Epistemological Foundations of Qurʾān from Ṭabāṭabāyī's Point of View and its Implications in Educational Issues

Human cognition and perception is one of the philosophical topics that have been explained in different schools of thought by referring to other ideas that the followers of that school have. Subjects such as the nature, possibility, tools and levels of knowledge have always been discussed and disputed among opinionated people. On the other hand, knowledge is one of the basic elements of education. Therefore, our belief about it will have a significant effect in organizing the educational system. One of the Muslim philosophers who has shown great attention to epistemological issues in his commentary on the Holy Qurʾān is Sayyed Mohammad Hossein Tabatabayi. In this study, we intend to recognize his epistemological foundations in his commentary book Al-Mizan and seek the achievements of these foundations in the discussion of other components of the educational system; such as goals, principles and methods. This study aims to reveal that Ṭabāṭabāyī believes that from the point of view of the Qurʾān, knowledge is the absolute meaning of consciousness, which becomes possible with the help of sense, intellect, and revelation, and it has levels. In Tabatabayi's point of view, the Qurʾān considers the glorification of God as a way to gain knowledge, it also considers self-restraint and stopping it from engaging with the body as a necessary thing to gain knowledge. Also he believes that providing a moral model, reasoned education and avoiding imposition, and strengthening critical thinking are Qurʾān's educational methods that are compatible with these principles.