A Critical Analysis of the position of reason in Theology From the viewpoint of Ibn Taymiyya and Allameh Tabatabaie

One of the important issues in understanding religion is the position of reason in comprehending religious cognitions. In the following investigation, efforts have been put on analyzing of position of reason from the viewpoints of Ibn Taymiyya and Allameh Tabatabaei, somehow that the strength and weak points of two points of view could be clarified. Ibn Taymiyya believes, as well as all knowledges and actions derived from Intellect is called reason, so reason sometimes refers to a power that human, reflects with it, and this perception is a consequence of “First Intellect” ! Acquiring cognitions of religion in the viewpoint of Ibn Taymiyya doesn’t need reason if there are enough evidence from Quran, narrations and human nature. And if there is a conflict between religion and reason, then the priority must be given to religion. And those who make reason superior to religion, according to him, are mistaken. Allameh Tabatabaei also believes that, what it is meant intellect in human, is perceptive soul of him and that is an initiative level those all universal concepts and general rules lead to that! Indeed Allameh refuses both extreme viewpoints, the one that doesn’t give a role to reason for understanding religion and also that view which considers reason self-sufficient in this regard! instead he believes that reason is located between those to above mentioned extremes! Reason is one of the significant sources in religious cognition which never goes wrong! there is no conflict between Intellect and religion, therefore, in contrast to Ibn Taymiyyah, reason in the viewpoint of Allameh Tabatabaei has an especial role in acquiring religious cognition