The Issue of the Source of Political Knowledge: Epistemological Foundations of Secular and Islamic Political Thought

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Modern political theories have been shaped largely on a secular epistemological foundation, defining the source of political knowledge in terms of human reason, historical experience, and social consensus. This approach deliberately separates the political sphere from metaphysical references and grounds normative order in rational, worldly criteria. Secular epistemology has played a decisive role in numerous fundamental issues, ranging from the legitimacy of the modern state to the rule of law and the boundaries of the public sphere. In contrast, Islamic political thought approaches political knowledge through a holistic and normative framework that integrates revelation, reason, and experience. Within this perspective, political knowledge is not merely instrumental; it embodies moral and normative dimensions. Politics is understood as a domain intrinsically intertwined with law, ethics, and religious norms, where political legitimacy is secured through criteria such as justice, public welfare, and moral responsibility. This study aims to comparatively examine the epistemological assumptions of secular (particularly John Rawls and Jürgen Habermas) and Islamic (Abū Manṣūr al-Māturīdī, Imam al-Ghazālī, and Ibn Khaldūn) political thought. The analysis seeks to reveal how these two traditions differ in the way they ground political order and the legitimacy of authority. Furthermore, the study provides a framework for future research on how differing epistemological foundations impact political crises and normative uncertainties.

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