What has been more influential in human history – human intellect and innovation or Divine revelation and prophetic mission?

This article will critically analyze the argument for and against each position.

Throughout the ages, Divine revelation and prophetic mission have influenced the lives of countless humans and shaped the story of humanity. The human intellect as well as the innovations it has produced, have likewise contributed and influenced the course of human history. This article will endeavor to establish which of the two has influenced humanity most. In doing so it will be argued that Religious influence has always been and still remains intrinsically entwined in almost every facet of the human life and in most instances has laid the foundations and paved the way for human intellectual excellence and innovation. 

The human being has unique abilities that distinguish it from all other species. Mankind has the ability to acquire wisdom and attempt to understand and make sense of the world around them. This is all part of the human’s intellect which is defined by “Colom,” as one’s ability to find solutions to difficult and complex issues, to use one’s logic and to gain knowledge through various means including experience. He further quotes “Carl Bereiter's” definition of intelligence as being the mechanism humans use when confronted with something unknown. These descriptions are considered to be the key essential elements that define human intellect. Therefore, the human can only progress, develop and innovate through the faculty of intellect.

It is this characteristic of intellect that has given man the ability to decipher and solve problems which has led to the formation of influential inventions and innovations over time. “Innovation is the introduction of new ideas, methods, or things,”  according to Collins dictionary. Our innovational abilities have set us apart from all others in creation and unlike other creatures we have the ability to record writings about our species, attain electronics and construct multi-story buildings. However, all this reason and wise judgement has been used nowhere more so than in the realm of Divine revelation and prophetic mission.

Divine revelation is a communication to humans from their omnipotent creator God through a prophet, which is a highly esteemed human being, chosen by God to convey His message. One such example is that of prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was sent with the message of Islam (submission to one God). “Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) conveyed to us the Quran, which is the greatest and final revelation from Allah (God). He also taught us the wisdom to understand the application of the Quran through his lifestyle, which is called Sunnah; whereby he demonstrated to us on how the Quran should be understood and how it should be applied.” This message encompasses every facet of the human’s life, much like all previous prophetic communications to humans, and provides answers for people on various topics ranging from man’s origin to the formation of the universe. Furthermore, prophetic missions aided the reformation of communal ills such as bad conduct and behaviors even dealing with issues such as the rights of spouses and curing various other human sicknesses. However alongside Divine revelation, human intellect and innovation have likewise influenced humanity and the various facets of their lives throughout the ages.

Many philosophers, musicians, poets, Politician’s and similar figures have also played crucial roles in the lives of many and have heavily influenced societies over the course of time. Ancient philosophical thought has impacted greatly on certain elements of society, “Aristotle’s influence on Western thought in the humanities and social sciences is largely considered unparalleled, with the exception of his teacher Plato’s contributions, and Plato’s teacher Socrates before him.” A casual look at poles that record the “Most Significant Figures in History” will exemplify who humanity deems has had the most impact on their societies and “… a quarter of them are philosophers or major religious figures, plus eight scientists/inventors, thirteen giants in literature and music, and three of the greatest artists of all time.” Although, there are some Religious figures that make the list, namely prophet Jesus pbuh and prophet Muhammad pbuh, the overwhelming majority come from varied disciplines and branches of society. An example of some figures who were in the top ten are “1. Jesus 2. Napoleon 3. Muhammad 4. William Shakespeare 5. Abraham Lincoln … 7. Adolf Hitler … 10. Thomas Jefferson.” Non-religious intellectuals and innovators appear to predominately outweigh that of the religious ones in the above example. One could therefore, logically argue that they have had a more significant impact and influence on society than that of the latter.

Many of the intellectual and innovational achievements accomplished throughout human history, can be attributed to the greatest thinkers over the centuries. “… no innovation did more for the spread and democratization of knowledge than Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press.” “The printing press proved so influential in prompting revolutions, religious upheaval and scientific thought that Mark Twain would later write, “What the world is today, good and bad, it owes to Gutenberg.” Another innovation that would re-shape the world was that of an advanced process for manufacturing steel called the “Bessemer Process,” all the steel infrastructure in the world can be attributed to this discovery. Additionally, the invention of eyeglasses created to help those with vision deficiencies evolved and opened the way to many new discoveries such as microscopes and telescopes which greatly aided other similarly related disciplines. These inventions transformed and helped shape the world we now live in. But were these innovations randomly spurred on by the intellect and intelligence of one individual or were their discoveries influenced by the legacies and foundations of previous nations and individuals before them? 

Those of faithful inclination are equally responsible for much of humanities innovational and intellectual achievements. For they are motivated by their faith to excel and use their God given faculty of intellect to promote positive and beneficial change. A verse of the Quran, commands men and women of faith to learn, 

Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists), Has created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous, Who has taught (the writing) by the pen [the first person to write was Prophet Idrees (Enoch)], Has taught man that which he knew not. Nay! Verily, man does transgress all bounds (in disbelief and evil deed, etc.). Because he considers himself self-sufficient. Surely! Unto your Lord is the return.

“Great Muslim men and women of the past – mathematicians, astronomers, chemists, physicians, architects, engineers, economists, sociologists, artists, artisans, and educators – expressed their religiosity through beneficial contributions to society and humanity.” Monotheistic Religions deem the act of seeking knowledge and its impartment, to bring about good, as highly meritorious and worthy of much reward. “The one who points the way to something good is like the one who does it. When the knowledgeable person dies, his reward with Allaah [sic] does not cease when he dies, rather it continues to increase so long as people benefit from his knowledge.” Monotheistic faiths, encourage their adherents to strive and struggle in every facet of their lives in order to achieve excellence, whereby promoting positive influences and experiences on all society.

Divine revelation and prophetic mission have had a remarkable impact on humanities quest to gain knowledge and influence societies. The Islamic faith encourages all its followers to embark upon the quest of gaining knowledge of their religion but also that of any knowledge that will benefit humanity greatly, one such example is that of medical science. Furthermore,

What is only now becoming clear (to many in the west) is that during the dark ages of medieval Europe, incredible scientific advances were made in the Muslim world. Geniuses in Baghdad, Cairo, Damascus and Cordoba took on the scholarly works of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, Greece, India and China, developing what we would call "modern" science. New disciplines emerged – algebra, trigonometry and chemistry as well as major advances in medicine, astronomy, engineering and agriculture. Arabic texts replaced Greek as the fonts of wisdom, helping to shape the scientific revolution of the Renaissance.

In addition to this are the examples of the great human efforts by Muslims which were influenced by Divine revelation and prophetic mission. One in particular is Ibn al-Haytham, heralded as one of the best scientists of his time. He imparted much knowledge on optics and gave accurate information on how eyesight functions. Also, Al-Idrisi created the most precise world map in the medieval time period which was heavily used by explorers for hundreds of years. Finally, Al-Zahrawi was a surgeon in the 10th century and developed an array of surgical instruments which were very authoritative in the western world and are still used to this day. These examples are a testament to the intellectual and innovational foundations that were laid by previous generations in an effort to please their creator. 

Many believe that Divine revelation and prophetic mission have been the catalyst for spurring the human intellect which has had a direct impact on the human’s ability to flourish and innovate. “… sociologist and author Rodney Stark affirmed: Science was not the work of western secularists or even deists; it was entirely the work of devout believers in an active, conscious, creator God.” Furthermore, “Sarfati” points out that the study of the Gospel paved the way for modern science to flourish, had it not been for such endeavor’s science may not have formulated into what it is today. Additionally, “Hannam” argues that Christians understood that God created everything. They attempted to know more about the natural world in order to marvel in and gain more appreciation for God’s creation. However, in order to do this devout Christians would engage in scientific enquiry. Devout believers over the centuries have contributed enormously to the advancement of mankind. This has been, in most instances, a direct result of their firm beliefs in God and the messages His prophets brought. In spite of this evidence, there are also some who would dispute with this notion.

Although it is difficult to deny that religion has played a positive role in the lives of many there are still some who would disagree. “Nath,” writes of how religion has had a deadening effect on humanities intellect and has held back man from progressing. She believes a religious-less society would enable humanity to better utilize their intellect and prosper. Additionally, it would also aid a life of tranquility with less disagreements and violence. However, despite all her religious objections even she points out that “Almost all the aspects of society including economic and political regions are guided and controlled by it. It formulates human conduct, behavior, social sense morality etc.” This shows that even those who despise religion inadvertently testify to the positive impact it has had on societies. If its effects are as far reaching and as negative as she claims than surely humanity would be living in anarchy but the opposite is quite true. “Messerly,” also echoes somewhat a similar opinion calling for the replacement of backward religious beliefs. He believes that religion is only for the irrational and illusionary and that the more educated among humanity require a world free of religion so as to find the true meaning and purpose to life. These claims are unfounded for religion has helped man escape from the illusionary world and taught humans to excel, to think, to use their intellect and act rationally. 

The obvious testament to this are the countless faithful men and women who have left legacies of inventions and innovations that have influenced and benefited mankind throughout the ages. It has been Divine revelation and prophetic mission that have motivated and inspired them into doing so and moreover given them meaning and purpose. “Al-Suhaym” says,

No matter how impressive and attractive the atheist, materialist schools of thought may be, and no matter how many ideas and theories there may be, individuals and societies can never do without the true religion, they can never answer the needs of body and soul. The further the individual sinks into those ways, the more certain it becomes that he cannot find security or quench his thirst, and that there is no way out except through the true religion. Ernest Renan says: “It is possible that everything we love could disappear and that rational thinking, science and industry could cease to exist, but it is impossible that religion could be eliminated. Rather it will remain as proof that materialistic thought which wants to restrict man to the narrow path of the base life of this world is false.

In conclusion, Divine revelation and prophetic mission have been more influential throughout human history. Religion encompasses every facet of the human’s life whereby reforming both the individual and the societies within which they live. Divine revelation and prophetic missions have motivated and inspired innumerous humans to strive and seek, whereby laying the foundations for both human intellect and innovation to thrive. Innovations can at times be fleeting and seasonal. Likewise, the human intellect can change and evolve over the course time and is always susceptible to decline but revelation and prophetic mission are a staple constant throughout human history.

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