MISI '10: Slot Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to think, while you are thinking, whether your thinking is a correct thinking or not.

It involves determining the meaning and significance of what is observed or expressed, or, concerning a given inference or argument, determining whether there is adequate justification to accept the conclusion as true.

Critical thinking can occur whenever one judges, decides, or solves a problem; in general, whenever one must figure out what to believe or what to do, and do so in a reasonable and reflective way.

Thus, a critical thinker is one who thinks critically about something. One who wonders about another being. One who questions about the existence of things. One who digs into the mystery of life.



He is someone who is;

1. High Self confident

2. Curious and inquisitive

3. Honest

4. Context alert

5. Open and fair minded

6. Analytical and insightful

7. Logical

8. Reflective and self corrective

Critical thinking is about being both willing and able to evaluate one's thinking.

Thus, a critical thinker must possess specific skills such as;

1. Drawing inference

2. Recognizing assumptions

3. Drawing conclusions

4. Interpreting data

5. Evaluating argument


As he must be someone who;

1. Understand logical connection between ideas

2. Identify, construct and evaluate arguments

3. Detect inconsistencies and common mistakes in reasoning

4. Solve problem systematically

5. Identify the relevance and importance of idea

6. Reflect on the justification of owns belief and values


However, even with knowledge of the methods of logical inquiry and reasoning, mistakes can happen due to a thinker's inability to apply the methods or because of character traits such as egocentrism, ignorance and many others.

Thinking might be criticized due to ignorance or misapplication of the appropriate skills of thinking

Failure to recognize the importance of correct dispositions can lead to various forms of self-deception and closed-mindedness, both individually and collectively.

Critical thinking without essential intellectual traits often results in clever, but manipulative and often unethical or subjective thought.

However, there is no simple way to develop the intellectual traits of a critical thinker. One important way requires developing one's intellectual empathy and intellectual humility.

In addition to this, Islam also encourages critical thinking as it is proven in the Quran;

“And [mention, O Muhammad], when Abraham said to his father Azar, "Do you take idols as deities? Indeed, I see you and your people to be in manifest error."

“And thus did We show Abraham the realm of the heavens and the earth that he would be among the certain [in faith]”

“So when the night covered him [with darkness], he saw a star. He said, "This is my lord." But when it set, he said, "I like not those that disappear.”

“And when he saw the moon rising, he said, "This is my lord." But when it set, he said, "Unless my Lord guides me, I will surely be among the people gone astray."

“And when he saw the sun rising, he said, "This is my lord; this is greater." But when it set, he said, "O my people, indeed I am free from what you associate with Allah .”

“Indeed, I have turned my face toward He who created the heavens and the earth, inclining toward truth, and I am not of those who associate others with Allah ."

[al-an’am : 74 – 75]

In a nutshell, instilling critical thinking skill in every ‘daie’ is vital as it helps in a good and effective decision making in a discussion. Having a critical thinker in a society will help the society develop faster and better. Thus, we must create a healthy environment which supports the development of critical thinkers. However, it is very important to note that, the only difference between a critical thinker and a trouble maker is his ‘adab’ or the way he convey his ideas to other people. A good critical thinker is the one who is being critical in a polite and honest manner, while a trouble maker just post and ask question to downgrade other people around him.

Delivered by:

Dr Harlina Halizah Hj Siraj

(Vice Presiden of Jamaah Islah Malaysia)

15th of June 2010 in MISI 2010

Reported by:

Nadhirah Abdul Rahman

as at 2nd of July 2010 for Karisma Daerah Gombak