One of the most common criticisms directed at those who encourage people to read and reflect on the Qur'an for themselves is:
“You want to exclude scholars.”
Or:
“You believe a person can do without teachers.”
But this is a misunderstanding of our position.
We are not opposed to teachers, scholars, or learning from the experience of others. On the contrary, the knowledge of previous generations can be of tremendous benefit. The real question is: who bears the ultimate responsibility for a person's faith?
The Qur'an's answer is simple: the individual himself.
No One Will Answer on Our Behalf
The Qur'an repeatedly emphasizes personal responsibility:
“No bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another.” (6:164)
“Every person is held in pledge for what he has earned.” (74:38)
On the Day of Judgment, a person will not be able to say:
“I was only repeating what my teacher taught me.”
Or:
“This is what my school of thought taught me.”
Every individual will answer personally for their beliefs, decisions, and actions.
That is why reflecting on religion is not a privilege reserved for a select few—it is a responsibility for every believer.
Teachers Are Important, But They Do Not Replace Thinking
Sometimes a false choice is presented:
-
either follow scholars;
-
or think independently.
In reality, this is a false opposition.
A person can study the works of scholars, listen to teachers, read commentaries, and ask questions. In fact, doing so is often useful and necessary.
But there is a significant difference between learning and blind submission.
A teacher helps explain and clarify the material. A teacher does not become a source of revelation.
The Great Imams Themselves Were Examples of Independent Thinking
Interestingly, the founders of the major legal schools were themselves independent thinkers.
Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam al-Shafi‘i, and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal were not born with ready-made answers. They studied, compared, analyzed, and reached conclusions.
Moreover, many of them explicitly warned people against following them blindly.
For this reason, it is strange to use their names as an argument against reflection. It was precisely through reflection and reasoning that they became the figures remembered by history.
The Qur'an Encourages Consulting Those Who Know
At the same time, the Qur'an does not promote arrogance or encourage people to assume they know everything.
Allah says:
“Ask those who possess knowledge if you do not know.” (16:43)
This is an important principle.
When a person does not understand something, they should consult those who know more.
But the verse does not say:
“Hand over responsibility for your thinking to them.”
It says:
“Ask.”
Seeking knowledge and blind obedience are not the same thing.
Why It Is Important to Begin With the Qur'an
The Qur'an occupies a unique position because it is the text Allah promised to preserve:
“Indeed, We have sent down the Reminder, and surely We will preserve it.” (15:9)
For this reason, the Qur'an serves as the foundation through which everything else should be evaluated.
Reading the Qur'an raises questions, encourages reflection, and helps a person understand the broader principles of religion.
After that, one may study tafsir, scholarly works, historical materials, and hadith while always having a foundation to return to for verification.
Without such a foundation, there is a risk of confusing human opinions with the religion itself.
Mistakes Are Part of the Journey
Some people fear thinking independently because they fear making mistakes.
But making a mistake is not, in itself, a crime.
People learn through searching, questioning, examining, and correcting their views.
Far more dangerous is the state in which a person completely abandons independent thought and merely repeats the words of others without attempting to understand them.
The Qur'an repeatedly appeals to human reason and encourages reflection. That would make little sense if people were only expected to mechanically repeat the conclusions of others.
Not All Teachers Are the Same
It is also important to avoid the opposite extreme—assuming that all scholars and teachers are part of some system of control.
The Islamic world contains many sincere and conscientious teachers.
They do not fear questions.
They do not forbid people from reading the Qur'an for themselves.
They are willing to acknowledge mistakes.
They help people grow rather than replacing their ability to think.
A good teacher does not ask someone to turn off their mind. A good teacher helps them learn how to use it properly.
Conclusion
This is not about opposing scholars or rejecting the knowledge of previous generations.
It is about personal responsibility.
Every Muslim can learn from others, ask questions, seek advice, and study different opinions. But the final decision is still their own.
In this sense, every person already acts independently—even the one who chooses to follow someone else. After all, the decision to follow is itself a personal choice.
The real question is not whether a person has personal responsibility.
The question is whether they use it consciously.
