How Islam Sees The Role and Existence of Human Intellectuals

God gives us ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts, that is the mind located in the heart to distinguish which ones are useful and which are harmful. God also gives us (humans) these pleasures, so that we can worship our Lord. It is this mind that distinguishes us from other beings, so that we have a high and noble position as a divine being.

Humans are the best in the time of jahiliyyah, they are the best after entering Islam, if they become a person who is faqih-that is an expert in the knowledge of Islamic sharia. It is impossible to become a Muslim who truly understands Islamic syarîat correctly, except by making the best use of his mind.

So mind (reason) has an important role to understand a science. Without making the best use of mind, it is very unlikely that someone will become a successful scientist.

It should be noted that some experts divide the mind into two types, namely the intellect of the instinct (basic human ability to think and understand something brought from birth) and the intellect of additional (the ability to think and understand, which formed by experience and knowledge possessed by someone).

If these two minds are gathered together in a human being, then that is a great gift given by God to the servant He wants, the affairs of his life will be good, and happiness will come to him from all directions that he does not expect.

Of course there are differences between the two types of mind above, it does not mean that there is a separation between the intellect of the instinct and the intellect of the instinct of additional. Because the additional intellect basically the intellect of the instinct that has developed with increasing knowledge and experience gained by someone. It could be said, that additional intellect allowed an intellect of the instinct. On the contrary, there is very little instinctual reasoning that does not develop over time.

HUMAN INTELLECTUALITY

Intellect is a great gift that God gives to humans. It is a differentiator between humans and animals, with the intellects they can continue to innovate and build civilization, and with intellects also they are capable of being able to distinguish between the reach of their respective minds.

Because of gift of mind (reason) is very great, Islam outlines teaching / sharia to maintain and develop it, that they:

1. Forbid anything that can eliminate the mind (intelligence), whether food, drink, or action. Also gives a special punishment in the form of a whip, for those who intentionally eat or drink anything intoxicating.
2. Include the mind / reason / intelligence in the five primary things that must be maintained in Islamic syariah, namely: religion, soul, lineage, mind / reason and wealth.
3. Making it the main requirement of taklif (obligation in the Shari'a). Therefore, there is a limit to baligh (the age at which a person has been required to do obligation in the Shari'a), because people who have not been baligh are usually less than perfect. Therefore, all people who lose their minds, are free or fall out of their obligations to run the Shari'a.
4. Encouraging, obliging for the people to study. Then give a high degree to those who have knowledge and practice of their knowledge.
5. Forbid people to read or listen to words, which can mislead them from correct understanding.

So therefore Islam forbids all actions that can damage the mind. That means it is compulsory for a Muslim to maintain his mind from all actions that can damage and eliminate the mind/intellect. So allowing yourself in ignorance includes haram (illegitimate) acts that are forbidden by Islam.

Thak You For Your Time
Best Regards, @ijoel