Evaluating the Status and Function of Reason in Understanding the Religious Texts from Ibn Taymiyyeh and Allameh Tabatabei's Viewpoints

In Islam history¡ there have always been problems about status and function of reason in religious educations. This study deals with analyzing this topic from Ibn Taymiyyeh and Allameh Tabatabei’s viewpoints. Although Ibn Taymiyyeh has introduced himself as a rationalist¡ he believes that intellectual perceptions are not independent reasons. In his opinion¡ religious recognition and knowledge are possible only through a religious path and this path also involves rational reasons and definite proofs but the path of theology¡ scholars¡ and also the path of austerity and mysticism are innovations. On the contrary¡ Allameh believes that rational understanding¡ along with religious aspects¡ austerity path and carnal endeavors includes intrinsic authority.