Types of Bayani, Irfani, and Burhani Reasoning and Their Relevance to Islamic Education

Abstract

In the study of thought, Islam uses at least three methods concerning the theory of knowledge (epistemology), namely bayani, irfani, and burhani, those have a different view of knowledge. This library research aims to explain these three methods of reasoning in Islam and their relevance to Islamic education. The study results showed that the bayani method is the most dominant method of reasoning used in Islamic education. The Islamic style of thought of the bayani model (relying on the text) is very domineering and hegemonic in the tradition and teaching of Islamic science, so it is difficult to dialogue with the epistemological traditions of irfani and burhani let alone tajribi. As a result, the pattern of Islamic thought of the bayani model became rigid. The authority of the text, the primary source in the epistemology of bayani reason that is standardized in the rules, is dominant and preceded than other scientific sources such as nature, reason, and intuition. The following result of the dominance of this bayani reason is to make the Islamic religious epistemological system less respectful and concerned about contemporary issues experienced by Muslims because of the difficulty of escaping from the shadow of the dominance of the text. Nevertheless, each method of the three methods has advantages and disadvantages and characteristics that become the characteristics of each.