Affirming the Pre-eminence of Revelation in Islam: Is Tradition Revelation?

By Leslie Terebessy

The relationship between revelation and tradition is not well understood in Islam. Traditional epistemology permitted unwarranted perceptions, enabled by recourse to a faulty exegesis and jurisprudence, to warp the knowledge of revelation. The corruption of knowledge was triggered by a turn from revelation to tradition, assisted by the repression of reason, and the treatment of tradition as "revelation from God." The deterioration of knowledge was exacerbated the reversal of the relationship of revelation and tradition, recourse to the teaching of abrogation, and the replacement of the religion of reconciliation by a religion of confrontation. These require attention. The turn from revelation to tradition was triggered by political factors. The repression of reason or "intellectual suicide" engendered a "tradition of intellectual retardation." The subordination of revelation to tradition is expressed in the perception that tradition "judges" revelation, and that tradition may "abrogate" and even "replace" parts of revelation. Failure to engage reason to understand revelation resulted in the perception of revelation as in parts "unclear," "incomplete," and "incoherent." But the Book of Allah presents itself as "clear," "fully detailed," and "free contradictions." The characterizations of the Book of Allah as "unclear," "incomplete," and "contradictory" denigrate the Book, presenting its Author as "blurred," "forgetful," and even "incoherent." These characterizations are less than respectful. To justify recourse to tradition to "clarify" and "detail" revelation, tradition is treated as a "second revelation from Allah." But treating tradition as a "judge" of revelation, is problematic. For it reverses the relationship between revelation and tradition. It subordinates revealed rulings to the rulings of persons. It treats persons as "higher" authorities than God. This is an expression of shirk, subordinating the Book of Allah to non-revealed texts. Tradition is expected to reflect revelation. What triggered the reversal of the relationship between tradition and revelation? The turn from revelation to tradition was triggered by the requirement to reinterpret revelation to endorse territorial expansion in for the "propagation" of Islam through war, prohibited in revelation. Regrettably, as a result of the politicization of revelation, differences emerged between the teaching of the Book of Allah and the teaching of the books of traditions. The chasm between revelation and tradition is reflected in the different punishments in revelation and tradition for adultery and apostasy. Revelation prescribes lashes but tradition prescribes stoning to death an extreme punishment. Revelation prescribes no earthly punishment for apostasy, but tradition prescribes the death penalty. Tradition treats apostasy as a political transgression - treason - rather than as a sin, punishable in the hereafter. Tradition drifted from revelation and became an "independent" root of legislation, able to abrogate and replace parts of revelation. What is the significance of the gap? Are traditions true to revelation? An examination reveals a divergence. There was a break of tradition from revelation. The separation was expedited and reinforced by the repression of reason. The sacralization of tradition produced a parallel religion: political Islam. Political Islam is based on the "abrogation" of the verses of reconciliation by the "verses of the sword." This provided the foundation for the articulation of the teaching of jihad al-talab. The separation of tradition from revelation is producing trauma in the umma. The umma is wedged between revelation and tradition. The ways of the predecessors are treated as "authoritative." Thus, it is urgent to restore the preeminence of revelation in relation to all tradition. The return to revelation, enabled by the rehabilitation and engagement of reason, should enable the renewal of Islam as an authentic Abrahamic faith.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B093RMYGNW
• ISBN13: 9798747142978
• Release Date: May 2021
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 202 Pages
• Weight: 0.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"