REVISITING CRITICAL THINKING THROUGH QURANIC LENS

Abstract

Despite the widespread emphasis on teaching critical thinking at international universities, there is a growing concern that graduates are inadequately prepared to navigate the complexities of contemporary crises, revealing significant shortcomings in conventional approaches to critical thinking education. Through comparative text analysis, this study examines the concept of critical thinking through a Quranic perspective, highlighting the integration of ethical, moral, and spiritual dimensions into the traditional critical thinking frameworks. The Quranic perspective acknowledges the existence of knowledge beyond the empirical and physically observable world, urging a recognition of the limitations of human intellect. The study presents a more holistic approach to critical thinking drawing on Quranic teachings to enrich contemporary understanding and practice. By exploring the Quran's emphasis on ethical reasoning, reflective and strategic thinking, restraint and self-control as elements of sound critical thinking, the study identifies both convergences and divergences with Western models of critical thinking. The findings of the Quran's unique contributions to critical thinking include the integration of spirituality for autonomous critical thinking, a holistic approach to reasoning, the central role of the heart in thinking, and the importance of character-building for sound judgment. The research aims to foster a more integrated approach to critical thinking presenting a set of Islamic critical insights that encompass not only intellectual but also spiritual and moral capacities, challenging current educational paradigms and advocating for a comprehensive development that prioritizes character-building together with technical skills such as awareness of cognitive biases and heuristics.