Rationalist

In philosophy, rationalism is the epistemological view that "regards reason as the chief source and test of knowledge" or "any view appealing to reason as a source of knowledge or justification". More formally, rationalism is defined as a methodology or a theory "in which the criterion of the truth is not sensory but intellectual and deductive".In an old controversy, rationalism was opposed to empiricism, where the rationalists believed that reality has an intrinsically logical structure. Because of this, the rationalists argued that certain truths exist and that the intellect can directly grasp these truths.

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Al-Shafi'i . Rationalist . Traditionalist

What is the role of Imam Shafi'i in the unification of divergent traditionalist and rationalist schools of thought?

Abbas Di Palma, Shaykh Abbas Di Palma holds a BA and an MA degree in Islamic Studies, and certifications from the Language Institute of Damascus University. He has also studied traditional Islamic sciences in... Answer updated 6 years ago

Shafi'i approach may be seen as a middle way between Hanafi and Maliki methodologies, the former defined at times as "more rational" and the latter "more scriptural". Hanafis definetly allow lot of "intellectual devices" in the process of deriving Islamic law while Malikis limit that process by heavily relying on the practice of the People of Medina. Imam Shafi'i relied on scriptural sources with more emphasis on single-chain reports from the Prophet rather than the practice of the People of Medina; however he limited the Hanafi-like intellectual process, for example by resorting to analogy (qiyas) when necessary but rejecting legal preference (istihsan) and similar tools.

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