The Role of Revealed Knowledge in the Formation of Islamic Social Systems: An Analysis of Al-Farabi’s Thoughts

Abstract

This article explores the role of revealed knowledge in the formation and guidance of Islamic social systems from the perspective of Al-Farabi. As one of the most prominent Islamic philosophers, Al-Farabi emphasizes the importance of revelation as the primary source of societal guidance and seeks to establish a synergistic relationship between revealed and rational knowledge. In his theory of the "Virtuous City," he presents revealed knowledge as a divine source for directing society towards justice, social cohesion, and happiness. This study analyzes Al-Farabi’s thoughts on social systems, examining the impacts of revealed knowledge on the key components of Islamic society. It also references historical examples of implementing revealed principles during the Islamic Caliphate and provides a comparative analysis of Islamic and non-Islamic social systems. The findings indicate that Al-Farabi regards revealed knowledge as essential for the establishment of laws and social structures and believes that community leaders must possess this knowledge to effectively guide society towards perfection. Simultaneously, he underscores the importance of integrating revealed knowledge with human rationality. This study further offers suggestions for future research on the role of revealed knowledge in contemporary societies and investigates its impacts on the social and political structures of Islamic communities.