Misconceptions often arise among Muslims regarding the theory of knowledge, or what is known academically as the "epistemology of knowledge." When discussing knowledge, one cannot separate epistemology from a school of philosophical discourse about how humans acquire knowledge, the sources of knowledge, and the theories of acquiring knowledge.
If we look back briefly, theories on how to acquire knowledge have been thoroughly discussed by scholars. The problem is the emergence of new theories spearheaded by Western thinkers, resulting in knowledge that, instead of enlightening human minds, confuses and disrupts them. Below, we will discuss the epistemology of knowledge from an Islamic perspective, along with its elaboration.
Regarding the epistemology of science, several genres of books related to the issue have been extensively explored. One such book is "Nafi, Isbat, and Kalam," edited by Ismail al-'Alam, by Dr. Ugi Suharto. Dr. Ugi eloquently outlines the epistemology of science and some of the serious confusion that has arisen among Muslims.
In the book al-Aqaid an-Nasafiyah, one of the books on faith that is a reference for Ahlus-Sunnah wal Jama'ah. This book discusses epistemology, as has been widely discussed in contemporary studies. As a fact, according to Dr. Ugi, for example, the argument āAl-HaqĆ¢iq al-Asya' tsĆ¢bitun wal 'ilm bihĆ¢ mutahaqqiqun khilafan lĆ® ash syufastaiyyahā (The essence of something is tsabit. And our knowledge of that essence is true, unlike the sophists). This statement is a discussion about epistemology.
Furthermore, this IIUM lecturer added the question of how and why humans acquire knowledge, and from what sources it is obtained. First, through the five senses. Second, through al-aqlussalƮm (sound reason). Third, through khabar shadiq (true news). These three methods are used by humans to acquire knowledge. In contemporary language, they are referred to as empirical sources, rational sources, and authoritative sources.
Therefore, humans can gain knowledge by observing, thinking, and receiving news. It can also be said that there are three sources. First, sensory sources, second, intellectual sources, and third, spiritual sources. news. Sight is a symbol of the five senses, hearing is a symbol of sound reason, and reason is a symbol of sound reason. It is clear that knowledge is obtained from these three sources.[1]
Wallahua'lam bis showab
[1] Dr. Ugi Suharto, Nafi, Isbat and Kalam: An Anthology of Postulates of Islamic Thought. Editor, Islamil Al-'Alam, (Bandung: Pimpin and Yogyakarta: Bentala Tamaddun Nusantara Foundation, 2022), 184-186
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