Imam Ghazali's universal rule of allegorical interpretation

[xiin-finiin]

What is your opinion on it? For those of you that don't know, the universal rule basically states that if a demonstrative rational proof contradicts the apparent meaning of revelation, then the apparent meaning of revelation must be abandoned and reason must be given priority (so revelation takes on a metaphorical meaning).

If you wan't to learn more about this rule: https://www.academia.edu/13279975/A...ing_Revelation_al_Qānūn_al_kullī_fī_l_taʾwīl_

 

[Yibir_]

What is your opinion on it? For those of you that don't know, the universal rule basically states that if a demonstrative rational proof contradicts the apparent meaning of revelation, then the apparent meaning of revelation must be abandoned and reason must be given priority (so revelation takes on a metaphorical meaning).

If you wan't to learn more about this rule: https://www.academia.edu/13279975/Al_Ghazālī_at_His_Most_Rationalist_The_Universal_Rule_for_Allegorically_Interpreting_Revelation_al_Qānūn_al_kullī_fī_l_taʾwīl_

What contradictions have you found in the quran?

The problem with allegorical thought is that it detracts from the greater narrative of the story. Take the story of adam (as) (submission) a commonly held belief in mystical christian thought is that the serpent in the garden bestowed knowledge. This is incorrect, and is from the lingering religious iconography of various polytheistic myths that were present in the area. People love their traditions and will do anything to hold on to them, the common discourse with prophets in the Quran al kareem when approaching their people was; “shall we abandon, the practices of our forefarthers?!”. A good question to ask, from this, is why? Why do people want to hold onto these beliefs? The answer is the will to have control over their destinies, even if this desire is only present on a subconscious level. To have control over your expression, surroundings and environment - now where do you go from this? Do you become a reductionist-materialist, a stoic, a pagan? Or do you conceit that you can never have any meaningful control, yet still strive and become a believer?

 

[xiin-finiin]

What contradictions have you found in the quran?

none, but there are "apparent" contradictions. for example the quran/hadith attributing hand/face/etc to God.

 

[Yibir_]

none, but there are "apparent" contradictions. for example the quran/hadith attributing hand/face/etc to God.

Meaningless discourse that adds nothing of value to your life. You will not observe the Lord whilst you are alive so ignore it. Are you ashari?

 

[xiin-finiin]

Are you ashari

yes

 

[astr0veiled]

yes

out of curiosity, is your family ash’ari too?

 

[xiin-finiin]

out of curiosity, is your family ash’ari too?

my old family members are sufi, and i think also ashari. am not sure about them being ashari but i know for a fact they studied books on the ashari aqida (one of them even named his son after one of those books). As for the younger ones, probably no