Rationalism and Empiricism in Islamic Philosophy: A Comprehensive Study of Al-Razi’s Epistemological Framework

Abstract

Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi, known in the West as Rhazes, represents a unique synthesis of a rigorous scientist and a free-thinking philosopher in the classical Islamic tradition. Despite his monumental contributions to medicine and chemistry, his philosophical stance—characterized by pure rationalism and the "Five Eternals" theory—has often led to controversial labels, including charges of being a mulhid (atheist). This study aims to provide a comprehensive reconstruction of al-Razi’s epistemological framework, exploring the interplay between his empirical methodology and his philosophical style. This research employs a qualitative library research method with a descriptive-analytical approach. Data were gathered from primary and secondary academic sources, analyzed through inductive reasoning to identify core patterns in al-Razi’s thought. The findings reveal that al-Razi’s epistemology is grounded in three primary sources: logic, the tradition of predecessors, and instinct. His methodology, particularly evidenced in his magnum opus al-Hawi, demonstrates an early form of positivism that prioritizes clinical observation and experimental verification over blind adherence to authority. Furthermore, his intellectual style is a hybrid of Epicureanism, Aristotelianism, and Naturalism, emphasizing a balance between theocentric and anthropocentric paradigms. Al-Razi’s rationalism does not signify a denial of God but rather an exaltation of the intellect as a divine gift. This study concludes that al-Razi should be viewed as a "free thinker" whose empirical rigor and systematic logic provided a foundational blueprint for both Islamic and Western medical and philosophical advancements.