as God Almighty has said: ﴿أُولَئِكَ كَالْأَنْعَامِ بَلْ هُمْ أَضَلُّ ۚ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْغَافِلُونَ﴾[1]; “They are like cattle, but rather they are more astray; they are indeed the unaware ones.”

In view of this fact, the only thing that can be the criterion of cognition for the human being is “the intellect”; because the intellect is the only means for the human being’s cognition, and there is no perceptive faculty other than the intellect in his self. In other words, there is no substitute for the intellect to be equivalent to it and can suffice from it, and this is a perceptible and conscientious matter. Moreover, the human being’s cognition is practically done by the intellect, and neither his satisfaction nor dislike has any effect on this reality; because this fact is the inherent characteristic of the human being and the creation of the Wise Lord, and therefore, it is not possible for the human being to change it. In this way, the intellect is the main and the most basic foundation of cognition, and any cognition that does not lead directly or indirectly to the intellect is meaningless. Other foundations, if they exist, return to the intellect themselves; because they are not known without the intellect and have no use except for intellectuals; as Sharia, although very useful, is itself known by the intellect, addresses only intellectuals and has said as an example: ﴿فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ يَا أُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ﴾[2]; “Fear God, O you owners of intellects, so that you may gain salvation,” and said: ﴿إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لَآيَاتٍ لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ﴾[3]; “Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day, there are signs for owners of intellects,” and said: ﴿إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ﴾[4]; “Only owners of intellects take heed.”

Unity of the intellect

The intellect is a unique gem that is common among the children of Adam and considered the foundation of their individual free will and social responsibility and the link of their communication with each other, and since it has one origin, it has unitary perceptions as well, and there is no disagreement among its individuals.