Through Force or Faith? — Page 213
Chapter 5 Faith and Reason: Islamic Perspective by Naveed H ameed In this chapter, we shall present the subject of reason and faith from the Islamic perspective. We shall analyse the question what Islam says about the transcendence of God with reference to the Pope’s criticism. In addition, according to Islam, can God give a commandment that is contrary to reason? And, what are the Quranic teachings about voluntarism, freewill, and predestina- tion. Moreover, we shall discuss the excerpt from the writing of Ibn H azm, which is quoted by the Pope in his discourse. Transcendence Before we discuss the relationship between reason and rationality and the Islamic concept of God, it is important to define ‘tran- scendence’, which is alluded to by the Pope. The term ‘transcend- ence’ begs explanation (the Pope has not considered it necessary to describe it). The word ‘transcendence’ is derived from the Latin verb ‘transcendere’, which means to cross a boundary or go past it. Therefore, when the word ‘transcendence’ is used with regard to