earth for a purpose. He wraps the night around the day, and wraps the day around the night. And He has subjected the sun and the moon, each orbiting for an appointed term. He is truly the Almighty, Most Forgiving.

Surah Al-Imran (3:191 Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], "Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.

Surah Yusuf (12:105): "How many are the signs in the heavens and the earth which people pass by without giving any heed (pondering)!"

Surah Ar-Rum (30:8): "Have they not reflected upon their own being? Allah only created the heavens and the earth and everything in between for a purpose and an appointed term. Yet most people are truly in denial of the meeting with their Lord!"

Surah Al-A’raf (7:185): "Have they ever reflected on the wonders of the heavens and the earth, and everything Allah has created, and that perhaps their end is near? So what message after this ˹Quran˺ would they believe in?"

Surah Al-Mulk (67:3): ˹He is the One˺ Who created seven heavens, one above the other. You will never see any imperfection in the creation of the Most Compassionate. So look again, do you see any Rift/ Crack/ Break/ Tear?
(Do tearing of Space. Imagine you poke a paper using a pen. The paper will be teared exposing hole)

Regarding the Earth

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:164): "Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth; the alternation of the day and the night; the ships that sail the sea for the benefit of humanity; the rain sent down by Allah from the skies, reviving the earth after its death; the scattering of all kinds of creatures throughout; the shifting of the winds; and the clouds drifting between the heavens and the earth—˹in all of this˺ are surely signs for people of understanding."

Surah Yunus (10:24): "The life of this world is just like rain We send down from the sky, producing a mixture of plants which humans and animals consume. Then just as the earth looks its best, perfectly beautified, and its people think they have full control over it, there comes to it Our command by night or by day, so We mow it down as if it never flourished yesterday! This is how We make the signs clear for a people who give thought."

Mountains

Surah An-Naba' (78:7): "Have We not made The earth as a wide Expanse, And the mountains as pegs?” 

Surah An-Nahl (16:15)"He cast into the earth anchored mountains, so it (the earth) does not shift with you, and rivers and paths that you might be guided."

Surah Luqman (31:10): "He created the heavens without pillars that you see and has cast into the earth firmly set mountains, lest it should shift with you .. "
(Note: Heavenly bodies (moon, sun, stars, etc) without pillars. Cast pegs into the ground.)