Philosophical and Interpretive Analysis of the Role of Revelation in Quranic Epistemology: A Comparative Study with Western Philosophical Tradition

Abstract

This article presents a comparative study of revelatory epistemology in the Quran and Western philosophy, focusing on the role of revelation in shaping philosophical and intellectual systems. In Quranic epistemology, revelation is recognized as a divine source that transcends human reason and experience, playing a crucial role in guiding individuals toward truth and spiritual perfection. This perspective is clearly reflected in the works of Islamic philosophers such as Avicenna and Mulla Sadra, who introduce revelation and reason as complementary sources of knowledge. Conversely, in Western philosophy, especially since the Enlightenment, revelation has been less regarded as an independent source of knowledge, with philosophy constructed primarily upon reason and experience. Philosophers like Descartes and Kant sought to establish a strict distinction between reason and revelation, limiting human knowledge to rational and experiential domains. This article highlights that, despite the fundamental differences between Quranic epistemology and Western philosophy, both traditions emphasize the importance of reason in understanding. It further analyzes the epistemological differences between these two traditions and provides suggestions for future research in the field of comparative studies among various religious and philosophical traditions. The findings of this research can contribute to the development of philosophical dialogues between Islamic and Western traditions and pave the way for expanding comparative studies in philosophy and epistemology.