Epistemic Mapping of Prophethood and Philosophy in the Thought of Al-Farabi Reconstructing the Relationship between Revelation and Reason in Islamic Intellectual Tradition

Abstrak

This study aims to analyze the relationship between prophethood (nubuwwah) and philosophy in the intellectual system of Al-Farabi through an epistemic mapping approach. This research employs a qualitative method based on library research, drawing primarily from Al-Farabi’s major works alongside relevant secondary sources. The findings reveal that Al-Farabi does not perceive revelation and reason as contradictory; rather, he situates them within a unified hierarchical epistemological framework. Prophethood represents the highest form of knowledge attained through intellectual emanation, while philosophy constitutes a rational path toward the same truth. Therefore, the relationship between the prophet and the philosopher is complementary rather than dichotomous. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the integration of knowledge in Islamic intellectual tradition and its relevance for contemporary Islamic epistemology.