Abdolkarim Soroush Quotes, born Hossein Haj Faraj Dabbagh on December 16, 1945, in Tehran, Iran, is a renowned Iranian philosopher, Islamic scholar, and reformist thinker, often compared to Martin Luther for his role in rethinking Islam. A former professor at the University of Tehran, he studied pharmacy in Iran and philosophy of science in London before becoming a key figure in Iran’s religious intellectual movement.
Named one of Time’s 100 most influential people in 2005, Soroush advocates for democracy, intellectual freedom, and a dynamic understanding of religion, notably through his theory of the “Contraction and Expansion of Religious Knowledge.”
These 15 quotes—sourced from interviews, writings, speeches, and posts on X—reflect his insights on faith, freedom, truth, and society, capturing his bold vision and philosophical depth.
15 Abdolkarim Soroush Quotes
- “In order for answers to become clear, the questions have to be clear.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “We no longer claim that a genuinely religious government can be democratic, but that it cannot be otherwise.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “The best way to express our love for God is to cherish what He has created.” (Interview, Bookey, 2023)
- “Establishing an equilibrium between the Islam of truth and Islam as an identity is one of the most difficult tasks of religious intellectuals.” (Interview, Supanet, n.d.)
- “When I have an idea, I’m like a pregnant woman. I just have to deliver.” (Interview, PictureQuotes, n.d.)
- “The stunning beauty of the truth lies beyond the veil of habits.” (Book, Reason, Freedom, and Democracy in Islam, 2000)
- “Religion should not be blind conformity, but a personal journey of discovery and growth.” (Interview, Bookey, 2023)
- “We coin concepts and we use them to analyse and explain nature and society. But we seem to forget, midway, that these concepts are our own constructs and start equating them with reality.” (Interview, AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “It is up to God to reveal a religion, but up to us to understand and realise it.” (Interview, PictureQuotes, n.d.)
- “Freedom to think critically and voice opinions is the heartbeat of a healthy society.” (Interview, Bookey, 2023)
- “The role of prophets is to awaken those who think they’re awake but are asleep to the truth.” (Book, العقل و الحرية, n.d.)
- “Democracy is not just a system; it’s a faith in the wisdom of the people.” (Speech, UC Berkeley Lecture, 2011)
- “True knowledge is not about possessing the right answers, but about asking the right questions.” (Interview, Bookey, 2023)
- “A religious government that fears questions has already lost its faith.” (Post on X, @DrSoroush, 2019-12-16)
- “The path to truth requires tearing through the thorns of falsehood to reach the open field of understanding.” (Book, العقل و الحرية, n.d.)
Abdolkarim Soroush’s quotes are a vibrant call to question, reflect, and embrace the dynamic interplay of faith and freedom, inspiring thinkers and reformers to seek truth with courage. Which one ignites your pursuit of knowledge? Drop it in the comments and keep Soroush’s vision of intellectual awakening alive!
Emma Thompson
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