This article is responding to a young Muslimah AMUST-writer who requested I “provide advice on developing articles useful in urging people to think and build more informed opinions.”
There are strong reasons to encourage Muslims to take-up journalism to present the noble Islamic perspective. Firstly, because Islam represents the shining beacon of truth for all humanity till the end of time.
Secondly, as Islam and Muslims have been the brunt of a well-orchestrated global campaign of misrepresentation and bias, we need to reassert and clarify its universal message.
Guidance is provided by “Strengthening Critical Thinking Skills among Muslim Students” by AbdulKarim (Islam and Civilisational Renewal 2010), Critical Thinking by Bassham (2011) and Newswriter’s Handbook by Stein/Paterno (2006).
Islam is a ‘religion of reason’. Al-Qur’an encourages reason and frequently uses expressions ‘those who use their intellect’ (ya’qiluun), ‘those who think’ (yatafakkaruun), ‘those who understand (yafqahuun)’ (AbdulKarim):
“We revealed a book in which is a message for you: Will you not then use reason (ta’qiluun)?” (Quran 21:10)
“Will they not ponder (yatadabbaruun) on the Qur’an?” (Quran 47:24)
It censures people who don’t think: “The worst of beasts in God’s sight are the deaf and dumb, those who understand not.” (Quran 8:22)
While thinking facilitates the expression of theories, views or policies, critical thinking (CT) evaluates them. CT can identify faulty argumentation and helps develop a position free of contradictions. CT protects against deception. It aims to strengthen certainty (yaqin) of knowledge.
All arguments attempt to provide reasons for thinking some claim is true/real: how things really are. “Critical thinkers [should] recognize that truth is objective, not relative.” (Bowell/Kemp)
Khurshid Ahmad highlighted the need for CT in regeneration of the Ummah. Taqlid or ‘indiscriminate imitation’ is “held to be the single most damaging cause of decline of CT among Muslims.”
CT can identify causes of social decline and prescribe remedies for its regeneration based on Islam. Al-Qur’an refers to itself as a criterion (furqan). Islam teaches what to accept and reject, what is right and true (haqq) or wrong (batil).
Islamic CT uses revealed knowledge as the criterion for differentiating right/wrong and so differs from ‘Western’ CT, which accords with only empirically-verifiable knowledge. (AbdulKarim)
CT insists on evidence before something is accepted as true. Substantiating claims with evidence helps achieve justice. Al-Qur’an admonishes:
“O you who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest you harm people unwittingly.” (Quran 49:6)
It advises to verify reports and not jump to conclusions driven by a desire, as this can cause injustice. (AbdulKarim)
Suriyakhatun Osman observes, “CT is thinking as clearly as we can, avoiding faulty thinking.” Critical thinkers are analytical, self-confident and inquisitive. “There will be things we perceive to be true that turn out to be untrue.”
One important CT quality is intellectual courage – “the ability to think and voice unpopular thoughts. This is the Path of all Prophets and Reformers.”
CT covers a “range of skills needed to identify, analyze, and evaluate arguments and truth claims; to … overcome personal preconceptions/biases; to formulate/present convincing reasons in support of conclusions; and make intelligent decisions about what to believe and do.
CT is governed by standards of clarity, precision, accuracy, relevance, consistency, logical correctness and fairness.” Critical thinkers exhibit traits of disciplined thinking: honesty; intellectual humility; open-mindedness; perseverance, love of truth and sensitivity to ways CT can be skewed by egocentrism, cultural centrism, unwarranted assumptions, stereotypes and wishful thinking. (Bassham)
To remove bias, a writer should “Stand firmly for justice, as witness to God, even against yourselves, or parents or kin, and whether it be against the rich or poor.” (4:135)
The Core Process critical thinkers use: First, they address a question/problem; second, they think it through using reasoning elements; third, they reason-out aspects of the issue based on the relevant discipline; fourth, they monitor their reasoning using CT standards.
Understanding requires seeing the whole and parts in perspective.
CT involves analysis, synthesis, evaluation. Analysis breaks things down into its components, such as the reasoning elements (below), and reviews the topic on the basis of each. Synthesis brings reasoning together and helps decide on a course(s) of action. (Nosich)
Good reasoning is drawing conclusions based on reasons, giving due weight to: implications of those conclusions, assumptions used, accuracy of the reasons, and standards.
When we reason, 10 elements exist: (1) Purpose (intention, desired outcome) (2) Question at Issue (problem, topic) (3) Context (4) Viewpoint (5) Assumptions (background, what is given) (6) Implications/Consequences (7) Information (8) Concepts (9) Conclusions/Interpretations (10) Alternatives.
Arguments and premises. Logical arguments are used to suggest the truth or elucidate a faulty claim. They are composed of propositions (theses/premises) that can be true (or false) and serve as grounds for accepting the argument.
In CT, an argument is a claim defended with reasons. Arguments comprise premises and a conclusion. Premises are statements offered as evidence/reasons why we should accept a statement/conclusion.
Deductive arguments claim to provide logical grounds demonstrating their conclusions must be true. An example is my AMUST #202 article: “Beyond Deception: Seeking truth and justice for 9/11.”
An Inductive argument argues from specific observations to a general conclusion, ie the way opposite to a deductive argument. Inductive arguments claim their conclusions are likely true. (Bassham)
In evaluating an inductive conclusion ask: Are the premises true? Is the sample observed large enough and representative?
Science seeks to describe, explain and predict occurrences in the natural world by observation/experiment. Science is the most reliable method for discovering empirically-verifiable truths.
But science cannot answer many important questions about meaning and value. Western science is notably weak/deficient in rejecting the existence of unseen realms (al-ghayb) undetected by physical senses (Sheldrake).
Evaluating arguments and truth claims often utilizes empirical or sense data/perceptions.
Islam recognizes a higher form of perception – the heart (fu’ad/qalb), including intuition (ilham). While ‘the unseen’ cannot be observed by the senses, it can be intuitively perceived by the ‘heart.’
A good argument is one that satisfies CT standards. To refute an argument we should show the premises do not support the conclusion or that the reasoning is bad.
Intellectual resources for an article include an author’s background knowledge, critical concepts and logical arguments. Use libraries and internet search engines to find the best information available. Human sources can often provide quick answers to questions and in-depth knowledge.
Evaluating sources means asking questions about the information you uncover. Separate facts from opinions. Ask “Who is the publisher or sponsor?” “What is the author’s bias/purpose?” “What is the agenda behind this?” “What do those creating this know or don’t know?” “What else might I need to know?” “Is the reasoning on display good?”
Extracting principles/generalizing involves discarding what is unimportant.
Writing an Article involves the following:
Identify the Topic. It should be timely, relevant, with good data available on the issue.
Research the Topic. Know yourself, your audience and your topic well. Conduct research to ground your article in reliable facts. Include statistics, quotes by well-known people, definitions, anecdotes. Identify sources, especially if involving well-known personalities or in crediting others’ work. Test multiple hypotheses on some matters; seek the Truth that best fits the facts; then strengthen it with more evidence.
Preparing the Article. The article structure involves identifying the main points, formulating a thesis statement, then constructing a logical Outline. An Outline often contains: Lead (1-2 paragraphs), which sums up the story focus; orients readers by telling them something surprising; entices them to continue reading.
Impact (1 paragraph) answers how this will affect the reader. Reaction/Response (1 paragraph). Cosmic quote sums up story’s focus (1 paragraph). Background (1 paragraph). Explication of lead, including facts, quotes, and anecdotes supporting the story’s focus. Concluding statement, with suggested action(s) to address the issue. (Stein/Paterno)
I Google search and use my library to read widely around the topic taking in differing perspectives. I need to fully understand the matter to develop approaches/solutions.
I underline important paragraphs, lines, points; transfer excerpts to a single Word document, then categorise and sort the material into subject headings for my article. I add my comments to stress relationships of this material to the article topic.
Start focusing on your topic so you cover the issue within the word limit. If writing an argument, provide a statement of your central claim and organize your material so your readers recognize your premises. Defend your central claim. Identify any weak points, then strengthen them or change one’s original proposition.
Convey a strong link/authority related to your subject, even using a first-person voice if your personal story resonates. When crafting it, ask yourself what’s new, fresh, timely. Your success in an argument is measured by how well you defend your claim and how fair, accurate, honest you are in presenting your case. Strive to present the most rational evenhanded presentation.
Writing the Article. Present yourself as humane and generous. Preserve meaning but prune ruthlessly. Use simple clear language. Say what you mean. Choose active over passive voice.
Craft transitions using a few words or sentence to link related ideas. In controversial areas ensure evidence you provide is from public sources to minimise personal statements. Reference significant sourced information. Avoid loaded words; a well-crafted story allows facts speak for themselves.
Generally write in the third person using a conversational tone, as if you’re addressing someone you know well. Don’t lecture or antagonize them. Write so ideally, you have buy-in/acceptance from a majority of readers. Identify what people need to do to address the issue.
Be opinionated but back your argument with evidence. Try to foresee and answer readers’ reactions/objections. Think of the outcomes from your article, including how it may restrict you personally or cause litigation.
After you write your article, re-read it and update as needed to improve clarity. Be certain you defended your premises and any assumptions on which your argument is based. Before you publish your final draft, seek advice from someone who might alert you to shortcomings.
Through your sincere writing efforts, may God Almighty engender public enlightenment and beneficial outcomes for the Ummah and humanity-at-large.
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