In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful The Bestower of Mercy
Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah) said that Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah said:
Those philosophers (i.e. the ones upon atheism) are neither acquainted with what the Messengers came with nor (even close to being acquainted with) it; rather the disbelievers amongst the Jews and Christians (1) are more knowledgeable than them in the affairs of theology.
And there is no difference between the sound transmitted sources of knowledge and the sound rational sources of knowledge which the Messengers came with. These rational and legislative religious affairs of theology are those affairs whose fragrance they have neither smelled nor are there in their science that which directs to it. And regarding that which the Messengers have been specifically given of knowledge and through which they transmit news of the unseen, then this affair is too great to be mentioned (in order to demonstrate) its (absolute) preponderance over philosophy. And if it is the case that the philosophers have no means to (understanding and acquiring) the loftiest affair of knowledge through their methodology, as has been established, reported and acknowledged, then this necessitates two affairs:
Firstly: They have no proof (to justify) what they have belied, and regarding which there is no evidence in their analogical deductions (to support their denial).
Secondly: In comparison between what they are acquainted with and what they are ignorant of, then what they know is far lesser than what they are ignorant of. So how about when it is known that (the little they know) can neither bring about salvation nor happiness in (this life and the next).
The Messenger [Muhammad (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)] related news of specific affairs, such as the (affair) of Nooh (alayhis-salaam), his discourse with his people and his specific circumstances; the (news) about Ibraaheem and his specific circumstances, and the (news) about Moosaa and Esaa (alayhimas-salaam) and their specific circumstances. And there is neither anything in their analogical deductions nor in their proofs or other than that to make them acquainted with the (news of these specific events related by the Prophet Muhammad). For indeed, their analogical deductions do not bring about benefit except from general affairs and this (news related by the Prophet) is about specific affairs.
Likewise, he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) gave news of what took place in the past and what is to take place in future of specific affairs after his (departure). And he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) even gave news about the Tartars (i.e. the Turkic and Mongolian peoples of central Asia) from different angles in the narration found in the Saheehayn: He (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ‘’The hour will not be established till you fight against the Turks, who will be small-eyed, flat-nosed, and their faces will look like shields coated with leather.’’ [See Saheeh Al-Bukhaari: Vol: 4; Hadeeth Numbers: 2927, 2928 and 2929] So, do their analogical deductions and evidences give an illustration of specific human beings or a specific nation, let alone describing them with such descriptions about seven hundred years before their appearance?!
Likewise, he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) gave news of the fire that appeared in the year 655AH and all the other affairs of the past, future and present, which they know cannot be known through evidences of analogical deductions and other than it. For indeed, those (evidences of analogical deductions) are based on a general affair and not on something specific affairs.
And the philosophers neither possesses that which can negate the existence of what some of the people were specifically associated with in the unseen, such as Angels and Jinn, nor do they possess that which can negate the affair of incorporeal beings taking a bodily form until becoming clearly perceived and other affairs similar to this. They do not possess anything or other proofs that can negate these affairs that have been established from the news related by the Prophets, rather (they reject these affairs) out of sheer ignorance. Indeed, they have denied the knowledge whereof they could not comprehend and what has not yet been fulfilled (i.e. their punishment), even though in general the leading philosophers and doctors confirm these (affairs). (Indeed) the path of those atheists does not make a distinction between truth and falsehood as opposed to the path of the Prophets. (2)
Allaah (The Most High) said:
‘’Nay, they have denied the knowledge whereof they could not comprehend and what has not yet been fulfilled (i.e. their punishment)’’ [10:39] They belied the Qur’aan and did not ponder upon it, nor (did they examine) the end result of that which it promises of punishment (for the deniers). (3)
References:
[1]Those Jews who disbelieve in Esaa and Muhammad and did not follow them. And those Christians who disbelieved by changing the true religion of Esaa, then they disbelieved in Muhammad and did not follow him.
[2]Source: Al-Adillatul Qawaatiq Wal-Baraaheen Fee Ibtaali Usoolil Mulhideen: page: 25-26
[3]Qurratul Aynayn Alaa Tafseer Al-Jalaalayn
Translated by: Abu Mu-aawiyyah (Abdullaah al-Gambi)