"God spreads out His hands through the night so that He may accept repentance for the offences of the day; and He spreads out His hands through the day so that He may accept repentance for the offences of the night - until the sun rises in the west."
Friday, October 17, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Quit Facebook ...By Carmen Joy King
A pretty interesting article ... The decision to destroy my carefully built-up virtual image came as a result of wanting to enhance my profile.
In march, at the peak of Facebook popularity, I quit. with four swift clicks of the mouse, I canceled my account. Gone was the entire online persona I had created for myself – profile pictures, interests and activities, work history, friends acquired – all carefully thought out to showcase to the world the very best version of me, all now deleted.
Ironically, the decision to destroy my carefully built-up virtual image came as a result of wanting to enhance my profile. All that particular week I’d been hungry for new quotes on my page, something to reflect the week I’d been having: something introspective. I perused a quotes website and found this one attributed to Aristotle:
“We are what we repeatedly do.”
I became despondent. What, then, was I? If my time was spent changing my profile picture on Facebook, thinking of a clever status update for Facebook, checking my profile again to see if anyone had commented on my page, Is this what I am? A person who re-visits her own thoughts and images for hours each day? And so what do I amount to? An egotist? A voyeur?
Whatever the label, I was unhappy and feeling empty. The amount of time I spent on Facebook had pushed me into an existential crisis. It wasn’t the time-wasting, per se, that bothered me. It was the nature of the obsession – namely self-obsession. Enough was enough. I left Facebook.
In the past, my feelings toward Facebook and similar social networking sites had swung between a genuine sense of connection and community to the uncomfortable awareness that what all of our blogs, online journals and personal profiles really amounted to was serious narcissism. As my feelings of over-exposure continued to mount, the obvious solution would have been to set limits on my Facebook time – yet I still found myself sucked in for longer periods every time I visited. In part, it was the hundreds of little links to and hints about other people’s lives that kept me coming back. But even more addicting were the never-ending possibilities to introduce, enhance and reveal more of myself.
The baby-boomers were at one time thought to be the most self-absorbed generation in American history and carried the label of the Me Generation. In recent years this title has been appropriated, twisted and reassigned to the babies of those same boomers – born in the 80s and 90s – now called Generation Me or the Look at Me Generation. Author Jean Twenge, an Associate Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University and herself a member of Generation Me – spent ten years doing research on this group’s sense of entitlement and self-absorption. She attributed it to the radical individualism that was engendered by baby-boomer parents and educators focused on instilling self-esteem in children beginning in the 1970s. American and Canadian youth were raised on aphorisms such as “express yourself” and “just be yourself.”
To further illustrate her point, Twenge also found a large increase in self-reference words like “I,” “me,” “mine” and “myself” in news stories published in the 80s and 90s. These words replaced collective words such as “we,” “us,” “humanity,” “country” or “crowd” found in the stories of a similar nature in the 50s and 60s. This generation might be the least thoughtful, community-oriented and conscientious one in North American history.
In the end, what does all this online, arms-length self-promotion ultimately provide? Perhaps it’s merely one component of the pursuit to alleviate some of the blackness encountered in the existential vacuum of modern life. As Schopenhauer once projected, modern humans may be doomed to eternally vacillate between distress and boredom. For the vast majority of people experiencing the fragmented, fast-paced modern world of 2008, a Sunday pause at the end of a hectic week may cause them to become all too aware of the lack of content in their lives. So we update our online profiles and tell ourselves that we are reaching out.
And yet, the time we waste on Facebook only makes our search for comfort and community more elusive. Online networking sites are marketed as facilitators of community-orientation but when I think about the millions of people – myself included – who spend large portions of their waking lives feeding off an exchange of thousands of computerized, fragmented images, it doesn’t add up to community-engagement. These images have no meaning beyond “I look pretty from this angle” or “I’m wasted” or “look who my new boyfriend is.” And as we continue to chase even harder – accessing Facebook at work, uploading images from our cell phones – we spend our money on constantly upgraded electronic gadgets marketed to our tendency to self-obsess and present particularly uninteresting and repetitive images of ourselves. There’s got to be more than this.
And so I quit…
After I left Facebook, I wondered what all my friends, family and acquaintances were going to think when they noticed I’d disappeared off the Facebook earth. So some of my Facebook narcissism – am I being noticed, am I being missed – remains. But I’m also asking myself some new questions. How do I find balance between my online life and my “real” life? How much exposure is healthy? How do I act responsibly for myself and engage with those I love? These are still “me” thoughts but they feel different than before. As I sit here, keyboard under palm, eyes on screen, I try to remind myself that my hands and eyes need to venture out into the community and look and touch the truly tangible that lies just beyond that other big screen: my window. (c)
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Rumi ... Mathnawi
Since our vision is so limited, let's go ...
Let our sight be dissolved in the seeing of the Friend ...
Our sight for His ... What an exchange ...
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Hazrat Inayat Khan ...
Man learns his first lesson of love by loving a human being ...
But in reality love is due to God alone ...
It is our perception of time which passes ...
Not time itself ...
For time is God ...
And God is eternal ...
Shaykh Ahmad ar-Rifa'i (ra) ...
Gentlemen! Beware of looking to the satisfaction of your soul! Beware of self-deception! Similarly, beware of false pride! All of those things are ruinous. One who belittles others while exalting himself has never attained nearness to God. Just who are you and I? My Brother! You and I are lowly wretchedness whose beginning is an indistinguishable lump of flesh, whose end is a corpse.
Jalaluddin Rumi (Mathnawi) ...
'The body that hath defect in its spirit will never become sweet
(even)
if you smear it with honey.'
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Kahlil Gibran ...
“But let there be spaces in your togetherness and let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love. Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your soul”
I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do greater things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men. I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among all men, most richly blessed.
Buddha ...
Live your life in happiness,
even though those around you lead lives which are unhealthy,
and wish to spread their illness to you.
Be Happiness itself.
RUMI ...
I am your lover, come to my side, I will open the gate to your love.
Come settle with me, let us be neighbors to the stars.
You have been hiding so long, endlessly drifting in the sea of my love.
Even so, you have always been connected to me.
Concealed, revealed, in the unknown, in the un-manifest.
I am life itself. You have been a prisoner of a little pond,
I am the ocean and its turbulent flood. Come merge with me,
leave this world of ignorance. Be with me, I will open the gate to your love.
I am bewildered by the magnificence of your beauty,
and wish to see you with a hundred eyes...
I am in the house of mercy,
and my heart is a place of prayer.
Come settle with me, let us be neighbors to the stars.
You have been hiding so long, endlessly drifting in the sea of my love.
Even so, you have always been connected to me.
Concealed, revealed, in the unknown, in the un-manifest.
I am life itself. You have been a prisoner of a little pond,
I am the ocean and its turbulent flood. Come merge with me,
leave this world of ignorance. Be with me, I will open the gate to your love.
You come to us from another world,
from beyond the stars and the void of space.
Transcendent, pure, of unimaginable beauty.
Bringing with you the essence of love.
You transform all who are touched by you.
Mundane concerns, troubles and sorrows dissolve in your presence,
bringing joy to ruler and ruled, to peasant and King.
I am bewildered by the magnificence of your beauty,
and wish to see you with a hundred eyes...
I am in the house of mercy,
and my heart is a place of prayer.
RUMI ...
The sky was lit by the splendor of the moon,
so powerful I fell to the ground.
Your love has made me sure
I am ready to forsake this worldly life
and surrender to the magnificence of your being.
RUMI ...
Gamble everything for love.
If you are a true human being.
If not, leave this gathering.
Half-heartedness doesn't reach into majesty.
You set out to find God, but then you keep
stopping for long periods at mean-spirited roadhouses.
Don't wait any longer. Dive in the ocean, leave and let the
sea be you. Silent, absent, walking an empty road, all praise.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Mawlay Al-Arabi al-Darqawi (RA) ...
“If you want to treat your enemy with what is duly deserving for him, preoccupy yourself with the love of the beloved, for if you preoccupy yourself with hate and enmity then the enemy gets from you what he wanted and you have the lost opportunity to love the beloved.”
-al- Risala al-Darqawiyya
Why is the moon fortunate? ...
The moon is very fortunate because it had the privilege to act as a toy for the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) during his childhood.Hazrat Moulana Jaami (rahmatullahi alay) has written in:
`Shawahidun-Nabuwa` that the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) only had to lift his fingers and point to the moon from inside his cradle and it used to move about where he wished it to go.
The Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has also said,
"As a child, I used to talk to the moon and it would tell me not to cry. I could also hear the moon when it used to prostrate under the Heavens".
The moon was very lucky for it had the privilege to split into two pieces at the order of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).
What can we say about the moons luck except that on many occasions it has been lucky enough to see the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).
Even today, the moon kisses the sacred gardens of Madina and gets joyful to see its beautiful scenery. It is so lucky to kiss the beautiful Green Dome and to have the chance to collect the Holy Light (Noor) from Madina.
We are also lucky because the Moon showers us with this light in our country. I wish to keep looking at the moon that drowns itself in deep love for Madina. I always think about the moon, which was so lucky enough to kiss the sacred Imaama and blessed hair of our sweet Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).
It is the moon that looks at the sacred Kaa`ba and also looks at the Green Dome and the beautiful tall Minarets of Masjid-an-Nabawi and at the same time, showers of Madani Light (Noor) fall upon us and I feel like kissing the moon.
Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (RA) speaks out and says how UNFORTUNATE the moon was on the night of Mir'aaj,
Oh Moon how Foolish you were,
when the Beloved (SAW) was passing you,
if only you were out that night (27th).
The blessed dust of my Beloveds feet was passing your way,
If you had rubbed it on your face,
then everyone wont have been able to see the dark mark on you.
Imam Busiri once wrote about the Prophet(pbuh)
"Exquisite as a lily
Illustrious as a full moon
Magnanimous as the ocean
Persistent as time"
and also wrote:
"He is like the sun,
small to the eye when seen from afar,
but when glimpsed close up,
it dazzles and overwhelms"
Ya Habibi, Ya Rasool Anta Nurun Ala Nur!
Words of Wisdom from the Qur'an ...
1. Respect and honour all human beings irrespective of their religion, color, race, sex, language, status, property, birth, profession/job and so on [17/70]
2. Talk straight, to the point, without any ambiguity or deception [33/70]
3. Choose best words to speak and say them in the best possible way [17/53, 2/83]
4. Do not shout. Speak politely keeping your voice low. [31/19]
5. Always speak the truth. Shun words that are deceitful and ostentatious [22/30]
6. Do not confound truth with falsehood [2/42]
7. Say with your mouth what is in your heart [3/167]
8. Speak in a civilized manner in a language that is recognised by the society and is commonly used [4/5]
9. When you voice an opinion, be just, even if it is against a relative [6/152]
10. Do not be a bragging boaster [31/18]
11. Do not talk, listen or do anything vain [23/3, 28/55]
12. Do not participate in any paltry. If you pass near a futile play, then pass by with dignity [25/72]
13. Do not verge upon any immodesty or lewdness whether surreptitious or overt [6/151].
14. If, unintentionally, any misconduct occurs by you, then correct yourself expeditiously [3/134].
15. Do not be contemptuous or arrogant with people [31/18]
16. Do not walk haughtily or with conceit [17/37, 31/18]
17. Be moderate in thy pace [31/19]
18. Walk with humility and sedateness [25/63]
19. Keep your gazes lowered devoid of any lecherous leers and salacious stares [24/30-31, 40/19].
20. If you do not have complete knowledge about anything, better keep your mouth shut. You might think that speaking about something without full knowledge is a trivial matter. But it might have grave consequences [24/15-16]
21. When you hear something malicious about someone, keep a favorable view about him/her until you attain full knowledge about the matter. Consider others innocent until they are proven guilty with solid and truthful evidence [24/12-13]
22. Ascertain the truth of any news, lest you smite someone in ignorance and afterwards repent of what you did [49/6]
23. Do not follow blindly any information of which you have no direct knowledge. (Using your faculties of perception and conception) you must verify it for yourself. In the Court of your Lord, you will be held accountable for your hearing, sight, and the faculty of reasoning [17/36].
24. Never think that you have reached the final stage of knowledge and nobody knows more than yourself. Remember! Above everyone endowed with knowledge is another endowed with more knowledge [12/76]. Even the Prophet [p.b.u.h] was asked to keep praying, "O My sustainer! Advance me in knowledge." [20:114]
25. The believers are but a single Brotherhood. Live like members of one family, brothers and sisters unto one another [49/10].
26. Do not make mockery of others or ridicule others [49/11]
27. Do not defame others [49/11]
28. Do not insult others by nicknames [49/11]
29. Avoid suspicion and guesswork. Suspicion and guesswork might deplete your communal energy [49/12]
30. Spy not upon one another [49/12]
31. Do not backbite one another [49/12]
32. When you meet each other, offer good wishes and blessings for safety. One who conveys to you a message of safety and security and also when a courteous greeting is offered to you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous or (at least) of equal courtesy [4/86]
33. When you enter your own home or the home of somebody else, compliment the inmates [24/61]
34. Do not enter houses other than your own until you have sought permission; and then greet the inmates and wish them a life of blessing, purity and pleasure [24/27]
35. Treat kindly " Your parents " Relatives " The orphans " And those who have been left alone in the society [4/36]
36. Take care of " The needy, " The disabled " Those whose hard earned income is insufficient to meet their needs " And those whose businesses have stalled " And those who have lost their jobs. [4/36]
37. Treat kindly " Your related neighbours, and unrelated neighbours " Companions by your side in public gatherings, or public transportation. [4/36]
38. Be generous to the needy wayfarer, the homeless son of the street, and the one who reaches you in a destitute condition [4/36]
39. Be nice to people who work under your care. [4/36]
40. Do not follow up what you have given to others to afflict them with reminders of your generosity [2/262].
41. Do not expect a return for your good behaviour, not even thanks [76/9]
42. Cooperate with one another in good deeds and do not cooperate with others in evil and bad matters [5/2]
43. Do not try to impress people on account of self-proclaimed virtues [53/32]
44. You should enjoin right conduct on others but mend your own ways first. Actions speak louder than words. You must first practice good deeds yourself, then preach [2/44]
45. Correct yourself and your families first [before trying to correct others] [66/6]
46. Pardon gracefully if anyone among you who commits a bad deed out of ignorance, and then repents and amends [6/54, 3/134]
47. Divert and sublimate your anger and potentially virulent emotions to creative energy, and become a source of tranquility and comfort to people [3/134]
48. Call people to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful exhortation. Reason with them most decently [16/125]
49. Leave to themselves those who do not give any importance to the Divine code and have adopted and consider it as mere play and amusement [6/70]
50. Sit not in the company of those who ridicule Divine Law unless they engage in some other conversation [4/140]
51. Do not be jealous of those who are blessed [4/54]
52. In your collective life, make rooms for others [58/11]
53. When invited to dine, Go at the appointed time. Do not arrive too early to wait for the preparation of meal or linger after eating to engage in bootless babble. Such things may cause inconvenience to the host [33/53]
54. Eat and drink [what is lawful] in moderation [7/31].
55. Do not squander your wealth senselessly [17/26]
56. Fulfill your promises and commitments [17/34]
57. Keep yourself clean, pure [9/108, 4/43, 5/6].
58. Dress-up in agreeable attire and adorn yourself with exquisite character from inside out [7/26]
59. Seek your provision only by fair endeavor [29/17, 2/188]
60. Do not devour the wealth and property of others unjustly, nor bribe the officials or the judges to deprive others of their possessions
2. Talk straight, to the point, without any ambiguity or deception [33/70]
3. Choose best words to speak and say them in the best possible way [17/53, 2/83]
4. Do not shout. Speak politely keeping your voice low. [31/19]
5. Always speak the truth. Shun words that are deceitful and ostentatious [22/30]
6. Do not confound truth with falsehood [2/42]
7. Say with your mouth what is in your heart [3/167]
8. Speak in a civilized manner in a language that is recognised by the society and is commonly used [4/5]
9. When you voice an opinion, be just, even if it is against a relative [6/152]
10. Do not be a bragging boaster [31/18]
11. Do not talk, listen or do anything vain [23/3, 28/55]
12. Do not participate in any paltry. If you pass near a futile play, then pass by with dignity [25/72]
13. Do not verge upon any immodesty or lewdness whether surreptitious or overt [6/151].
14. If, unintentionally, any misconduct occurs by you, then correct yourself expeditiously [3/134].
15. Do not be contemptuous or arrogant with people [31/18]
16. Do not walk haughtily or with conceit [17/37, 31/18]
17. Be moderate in thy pace [31/19]
18. Walk with humility and sedateness [25/63]
19. Keep your gazes lowered devoid of any lecherous leers and salacious stares [24/30-31, 40/19].
20. If you do not have complete knowledge about anything, better keep your mouth shut. You might think that speaking about something without full knowledge is a trivial matter. But it might have grave consequences [24/15-16]
21. When you hear something malicious about someone, keep a favorable view about him/her until you attain full knowledge about the matter. Consider others innocent until they are proven guilty with solid and truthful evidence [24/12-13]
22. Ascertain the truth of any news, lest you smite someone in ignorance and afterwards repent of what you did [49/6]
23. Do not follow blindly any information of which you have no direct knowledge. (Using your faculties of perception and conception) you must verify it for yourself. In the Court of your Lord, you will be held accountable for your hearing, sight, and the faculty of reasoning [17/36].
24. Never think that you have reached the final stage of knowledge and nobody knows more than yourself. Remember! Above everyone endowed with knowledge is another endowed with more knowledge [12/76]. Even the Prophet [p.b.u.h] was asked to keep praying, "O My sustainer! Advance me in knowledge." [20:114]
25. The believers are but a single Brotherhood. Live like members of one family, brothers and sisters unto one another [49/10].
26. Do not make mockery of others or ridicule others [49/11]
27. Do not defame others [49/11]
28. Do not insult others by nicknames [49/11]
29. Avoid suspicion and guesswork. Suspicion and guesswork might deplete your communal energy [49/12]
30. Spy not upon one another [49/12]
31. Do not backbite one another [49/12]
32. When you meet each other, offer good wishes and blessings for safety. One who conveys to you a message of safety and security and also when a courteous greeting is offered to you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous or (at least) of equal courtesy [4/86]
33. When you enter your own home or the home of somebody else, compliment the inmates [24/61]
34. Do not enter houses other than your own until you have sought permission; and then greet the inmates and wish them a life of blessing, purity and pleasure [24/27]
35. Treat kindly " Your parents " Relatives " The orphans " And those who have been left alone in the society [4/36]
36. Take care of " The needy, " The disabled " Those whose hard earned income is insufficient to meet their needs " And those whose businesses have stalled " And those who have lost their jobs. [4/36]
37. Treat kindly " Your related neighbours, and unrelated neighbours " Companions by your side in public gatherings, or public transportation. [4/36]
38. Be generous to the needy wayfarer, the homeless son of the street, and the one who reaches you in a destitute condition [4/36]
39. Be nice to people who work under your care. [4/36]
40. Do not follow up what you have given to others to afflict them with reminders of your generosity [2/262].
41. Do not expect a return for your good behaviour, not even thanks [76/9]
42. Cooperate with one another in good deeds and do not cooperate with others in evil and bad matters [5/2]
43. Do not try to impress people on account of self-proclaimed virtues [53/32]
44. You should enjoin right conduct on others but mend your own ways first. Actions speak louder than words. You must first practice good deeds yourself, then preach [2/44]
45. Correct yourself and your families first [before trying to correct others] [66/6]
46. Pardon gracefully if anyone among you who commits a bad deed out of ignorance, and then repents and amends [6/54, 3/134]
47. Divert and sublimate your anger and potentially virulent emotions to creative energy, and become a source of tranquility and comfort to people [3/134]
48. Call people to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful exhortation. Reason with them most decently [16/125]
49. Leave to themselves those who do not give any importance to the Divine code and have adopted and consider it as mere play and amusement [6/70]
50. Sit not in the company of those who ridicule Divine Law unless they engage in some other conversation [4/140]
51. Do not be jealous of those who are blessed [4/54]
52. In your collective life, make rooms for others [58/11]
53. When invited to dine, Go at the appointed time. Do not arrive too early to wait for the preparation of meal or linger after eating to engage in bootless babble. Such things may cause inconvenience to the host [33/53]
54. Eat and drink [what is lawful] in moderation [7/31].
55. Do not squander your wealth senselessly [17/26]
56. Fulfill your promises and commitments [17/34]
57. Keep yourself clean, pure [9/108, 4/43, 5/6].
58. Dress-up in agreeable attire and adorn yourself with exquisite character from inside out [7/26]
59. Seek your provision only by fair endeavor [29/17, 2/188]
60. Do not devour the wealth and property of others unjustly, nor bribe the officials or the judges to deprive others of their possessions
Monday, October 6, 2008
Tell Me about God ...
Many years ago, during the time of the Taabi'een (the generation of Muslims after the Sahabah), Baghdad was a great city of Islam. In fact, it was the capital of the Islamic Empire and because of the great number of scholars who lived there, it was the center of Islamic knowledge. One day, the ruler of Rome at that time sent an envoy to Baghdad with three challenges for the Muslims. When the messenger reached the city, he informed the Khalifah that he had three questions which he challenged the Muslims to answer. The Khalifah gathered together all the scholars of the city and the Roman messenger climbed upon a high platform and said,
I have come with three questions. If you answer them, then I will leave with you a great amount of wealth which I have brought from the king of Rome.'As for the questions, they! were: 'What was there before Allah?' 'In which direction does Allah face?' 'What is Allah engaged in at this moment?'
The great assembly of people were silent. (Can you think of answers to these questions?) In the midst of these brilliant scholars and students of Islam, there was a man looking on with his young son. 'O my dear father! I will answer him and silence him!' said the youth. So the boy sought the permission of the Khalifah to give the answers and he was given the permission to do so.
The Roman addressed the young Muslim and repeated his first question, 'What was there before Allah?' The boy asked,'Do you know how to count?' 'Yes,' said the man. 'Then count down from ten!' So the Roman counted down, 'ten, nine, eight, ...' until he reached 'one' and he stopped counting. 'But what comes before 'one'?' asked the boy. 'There is nothing before one - that is it!' said the man. 'Well then, if there obviously is nothing before the arithmetic 'one', then how do you expect that there should be anything before the 'One' who is Absolute truth, All-Eternal, Everlasting the First, the Last, the Manifest, the Hidden?' Now the man was surprised by this direct answer which he could not dispute.. So he asked, 'Then tell me, in which direction is Allah facing?' 'Bring a candle and light it,' said the boy, 'and tell me in which direction the flame is facing.' 'But the flame is just light - it spreads in each of the four directions, North, South, East and West. It does not face any one direction only,' said the man in wonderment. The boy cried, 'Then if this physical light spreads in all four directions such that you cannot tell me which way it faces, then what do you expect of the Nur-us-Samawati- wal-'Ard: Allah - the Light of the Heavens and the Earth!? Light upon Light, Allah faces all directions at all times.'
The Roman was stupefied and astounded that here was a young child answering his challenges in such a way that he could not argue against the proofs. So, he desperately wanted to try his final question. But before doing so, the boy said, 'Wait! You are the one who is asking the questions and I am the one who is giving the answers to these challenges. It is only fair that you should come down to where I am standing and that I should go up where you are right now, in order that the answers may be heard as clearly as the questions.' This seemed reasonable to the Roman, so he came down from where he was standing and the boy ascended the platform. Then the man repeated his final challenge, 'Tell me, what is Allah doing at this moment?' The boy proudly answered,'At this moment, when Allah found upon this high platform a liar and mocker of Islam, He caused him to descend and brought him low. And as for the one who believed in the Oneness of Allah, He raised him up and established the Truth. Every day He exercises (universal) power (Surah 55 ar-Rahman, Verse 29).'The Roman had nothing to say except to leave and return back to his country, defeated.
Meanwhile, this young boy grew up to become one of the most famous scholars of Islam. Allah, the Exalted, blessed him with special wisdom and knowledge of the Deen (religion). His name was Abu Hanifah (rahmatullah alayhi - May Allah have mercy on him) and he is known today as Imam Abu Hanifah (Imam-e-Azam) , the Great Imam and scholar of Islam.
I have come with three questions. If you answer them, then I will leave with you a great amount of wealth which I have brought from the king of Rome.'As for the questions, they! were: 'What was there before Allah?' 'In which direction does Allah face?' 'What is Allah engaged in at this moment?'
The great assembly of people were silent. (Can you think of answers to these questions?) In the midst of these brilliant scholars and students of Islam, there was a man looking on with his young son. 'O my dear father! I will answer him and silence him!' said the youth. So the boy sought the permission of the Khalifah to give the answers and he was given the permission to do so.
The Roman addressed the young Muslim and repeated his first question, 'What was there before Allah?' The boy asked,'Do you know how to count?' 'Yes,' said the man. 'Then count down from ten!' So the Roman counted down, 'ten, nine, eight, ...' until he reached 'one' and he stopped counting. 'But what comes before 'one'?' asked the boy. 'There is nothing before one - that is it!' said the man. 'Well then, if there obviously is nothing before the arithmetic 'one', then how do you expect that there should be anything before the 'One' who is Absolute truth, All-Eternal, Everlasting the First, the Last, the Manifest, the Hidden?' Now the man was surprised by this direct answer which he could not dispute.. So he asked, 'Then tell me, in which direction is Allah facing?' 'Bring a candle and light it,' said the boy, 'and tell me in which direction the flame is facing.' 'But the flame is just light - it spreads in each of the four directions, North, South, East and West. It does not face any one direction only,' said the man in wonderment. The boy cried, 'Then if this physical light spreads in all four directions such that you cannot tell me which way it faces, then what do you expect of the Nur-us-Samawati- wal-'Ard: Allah - the Light of the Heavens and the Earth!? Light upon Light, Allah faces all directions at all times.'
The Roman was stupefied and astounded that here was a young child answering his challenges in such a way that he could not argue against the proofs. So, he desperately wanted to try his final question. But before doing so, the boy said, 'Wait! You are the one who is asking the questions and I am the one who is giving the answers to these challenges. It is only fair that you should come down to where I am standing and that I should go up where you are right now, in order that the answers may be heard as clearly as the questions.' This seemed reasonable to the Roman, so he came down from where he was standing and the boy ascended the platform. Then the man repeated his final challenge, 'Tell me, what is Allah doing at this moment?' The boy proudly answered,'At this moment, when Allah found upon this high platform a liar and mocker of Islam, He caused him to descend and brought him low. And as for the one who believed in the Oneness of Allah, He raised him up and established the Truth. Every day He exercises (universal) power (Surah 55 ar-Rahman, Verse 29).'The Roman had nothing to say except to leave and return back to his country, defeated.
Meanwhile, this young boy grew up to become one of the most famous scholars of Islam. Allah, the Exalted, blessed him with special wisdom and knowledge of the Deen (religion). His name was Abu Hanifah (rahmatullah alayhi - May Allah have mercy on him) and he is known today as Imam Abu Hanifah (Imam-e-Azam) , the Great Imam and scholar of Islam.
Tawheed ~ Monotheism ...
IntroductionTawheed, monotheism is the belief in one god. In Islam it is the belief in Allah, the one true god. The basis of monotheism in Islam can be seen in the Qur’an where Allah says, “Not a messenger did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me.” (HQ21: 25). This idea is the basis of Islam. The purpose of writing this composition is to try to show Muslims and non-Muslims alike that there are many signs that point to monotheism. We will show that man has an innate desire to seek out his Lord. We will also show how nature points to monotheism and also how science and technology has helped man to see the oneness of Allah. It is my hope that this composition is easily understood and will help the readers to have a better understanding of Tawheed.
Lesson One: Seeking AllahAllah, the Lord, Cherisher, Evolver of the universe who depends on no one and with out Whom no one would exist has given man an innate need to search for Him. Allah says in the Qur’an, “Allah the needless” (112:2) which has also been translated as “Allah, the eternally besought of all” by Izzudd in al-Hayak, shows the fact that everyone searches for Allah. We all have a burning desire to know where we come from. The primitive man with his limited resources have from the beginning of time tried to explain how the world came into being and what his role should be in it. Man came into this world with everything he needs to survive; he didn’t have to find the necessities of life they were already provided for him. Man was never taught how to breath, and a baby was never taught how to suck on his mother’s breast, yet we all breath and are nourished. How did that come to be? There are all different types of plants and animals that were here prior to us, so we could not have created them, so where did they come from and who created them? These are the type of questions that were asked by our ancestors and are still being asked by us today. Fortunately for us Allah in His Omnipotent Wisdom and Knowledge created this inquisitive nature in us to search for the answers to these mysteries and has given us the answers to these perplexing questions. After a thorough examination of cause and effect we come to know that there is a Primary Cause that has instigated all the subsequent effects.
When we don’t find or have an understanding of the Primary Cause we continue to search because we find ourselves unfulfilled and saddened. We do this because the Creator has also given us a need to be thankful because we were only created to worship and praise him. Indeed we have a lot to be thankful for, such as our mental and physical faculties as well as our social relations. In order for us to have a sense of completeness this urge to be thankful has to be addressed and satisfied. Satisfaction only comes from knowing your Lord and until He’s known the search will continue.
While we search for Allah, the Primary Cause, we find ourselves being pulled in many directions. Once the knowledge of there being a primary cause is realized we have to find the correct way of following the commands of Allah “The Primary Cause”. This process is just as difficult if not more difficult than finding the Cause because of everyone having an idea of how we should go about serving Allah. On an everyday basis we find Christians, Jews, Buddhist, Muslims, atheist and others trying to propagate their way of life. Unfortunately every road doesn’t lead to Allah and the way that he has chosen for us. However we are also blessed with fortune because the All Wise Creator and The Primary Cause has given us guidance from the beginning of mans existence as shown by the Holy Qur’an “And received Adam from his Lord words and Allah turned to him mercifully verily, He is the Oft-turning to mercy, the Most Merciful. Said We then, get down ye all together and when cometh from Me unto you a guidance, and whosoever follows My guidance on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve”. (2:37-38). Our learned men in their commentary on this verse states that the guidance that’s being referred to in this verse was created along with the creation of Adam (peace be upon him or p.b.u.h). In this we see that man has always been guided, the key is to be guided aright. With right guidance we can cease searching for Allah and begin knowing him.
Lesson Two: The signs of Allah in our daily life
Allah says in the Qur’an “Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of the night and the day; in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of mankind; in the rain which Allah Sends down from the skies, and the life which He gives therewith to an earth that is dead; in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the earth; in the change of the winds, and the clouds which they Trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth; - (Here) indeed are Signs for a people that are wise.” (2:164). This verse admonishes us to take notice of the natural order of life and how Allah provides sustenance for us. By doing this we will begin the process of getting to know our Lord. We take the time to revere and respect man for his achievements and works. And man’s works fall very, very short of the works of Allah. By contemplating the signs and wonders of Allah we obtain a greater appreciation and knowledge for how great our Lord is. This knowledge allows us to worship Allah and have faith in Him. This knowledge is also essential in us having the right concept of Allah. The wrong concept of Allah will have us worshipping the created and not the Creator. With an incorrect belief system we will find ourselves depressed, frustrated and full of despair. This is the problem faced by materialist, agnostics, scientists, and atheist because through their disbelief they have nowhere to turn to in their time of need. An example of that is, when an agnostic person feels that a bad omen has come on them and they want help from the Almighty how do they address Him, how do they seek His countenance, how will they know what the prescribed actions are to alleviate themselves from this bad omen. They can’t find the solution to their problems because they don’t acknowledge “The Cause” so a lot of them from these groups commit suicide, turn to drugs or withdraw completely from life. This is because they have no hope. Hope can only comes from knowing that Allah, who created all things, has power over all things and has the ability to change all things. When you don’t submit to Allah you can’t know the kindness, love, and mercy that He has for his creatures. Thus leaving us to our own limited and inadequate understanding and depriving ourselves of the Mercy of Allah.
Islam is by definition is the total submission to the will of Allah. Another definition is peace. When we analyze these definitions we can deduce that peace, real peace, can only be obtained by submitting our will to that of Allah. That is the definition of a Muslim. Where in the above paragraph those that didn’t acknowledge Allah fell into peril and despair, the Muslim is assured of the mercy of Allah. Armed with this info the Muslim experiences lest anxiety when he deals with death, fear of the unknown, war and every day life. The Qur’an attests to this when it says, “It is those who believe and confuse not their beliefs with oppression – that they are (truly) in peacefulness, for they are on right guidance.” (6:82).
This peace that Allah bestows upon his devotees also gives him a sense of responsibility towards himself and the creations of Allah. This makes the Muslim learn what his rights are and the rights that others have on him. When a person doesn’t know that he is accountable for all his actions he will not always do his best. He wont cross his t’s nor dot his I’s , he wont see a job through, he wont have compassion for his fellow man. But the Muslim that fears his lord and knows his Lord, knows his responsibility and lives up to them. If everyone knew their rights and the rights of others on them there would be no selfishness, oppression or aggression toward one another.
Allah deals with his creation by His signs (prophets) through them He shows us how we are to deal with life on every level. This is why we have no excuses, our Lord has provided everything for us. And has guided us to righteousness, and in order to be righteous we have to hold true to the trust given to us by Allah most high. The only way to live up to this trust is to have a sense of responsibity, and make it strong within us and nurture it by understanding the signs of Allah.
Lesson Three: Two clear ways of knowing Allah
Man has been said to posses mind, body and soul. The mind and soul are the intellect and spiritual aspects in man. These are his tools that deal with his internal faculties. His eyes, ears, nose, skin and mouth deal with the external. These tools that Allah has given to man allows us to know Him in various ways.
Allah has separated man from his other creation by giving him the ability to reason. With this reasoning, if man is left alone with no external coercion he will undoubtedly come to the conclusion that he didn’t create anything, not even himself, so there has to be a greater force, a Creator that has created everything. The Qur’an gives a great example of man’s inner and external search for him through the story of Prophet Abraham (p.b.u.h). Allah says, “ So also did We show Abraham the power and the laws of the heavens and the earth, that he might (with understanding) have certitude. When the night covered him over, He saw a star: He said: "This is my Lord." But when it set, He said: "I love not those that set." When he saw the moon rising in splendor, he said: "This is my Lord." But when the moonset, He said: "unless my Lord guide me, I shall surely be among those who go astray." When he saw the sun rising in splendor, he said: "This is my Lord; this is the greatest (of all)." But when the sunset, he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from your (guilt) of giving partners to Allah. (6:75-79). In this story we see Prophet Abraham watching the heavens and observing the signs of Allah in nature (the stars, moon and sun). While he is using his physical faculties, he sees the stars, moon and sunrise and set. He when he saw each of them rise he concluded that they must be his Lord, but when they set his internal faculties deduced that these things were created and that the creator of these things must be worshipped. He must be his Lord. Hence Abraham declared “Verily I have turned my face wholly unto Him Who originated the heavens and the earth, being upright, and I am not of the associators.” (6:79) From Ibrahim (as) we find where man has found the right path through his intellect, and also by means of his physical faculties.
Some people never come to that realization. One group of people that used their physical faculties, were actually deceived by the signs of Allah when He bestowed his blessings on them like power, riches, sons and status. Pharaoh and the people of Pharaoh fit this description. There are many references to the story of Pharaoh and Prophet Moses (p.b.u.h) in the Qur’an for this purpose I will use what Allah says,” Then after them We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they wrongfully rejected them: So see what was the end of those who made mischief. Moses said: "O Pharaoh! I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds, - One for whom it is right to say nothing but truth about Allah. Now have I come unto you (people), from your Lord, with a clear (Sign): So let the Children of Israel depart along with me." (Pharaoh) said: "If indeed thou hast come with a Sign, show it forth, - if thou tellest the truth." Then (Moses) threw his rod, and behold! It was a serpent, plain (for all to see)! And he drew out his hand, and behold! It was white to all beholders! Said the Chiefs of the people of Pharaoh: "This is indeed a sorcerer well-versed. "His plan is to get you out of your land: then what is it ye counsel?" They said: "Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while); and send to the cities men to collect- and bring up to thee all (our) sorcerers well-versed." So there came the sorcerers to Pharaoh: They said, "of course we shall have a (suitable) reward if we win!" He said: "Yea, (and more), - for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)." They said: "O Moses! Wilt thou throw (first), or shall we have the (first) throw?" Said Moses: "Throw ye (first)." So when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of the people, and struck terror into them: for they showed a great (feat of) magic. We put it into Moses’ mind by inspiration: "Throw (now) thy rod”: and behold! It swallows up straight away all the falsehoods, which they fake! Thus truth was confirmed, and all that they did was made of no effect. So the (great ones) were vanquished there and then, and were made to look small. But the sorcerers fell down prostrate in adoration. Saying: "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, - "The Lord of Moses and Aaron." Said Pharaoh: "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? Surely this is a trick, which ye have planned in the city to drive out its people: but soon shall ye know (the consequences). "Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on apposite sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross." They said: "For us, We are but sent back unto our Lord: "But thou dost wreak thy vengeance on us simply because we believed in the Signs of our Lord when they reached us! Our Lord! Pour out on us patience and constancy, and take our souls unto thee as Muslims (who bow to thy will)! (HQ 7:103-126) Here we find Allah sending Pharaoh one of his signs (Moses p.b.u.h) with clear evidence. Pharaoh, taking himself to be god was full of arrogance because of what Allah had given to him (power, wealth, sons). Pharaoh’s intellect (inner faculties) was astray because of his physical perceptions concerning the blessing Allah gave him. Allah gave Moses (p.b.u.h) signs to warn Pharaoh of his waywardness and to return him to the path. When Pharaoh saw the physical power of Allah through His signs, Pharaoh resisted and was destroyed. When Pharaoh was drowning he finally acknowledge Allah, and said, “There is no god but the God of Moses (p.b.u.h).” (HQ 10:90). Here we find Allah giving man the opportunity to use his external and internal tools to acknowledge Him by his signs, but man not recognizing his own limitations failed to see Allah’s signs. He failed to see that Allah is not limited and it was Allah that gave man everything he had. May Allah keep us far away from the arrogance of Pharaoh, and may he also remove the veils from our sight so that we acknowledge Him internal and externally.
Allah has designed man to call out to Him in his time of need. At that time he realizes that he has no power. He sees his limitations and has no choice but to call on Allah.. At this time his faculties, internal and external, turn to the Primary Cause for help. Unfortunately after man is delivered from his calamity many of them fall right back into disbelief. The man that doesn’t fall back into disbelief is that man that has used his faculties to bring him to the light of reason. His veils are removed and he has truly come to know his Lord.
Lesson four: An answer to an important question
God, the eternal, there is no god but he, he, who has no partners or associates. He begets not nor was He begotten, and there is none like Him. This by all accounts can be viewed as surah Ikhlas in the Qur’an, but it is actually the concept of Umvelinqangi, pronounced as Walla hu gani held by the South African Zulu tribe. This was their concept of Allah before any European made his way to their land. The Zulu’s are an ancient tribe that was isolated from outside influences and were able to arrive at this concept. We can say that this idea was miraculous, but Allah says in the Qur’an “ And indeed raised We in every nation an apostle (of Ours preaching) that “Worship ye God (only), and shun ye (the worship of every kind of) idol,” so of them were some whom God guided, and of them were others on whom error was confirmed; Therefore travel ye in the earth, then see what hath been the end of the beliers.”(16:36) Allah tells us here that every nation had an apostle sent to them, from among their own people. We have seen a reference from the Qur’an that when Allah created Adam (as) guidance from Allah was present. The Zulu’s aren’t the only ancient people that had this idea, the proof of that comes from the above verse where Allah says “travel the earth and see what happened to the beliers.”
There are some that say that we get our religious beliefs from customs. However customs vary from people to people. The belief that there is a Higher Being can be seen in every people at every place and time. Customs have come to overshadow the belief in the Higher Being, but this Higher Being (Allah) gave guidance to every people. So the custom of Allah giving guidance is actually the most common custom. Allah testifies to this when He says “Verily We sent thee with truth, as a bearer of glad tidings and a warner: and there is not a people but a warner hath gone among them.” (HQ35: 24) This shows that every people had been warned but they didn’t heed the warning. They forgot the revelation, changed it or disregarded it. This caused some people take their other traditions and even nature as being their gods (idols). Allah has given man an innate desire to know Him so that burning turns us back to Him.
Psychologists say, “that the human spirit or soul has four senses”: Sense of knowledge, sense of goodness, sense of beauty, and sense of belief. The sense of worship is rooted deep in our in our spirits. Allah created us this way. None of these senses can be separated from us or from each other. These senses are called fitrat (divinely- created nature) in Islam. This nature allows us to know that love for Allah has always existed and will continue to exist. And faith in Allah is an eternal flame that warms our heart and spirit. In order for us to be successful we have to be aware of this nature and nurture it.
Lesson five: A True story
Imam Ali (p.b.u.h) has said, “Praise be to Allah who wore (the dress of) honor and pride and has chosen them both for Himself giving not to his creatures.” He the Imam continues, “And Allah, The Exalted, has cursed those of his servants who attempt to quarrel with Him over this quality (honor and pride)”.
From the above we see that only Allah has the right to be proud. Al- Mutakabbir is one of the attributes of Allah. This attribute describes how Allah is the One that possesses all greatness, Who is above having any of the qualities of His creatures, Who is above being harmed by the oppressors among His creation, Whose greatness and pride are the super-most. This shows that Allah is the only One that deserves the attributes of greatness, perfection, pride, and glory, all at the same time. Who is greater than Allah? And whom does Allah submit to? The answer to both questions is no one. Thus Allah has said, “Surely evil is the dwelling place of those who are proud.” (HQ16: 59). We find that, the first being to be filled with pride was the Iblis, the shaytan, he was ordered by Allah to bow down to Adam (as) but he was full of pride and Allah cursed him until the day of judgment. (HQ15: 29-33). By us being filled with pride we follow the example of shaytan, the rejected, and that leads straight to the hell fire. What an evil abode it is.
We see that as men we can’t do anything. Those that came before us were punished because they tried to adorn the cloak of Allah (pride). There are many ways for us to show pride, here are a few; we show pride by not obeying Allah, not giving full measure, not supplicating to Allah etc. Pride is a disease of the heart. The cure for it is to submit to Allah, realize everything was created by Him, thus everything belongs to Him, and that we are only here to worship Him.
Lesson Six: The second way of coming to know Allah
Looking at the world we live in, we realize that this world is not in chaos and disorder. On the contrary, we see that this world follows specific laws and follows them without any deviation. Nothing happens haphazardly, it happens for a reason.
The earth is made primarily of water. Approximately 75% of the earth’s surface is water. This no coincidence, every living thing is made from water and is dependent on it for it’s survival. Without this essential element the earth could not support life. With water we grow our crops, give water to our cattle, and hydrate ourselves. It is no wonder why Allah has given us such an abundance of water. We get it from rain, dew, streams, and oceans. In this we see that this world had to be planned by a Master Planner, that knows the needs of the creatures here on earth.
We also see that all creatures have special qualities that allow them to survive. The animals that live in nature have furs and hairs that allow them to deal with cold and heat. In the winter they grow longer and fuller coats and in the summer they shed there winter coats so that they will be cool. This had to be planned because of how this happens all the time without fail. This is evidence of the laws of nature that all creation follows.
Men have been on the face of this earth for eons and have made tremendous strides in the field of science. Man has been a great imitator. All of his systems are based on nature. Man makes airplanes and the concepts of flight come directly from birds. He builds irrigation systems to simulate rain. Man looks at these systems occurring in nature and has to say once again that this system didn’t happen by chance. It had to have been made by a Master Builder.
The probability of an uneducated man going into a computer plant to reconfigure the programs of that system is slim to none. No matter how long he stares at this computer he will never be able to figure it out. There are some geniuses that are capable of doing extraordinary things, but the complexity of a computer system even confounds its makers. There are millions of actions that take place while operating a computer. The computer gathers data, displays that data, saves, deletes, and controls functions of other computers hundreds of miles away. In this world man is that uneducated guy sitting there looking at the huge computer system. Even the brilliant among us can’t begin to imagine what it will take to run this universe. How can a man regulate all the births that occur in plants and animals, how can he regulate temperatures all over the world? How can he not see that it is Allah the Master Planner, and Master Builder, that is in control. He is The Lord, Cherisher, Sustainer, and Evolver of all the worlds. (HQ1:2).
Here we can see that if man were to sit back and ponder the order in nature he will find his Lord. Allah has said “Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day,- there are indeed Signs for men of understanding,- Men who celebrate the praises of Allah, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth, (With the thought): "Our Lord! not for naught Hast Thou created (all) this! Glory to Thee! Give us salvation from the penalty of the Fire. (HQ3: 190. -191) These verses show that if man would ponder these signs in nature we will see that The All-Mighty creator made this system and we will be successful if we praised and worship Him. We can also see that this system was not created for nothing, but for a purpose. All praises belong to Allah.
Lesson seven: Examples from creation
With the advancement of technology the world is as they say a “smaller place”. We are able to see now what was revealed in the Qur’an fourteen hundred years ago because of this newfound technology. The more we learn about this system the more we see the oneness of Allah. Maybe with more advancement we will be able to prove more of the Qur’an.
The human body is truly a work of art, Allah says ”We have created man in the best structure”. (HQ95: 4) This ayat from the Qur’an shows that there was a creator that created us, but in the previous section it was said that technology helped to prove the oneness of Allah. When we see man as an adult it is hard to imagine his humble beginnings, what we see is the end result. A man with two eyes to see, a nose to smell, a mouth to taste, skin to feel and a host of systems that make the machine (man) function. Science and technology has taught us that the most complicated thing on earth is man. We all have different talents, shapes, colors and languages yet we all begin the same way. In this we see that we all breathe, eat and drink to survive. That shows we all have the one creator. Allah says, “Was he not a drop of sperm emitted (in lowly form)? Then did he become a leech-like clot; then did (Allah) make and fashion (him) in due proportion.”
(HQ 75:37-38). When man was fashioned, Allah gave him a respiratory, digestive, and neurological system that is self regulated. Again these aren’t things that man asked for but if he didn’t have them he couldn’t survive.
Here we will take the time to discuss one of the systems that makes man unique from other creatures, that is mans digestive system. Allah has given some animals the ability to only digest herbage, while in others meats. Man can digest both herbage and meats. Man needs nutrients from both to survive. To discuss the entire process here will be lengthy, but in brief digestion starts with saliva in the mouth, digestive enzymes in the stomach, and the distribution of nutrients from the large intestine. After then the body excretes the waste products that will harm the body. This is present not only in man but also through out all creation. The oneness of Allah is seen hereby technology because only with recent technological advances has this information become available. Allah has made these signs available to us fourteen hundred years ago.
Lesson eight: A world of wonder in a small bird
In this lesson, we want to leave aside the large country of our body, which we have briefly touched upon and turn to a look at the wonder of other creatures.
We look at the sky at certain times and we see large groups of birds flying together in well-organized groups. These are called migratory birds and they fly thousands of miles annually to mate. These birds mate at there places of birth. These birds have no maps, compasses or north star system used in cars to guide them to their destination. How are they able to navigate these great distances without the guidance systems we have?
Science now says, that these birds have a natural compass that guides them over these great distances. These birds make these migrations annually. Who taught them how to fly? Allah says,” Do they not observe the birds above them, spreading their wings and folding them in? None can uphold them except (Allah) Most Gracious: Truly (Allah) Most Gracious: Truly it is He that watches over all things.” (HQ67: 67). Who tells them when it is time to make their migrations? Again science has said that birds have a natural instinct that allows these birds to know when to take flight. Allah says, "I put my trust in Allah, My Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving creature, but He hath grasp of its forelock. Verily, it is my Lord that is on a straight Path.” (HQ11: 56). In the commentary of this verse Abdullah Yusef Ali says, “this verse shows that Allah has full control over every creature.” This shows that what science is referring to, as nature is only Allah. More evidence can be seen of this when we find baby birds that have been hurt and are unable to keep up with the flock. Humans have nursed these birds to health and when it is time to make the migration they make that migration without any help. And they find their way back to their birthplaces. These phenomena can only be present if a Wise Creator were present to cause this wonderment.
Lesson nine: Love for insects and flowers
Generally when we think of insects and flowers we either say of the flowers that they are beautiful or they cause allergies, and of insects that they are nuisances. All of these statements are true in their proper contexts.
Flowers and plants are beautiful; they have many different colors, shapes and scents. Along with being beautiful they provide oxygen and can be used as a food source for us humans. In them we also find some that have medicinal properties that helps heal people. Flowers and plants have a very big problem that has been solved by our Creator. The problem is that, science has found in the plant kingdom that there are both male and female plants, Allah also attests to this when he says” Glory to Allah, Who created in pairs all things that the earth produces, as well as their own (human) kind and (other) things of which they have no knowledge. Because plants don’t walk like animals they need help in the area of reproduction. This is where the nuisances come in, (the insects). We have come to find that pollen that fertilizes the female plants get to them primarily by insects traveling from one plant to the other.
There is no wonder why plants and insects burst upon the scene at the same time. They are dependant on one another for their survival. Along with plants being beautiful some cause allergic reactions in people. Science now tells us that if people are allergic to say an individual flower if they eat the honey of bees that have eaten primarily from that flower they will build up a natural defense towards that allergy. Allah says of the bee, “And thy Lord taught the Bee to build its cells in hills, on trees, and in (men's) habitations; Then to eat of all the produce (of the earth), and find with skill the spacious paths of its Lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colors, wherein is healing for men: verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought. (HQ 16:68-69). Truly this gift from Allah is also a mercy from Him, and a testament that he knows his creation. He knew that some people would be allergic to flowers and has given them the perfect natural remedy. Glory be to Allah the Knower, the Merciful.
Lesson ten: In the world of infinitely small things
Allah has said, “When Prophet Solomon (p.b.u.h) with his large army of men, jinn, spirits and animals entered a valley where several thousand ants were carrying on with their daily routine on the surface of the earth, they at once decided to enter into their holes inside the earth so that they might not be inadvertently crushed by the hosts of Sulayman.” (HQ 27:18) Allah has also said, “There is not an animal (that lives) on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but (forms part of) communities like you. Nothing have we omitted from the Book, and they (all) shall be gathered to their Lord in the end.”(HQ6: 38). From these Qur’anic verses the ants and other living beings are said to live in communities like us and also they have the ability to communicate with each other. We as humans are sometimes oblivious to these facts.
Science shows that the ant has a lifestyle very similar to ours. Ant society is very complicated, and organized. They have a Queen that they all answer to, nurseries, factories, armies, silos for grain and scouts. People have devoted many years to the study of ant society to bring us this information. The ant if his grains are wet brings them out to dry. If the grain begins to bud he removes the buds, this keeps the grain soft and from taking root. At the sign of danger the scout ant gets word back to the mound to have the mound protected. If the scout ant finds food he leaves a chemical trail that the other ants can follow to get to the food and they will never get lost. There are questions that keep recurring here, who taught the ant what it knows? The answer is always the same, Allah.
The smallest building block of creation recognized is the atom. Everything is made of atoms. Some atoms are very stable on their own and others are very unstable. Some atoms need to combine with others to become stabilized. The periodic table gives us a list of elements and it gives the atomic make up of all of them. Up until recently men thought that there was nothing smaller than the atom but science introduced us to protons and neutrons. Science has also shown how atoms can be split. The splitting of atoms have great benefit and great detriment.
We know how devastating the atomic bombs were to Japan in WWII, it is well documented the destruction it caused to that island. However today that same technology that was used for destruction is now used for energy. In many countries it is the chief source of energy. In many ways the atom or the splitting of the atom can be seen in the same light as iron. That may seem strange, but Allah says, “We sent aforetime our messengers with Clear Signs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance (of Right and Wrong), that men may stand forth in justice; and We sent down Iron, in which is (material for) mighty war, as well as many benefits for mankind, that Allah may test who it is that will help, Unseen, Him and His messengers: For Allah is Full of Strength, Exalted in Might (and able to enforce His Will).” (HQ 57: 25). From this verse Allah lets us know that in iron we can get destruction or benefits. We also see in the smallest of things the atom we can either have destruction or benefit. Allah, there is no god, but he knew what man could do with possessing atomic knowledge. He knew the power of it because we see it manifested everyday in the sun and stars that he created. Nothing was created for naught, Allah is not blind nature he is the Knower.
Appendix to lesson ten: How splendid are Allah’s Qualities!
Know that to the same extent that realizing the existence of Allah through studying the secrets of the created world is easy, learning of His Qualities is difficult and requires a great deal of care and caution.
This is because Allah can never be compared to anything. Allah in his infinite wisdom assures that when he says, “He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; and there is none like unto Him.” (HQ112: 3-4). Ayatollah Pooya in his commentary on this verse states, “Anthropomorphism, the tendency to conceive God in the terms known to man, creeps in at all times and among all peoples. Nothing or no being can be separated from the infinite Supreme Being nor was there anything or being from which He was separated. So neither He begets nor was He begotten. Therefore there cannot be any being like to Him.” So in a nutshell anything we imagine to be Allah is not Allah. So how do we know our Maker? We know him by his qualities.
Allah has Qualities both negative and positive and they’re both infinite. Infinite Qualities of any imagined perfection and negation of all imagined imperfections he doesn’t have.
The most well known Qualities of Allah are:
Allah is the “Knower”(‘Alim): He knows all things.
Allah is Powerful (Qadir): He has ability over all things.
Allah is the Living because something which is living has wisdom, power and because Allah is
Wise and Powerful, thus he is Living
Allah is the Willer (Mur’id) that is He has a Will power and he is not obliged in His work and whatever He does, has a goal and wisdom and even the smallest thing in the universe does not lack a philosophy and a goal.
Allah is Perceiving (Mudrek), that is, He understands and perceives all things; He sees everything; He hears all things and He is aware of all things.
Allah is Primordial and Eternal (Qadim and Azali), that is, He always was and His existence has no beginning because He always boils from His inner Essence and because of this, He is primordial and eternal because a person whose being is from he himself has no non-existence or annihilation.
Allah is the Speaker (Mutakalim), that is, He can create waves in the atmosphere and speak to His Prophet, not that Allah has a tongue or lips or a larynx.
Allah is Truthful (Sadiq), that is, whatever He says is the Truth and is equivalent to reality because lying comes from ignorance or from weakness and a lack of power and it is impossible for Allah Who is Knowing and Powerful, to lie
The Most well known negation of Qualities of Allah are:
He is not a composite. That is, He does not have mixed elements because in this case, He would be in need of other elements, whereas, He is in need of nothing.
Allah is not a body because every body is limited, unstable and accepts annihilation.
Allah is not visible. That is, He cannot be seen because if He could be seen, He would be a body, limited and accepting annihilation.
Allah has no place because He is not a body to require a place.
Allah has no partner because if He had a partner, He would have to be a limited creature because two non-limited, from every point of view, is not possible and in addition, the unity of law of this world shows His Oneness.
His Qualities are exactly like His Essence.
Allah is Needless and Self –sufficient. He is rich and containing everything because an endless being from the point of view of knowledge, power and all things had no deficiencies.
Allah says again, “There is nothing like unto Him.”
Conclusion.
Tawheed or monotheism has been the subject of this composition. It has been shown how everyone searches for his Creator. It has been shown how the Creator manifests himself to his creatures. It has shown how those who don’t acknowledge the Creator behave in adversity as opposed to those who do. Nature was shown to bear witness to the Creator and the Oneness of that Creator. Science and technology have been used and Qualities defined to express Allah’s Unity. The best proof or proclamation of Allah’s unity is from his book, where he says,” Say: "Who is the Lord and Sustainer of the heavens and the earth?" Say: "(It is) Allah." Say: "Do ye then take (for worship) protectors other than Him, such as have no power either for good or for harm to themselves?" Say: "Are the blind equal with those who see? Or the depths of darkness equal with light?" Or do they assign to Allah partners who have created (anything) as He has created, so that the creation seemed to them similar? Say: "Allah is the Creator of all things: He is the One, the Supreme and Irresistible."
Lesson One: Seeking AllahAllah, the Lord, Cherisher, Evolver of the universe who depends on no one and with out Whom no one would exist has given man an innate need to search for Him. Allah says in the Qur’an, “Allah the needless” (112:2) which has also been translated as “Allah, the eternally besought of all” by Izzudd in al-Hayak, shows the fact that everyone searches for Allah. We all have a burning desire to know where we come from. The primitive man with his limited resources have from the beginning of time tried to explain how the world came into being and what his role should be in it. Man came into this world with everything he needs to survive; he didn’t have to find the necessities of life they were already provided for him. Man was never taught how to breath, and a baby was never taught how to suck on his mother’s breast, yet we all breath and are nourished. How did that come to be? There are all different types of plants and animals that were here prior to us, so we could not have created them, so where did they come from and who created them? These are the type of questions that were asked by our ancestors and are still being asked by us today. Fortunately for us Allah in His Omnipotent Wisdom and Knowledge created this inquisitive nature in us to search for the answers to these mysteries and has given us the answers to these perplexing questions. After a thorough examination of cause and effect we come to know that there is a Primary Cause that has instigated all the subsequent effects.
When we don’t find or have an understanding of the Primary Cause we continue to search because we find ourselves unfulfilled and saddened. We do this because the Creator has also given us a need to be thankful because we were only created to worship and praise him. Indeed we have a lot to be thankful for, such as our mental and physical faculties as well as our social relations. In order for us to have a sense of completeness this urge to be thankful has to be addressed and satisfied. Satisfaction only comes from knowing your Lord and until He’s known the search will continue.
While we search for Allah, the Primary Cause, we find ourselves being pulled in many directions. Once the knowledge of there being a primary cause is realized we have to find the correct way of following the commands of Allah “The Primary Cause”. This process is just as difficult if not more difficult than finding the Cause because of everyone having an idea of how we should go about serving Allah. On an everyday basis we find Christians, Jews, Buddhist, Muslims, atheist and others trying to propagate their way of life. Unfortunately every road doesn’t lead to Allah and the way that he has chosen for us. However we are also blessed with fortune because the All Wise Creator and The Primary Cause has given us guidance from the beginning of mans existence as shown by the Holy Qur’an “And received Adam from his Lord words and Allah turned to him mercifully verily, He is the Oft-turning to mercy, the Most Merciful. Said We then, get down ye all together and when cometh from Me unto you a guidance, and whosoever follows My guidance on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve”. (2:37-38). Our learned men in their commentary on this verse states that the guidance that’s being referred to in this verse was created along with the creation of Adam (peace be upon him or p.b.u.h). In this we see that man has always been guided, the key is to be guided aright. With right guidance we can cease searching for Allah and begin knowing him.
Lesson Two: The signs of Allah in our daily life
Allah says in the Qur’an “Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of the night and the day; in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of mankind; in the rain which Allah Sends down from the skies, and the life which He gives therewith to an earth that is dead; in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the earth; in the change of the winds, and the clouds which they Trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth; - (Here) indeed are Signs for a people that are wise.” (2:164). This verse admonishes us to take notice of the natural order of life and how Allah provides sustenance for us. By doing this we will begin the process of getting to know our Lord. We take the time to revere and respect man for his achievements and works. And man’s works fall very, very short of the works of Allah. By contemplating the signs and wonders of Allah we obtain a greater appreciation and knowledge for how great our Lord is. This knowledge allows us to worship Allah and have faith in Him. This knowledge is also essential in us having the right concept of Allah. The wrong concept of Allah will have us worshipping the created and not the Creator. With an incorrect belief system we will find ourselves depressed, frustrated and full of despair. This is the problem faced by materialist, agnostics, scientists, and atheist because through their disbelief they have nowhere to turn to in their time of need. An example of that is, when an agnostic person feels that a bad omen has come on them and they want help from the Almighty how do they address Him, how do they seek His countenance, how will they know what the prescribed actions are to alleviate themselves from this bad omen. They can’t find the solution to their problems because they don’t acknowledge “The Cause” so a lot of them from these groups commit suicide, turn to drugs or withdraw completely from life. This is because they have no hope. Hope can only comes from knowing that Allah, who created all things, has power over all things and has the ability to change all things. When you don’t submit to Allah you can’t know the kindness, love, and mercy that He has for his creatures. Thus leaving us to our own limited and inadequate understanding and depriving ourselves of the Mercy of Allah.
Islam is by definition is the total submission to the will of Allah. Another definition is peace. When we analyze these definitions we can deduce that peace, real peace, can only be obtained by submitting our will to that of Allah. That is the definition of a Muslim. Where in the above paragraph those that didn’t acknowledge Allah fell into peril and despair, the Muslim is assured of the mercy of Allah. Armed with this info the Muslim experiences lest anxiety when he deals with death, fear of the unknown, war and every day life. The Qur’an attests to this when it says, “It is those who believe and confuse not their beliefs with oppression – that they are (truly) in peacefulness, for they are on right guidance.” (6:82).
This peace that Allah bestows upon his devotees also gives him a sense of responsibility towards himself and the creations of Allah. This makes the Muslim learn what his rights are and the rights that others have on him. When a person doesn’t know that he is accountable for all his actions he will not always do his best. He wont cross his t’s nor dot his I’s , he wont see a job through, he wont have compassion for his fellow man. But the Muslim that fears his lord and knows his Lord, knows his responsibility and lives up to them. If everyone knew their rights and the rights of others on them there would be no selfishness, oppression or aggression toward one another.
Allah deals with his creation by His signs (prophets) through them He shows us how we are to deal with life on every level. This is why we have no excuses, our Lord has provided everything for us. And has guided us to righteousness, and in order to be righteous we have to hold true to the trust given to us by Allah most high. The only way to live up to this trust is to have a sense of responsibity, and make it strong within us and nurture it by understanding the signs of Allah.
Lesson Three: Two clear ways of knowing Allah
Man has been said to posses mind, body and soul. The mind and soul are the intellect and spiritual aspects in man. These are his tools that deal with his internal faculties. His eyes, ears, nose, skin and mouth deal with the external. These tools that Allah has given to man allows us to know Him in various ways.
Allah has separated man from his other creation by giving him the ability to reason. With this reasoning, if man is left alone with no external coercion he will undoubtedly come to the conclusion that he didn’t create anything, not even himself, so there has to be a greater force, a Creator that has created everything. The Qur’an gives a great example of man’s inner and external search for him through the story of Prophet Abraham (p.b.u.h). Allah says, “ So also did We show Abraham the power and the laws of the heavens and the earth, that he might (with understanding) have certitude. When the night covered him over, He saw a star: He said: "This is my Lord." But when it set, He said: "I love not those that set." When he saw the moon rising in splendor, he said: "This is my Lord." But when the moonset, He said: "unless my Lord guide me, I shall surely be among those who go astray." When he saw the sun rising in splendor, he said: "This is my Lord; this is the greatest (of all)." But when the sunset, he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from your (guilt) of giving partners to Allah. (6:75-79). In this story we see Prophet Abraham watching the heavens and observing the signs of Allah in nature (the stars, moon and sun). While he is using his physical faculties, he sees the stars, moon and sunrise and set. He when he saw each of them rise he concluded that they must be his Lord, but when they set his internal faculties deduced that these things were created and that the creator of these things must be worshipped. He must be his Lord. Hence Abraham declared “Verily I have turned my face wholly unto Him Who originated the heavens and the earth, being upright, and I am not of the associators.” (6:79) From Ibrahim (as) we find where man has found the right path through his intellect, and also by means of his physical faculties.
Some people never come to that realization. One group of people that used their physical faculties, were actually deceived by the signs of Allah when He bestowed his blessings on them like power, riches, sons and status. Pharaoh and the people of Pharaoh fit this description. There are many references to the story of Pharaoh and Prophet Moses (p.b.u.h) in the Qur’an for this purpose I will use what Allah says,” Then after them We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they wrongfully rejected them: So see what was the end of those who made mischief. Moses said: "O Pharaoh! I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds, - One for whom it is right to say nothing but truth about Allah. Now have I come unto you (people), from your Lord, with a clear (Sign): So let the Children of Israel depart along with me." (Pharaoh) said: "If indeed thou hast come with a Sign, show it forth, - if thou tellest the truth." Then (Moses) threw his rod, and behold! It was a serpent, plain (for all to see)! And he drew out his hand, and behold! It was white to all beholders! Said the Chiefs of the people of Pharaoh: "This is indeed a sorcerer well-versed. "His plan is to get you out of your land: then what is it ye counsel?" They said: "Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while); and send to the cities men to collect- and bring up to thee all (our) sorcerers well-versed." So there came the sorcerers to Pharaoh: They said, "of course we shall have a (suitable) reward if we win!" He said: "Yea, (and more), - for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)." They said: "O Moses! Wilt thou throw (first), or shall we have the (first) throw?" Said Moses: "Throw ye (first)." So when they threw, they bewitched the eyes of the people, and struck terror into them: for they showed a great (feat of) magic. We put it into Moses’ mind by inspiration: "Throw (now) thy rod”: and behold! It swallows up straight away all the falsehoods, which they fake! Thus truth was confirmed, and all that they did was made of no effect. So the (great ones) were vanquished there and then, and were made to look small. But the sorcerers fell down prostrate in adoration. Saying: "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, - "The Lord of Moses and Aaron." Said Pharaoh: "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? Surely this is a trick, which ye have planned in the city to drive out its people: but soon shall ye know (the consequences). "Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on apposite sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross." They said: "For us, We are but sent back unto our Lord: "But thou dost wreak thy vengeance on us simply because we believed in the Signs of our Lord when they reached us! Our Lord! Pour out on us patience and constancy, and take our souls unto thee as Muslims (who bow to thy will)! (HQ 7:103-126) Here we find Allah sending Pharaoh one of his signs (Moses p.b.u.h) with clear evidence. Pharaoh, taking himself to be god was full of arrogance because of what Allah had given to him (power, wealth, sons). Pharaoh’s intellect (inner faculties) was astray because of his physical perceptions concerning the blessing Allah gave him. Allah gave Moses (p.b.u.h) signs to warn Pharaoh of his waywardness and to return him to the path. When Pharaoh saw the physical power of Allah through His signs, Pharaoh resisted and was destroyed. When Pharaoh was drowning he finally acknowledge Allah, and said, “There is no god but the God of Moses (p.b.u.h).” (HQ 10:90). Here we find Allah giving man the opportunity to use his external and internal tools to acknowledge Him by his signs, but man not recognizing his own limitations failed to see Allah’s signs. He failed to see that Allah is not limited and it was Allah that gave man everything he had. May Allah keep us far away from the arrogance of Pharaoh, and may he also remove the veils from our sight so that we acknowledge Him internal and externally.
Allah has designed man to call out to Him in his time of need. At that time he realizes that he has no power. He sees his limitations and has no choice but to call on Allah.. At this time his faculties, internal and external, turn to the Primary Cause for help. Unfortunately after man is delivered from his calamity many of them fall right back into disbelief. The man that doesn’t fall back into disbelief is that man that has used his faculties to bring him to the light of reason. His veils are removed and he has truly come to know his Lord.
Lesson four: An answer to an important question
God, the eternal, there is no god but he, he, who has no partners or associates. He begets not nor was He begotten, and there is none like Him. This by all accounts can be viewed as surah Ikhlas in the Qur’an, but it is actually the concept of Umvelinqangi, pronounced as Walla hu gani held by the South African Zulu tribe. This was their concept of Allah before any European made his way to their land. The Zulu’s are an ancient tribe that was isolated from outside influences and were able to arrive at this concept. We can say that this idea was miraculous, but Allah says in the Qur’an “ And indeed raised We in every nation an apostle (of Ours preaching) that “Worship ye God (only), and shun ye (the worship of every kind of) idol,” so of them were some whom God guided, and of them were others on whom error was confirmed; Therefore travel ye in the earth, then see what hath been the end of the beliers.”(16:36) Allah tells us here that every nation had an apostle sent to them, from among their own people. We have seen a reference from the Qur’an that when Allah created Adam (as) guidance from Allah was present. The Zulu’s aren’t the only ancient people that had this idea, the proof of that comes from the above verse where Allah says “travel the earth and see what happened to the beliers.”
There are some that say that we get our religious beliefs from customs. However customs vary from people to people. The belief that there is a Higher Being can be seen in every people at every place and time. Customs have come to overshadow the belief in the Higher Being, but this Higher Being (Allah) gave guidance to every people. So the custom of Allah giving guidance is actually the most common custom. Allah testifies to this when He says “Verily We sent thee with truth, as a bearer of glad tidings and a warner: and there is not a people but a warner hath gone among them.” (HQ35: 24) This shows that every people had been warned but they didn’t heed the warning. They forgot the revelation, changed it or disregarded it. This caused some people take their other traditions and even nature as being their gods (idols). Allah has given man an innate desire to know Him so that burning turns us back to Him.
Psychologists say, “that the human spirit or soul has four senses”: Sense of knowledge, sense of goodness, sense of beauty, and sense of belief. The sense of worship is rooted deep in our in our spirits. Allah created us this way. None of these senses can be separated from us or from each other. These senses are called fitrat (divinely- created nature) in Islam. This nature allows us to know that love for Allah has always existed and will continue to exist. And faith in Allah is an eternal flame that warms our heart and spirit. In order for us to be successful we have to be aware of this nature and nurture it.
Lesson five: A True story
Imam Ali (p.b.u.h) has said, “Praise be to Allah who wore (the dress of) honor and pride and has chosen them both for Himself giving not to his creatures.” He the Imam continues, “And Allah, The Exalted, has cursed those of his servants who attempt to quarrel with Him over this quality (honor and pride)”.
From the above we see that only Allah has the right to be proud. Al- Mutakabbir is one of the attributes of Allah. This attribute describes how Allah is the One that possesses all greatness, Who is above having any of the qualities of His creatures, Who is above being harmed by the oppressors among His creation, Whose greatness and pride are the super-most. This shows that Allah is the only One that deserves the attributes of greatness, perfection, pride, and glory, all at the same time. Who is greater than Allah? And whom does Allah submit to? The answer to both questions is no one. Thus Allah has said, “Surely evil is the dwelling place of those who are proud.” (HQ16: 59). We find that, the first being to be filled with pride was the Iblis, the shaytan, he was ordered by Allah to bow down to Adam (as) but he was full of pride and Allah cursed him until the day of judgment. (HQ15: 29-33). By us being filled with pride we follow the example of shaytan, the rejected, and that leads straight to the hell fire. What an evil abode it is.
We see that as men we can’t do anything. Those that came before us were punished because they tried to adorn the cloak of Allah (pride). There are many ways for us to show pride, here are a few; we show pride by not obeying Allah, not giving full measure, not supplicating to Allah etc. Pride is a disease of the heart. The cure for it is to submit to Allah, realize everything was created by Him, thus everything belongs to Him, and that we are only here to worship Him.
Lesson Six: The second way of coming to know Allah
Looking at the world we live in, we realize that this world is not in chaos and disorder. On the contrary, we see that this world follows specific laws and follows them without any deviation. Nothing happens haphazardly, it happens for a reason.
The earth is made primarily of water. Approximately 75% of the earth’s surface is water. This no coincidence, every living thing is made from water and is dependent on it for it’s survival. Without this essential element the earth could not support life. With water we grow our crops, give water to our cattle, and hydrate ourselves. It is no wonder why Allah has given us such an abundance of water. We get it from rain, dew, streams, and oceans. In this we see that this world had to be planned by a Master Planner, that knows the needs of the creatures here on earth.
We also see that all creatures have special qualities that allow them to survive. The animals that live in nature have furs and hairs that allow them to deal with cold and heat. In the winter they grow longer and fuller coats and in the summer they shed there winter coats so that they will be cool. This had to be planned because of how this happens all the time without fail. This is evidence of the laws of nature that all creation follows.
Men have been on the face of this earth for eons and have made tremendous strides in the field of science. Man has been a great imitator. All of his systems are based on nature. Man makes airplanes and the concepts of flight come directly from birds. He builds irrigation systems to simulate rain. Man looks at these systems occurring in nature and has to say once again that this system didn’t happen by chance. It had to have been made by a Master Builder.
The probability of an uneducated man going into a computer plant to reconfigure the programs of that system is slim to none. No matter how long he stares at this computer he will never be able to figure it out. There are some geniuses that are capable of doing extraordinary things, but the complexity of a computer system even confounds its makers. There are millions of actions that take place while operating a computer. The computer gathers data, displays that data, saves, deletes, and controls functions of other computers hundreds of miles away. In this world man is that uneducated guy sitting there looking at the huge computer system. Even the brilliant among us can’t begin to imagine what it will take to run this universe. How can a man regulate all the births that occur in plants and animals, how can he regulate temperatures all over the world? How can he not see that it is Allah the Master Planner, and Master Builder, that is in control. He is The Lord, Cherisher, Sustainer, and Evolver of all the worlds. (HQ1:2).
Here we can see that if man were to sit back and ponder the order in nature he will find his Lord. Allah has said “Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day,- there are indeed Signs for men of understanding,- Men who celebrate the praises of Allah, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth, (With the thought): "Our Lord! not for naught Hast Thou created (all) this! Glory to Thee! Give us salvation from the penalty of the Fire. (HQ3: 190. -191) These verses show that if man would ponder these signs in nature we will see that The All-Mighty creator made this system and we will be successful if we praised and worship Him. We can also see that this system was not created for nothing, but for a purpose. All praises belong to Allah.
Lesson seven: Examples from creation
With the advancement of technology the world is as they say a “smaller place”. We are able to see now what was revealed in the Qur’an fourteen hundred years ago because of this newfound technology. The more we learn about this system the more we see the oneness of Allah. Maybe with more advancement we will be able to prove more of the Qur’an.
The human body is truly a work of art, Allah says ”We have created man in the best structure”. (HQ95: 4) This ayat from the Qur’an shows that there was a creator that created us, but in the previous section it was said that technology helped to prove the oneness of Allah. When we see man as an adult it is hard to imagine his humble beginnings, what we see is the end result. A man with two eyes to see, a nose to smell, a mouth to taste, skin to feel and a host of systems that make the machine (man) function. Science and technology has taught us that the most complicated thing on earth is man. We all have different talents, shapes, colors and languages yet we all begin the same way. In this we see that we all breathe, eat and drink to survive. That shows we all have the one creator. Allah says, “Was he not a drop of sperm emitted (in lowly form)? Then did he become a leech-like clot; then did (Allah) make and fashion (him) in due proportion.”
(HQ 75:37-38). When man was fashioned, Allah gave him a respiratory, digestive, and neurological system that is self regulated. Again these aren’t things that man asked for but if he didn’t have them he couldn’t survive.
Here we will take the time to discuss one of the systems that makes man unique from other creatures, that is mans digestive system. Allah has given some animals the ability to only digest herbage, while in others meats. Man can digest both herbage and meats. Man needs nutrients from both to survive. To discuss the entire process here will be lengthy, but in brief digestion starts with saliva in the mouth, digestive enzymes in the stomach, and the distribution of nutrients from the large intestine. After then the body excretes the waste products that will harm the body. This is present not only in man but also through out all creation. The oneness of Allah is seen hereby technology because only with recent technological advances has this information become available. Allah has made these signs available to us fourteen hundred years ago.
Lesson eight: A world of wonder in a small bird
In this lesson, we want to leave aside the large country of our body, which we have briefly touched upon and turn to a look at the wonder of other creatures.
We look at the sky at certain times and we see large groups of birds flying together in well-organized groups. These are called migratory birds and they fly thousands of miles annually to mate. These birds mate at there places of birth. These birds have no maps, compasses or north star system used in cars to guide them to their destination. How are they able to navigate these great distances without the guidance systems we have?
Science now says, that these birds have a natural compass that guides them over these great distances. These birds make these migrations annually. Who taught them how to fly? Allah says,” Do they not observe the birds above them, spreading their wings and folding them in? None can uphold them except (Allah) Most Gracious: Truly (Allah) Most Gracious: Truly it is He that watches over all things.” (HQ67: 67). Who tells them when it is time to make their migrations? Again science has said that birds have a natural instinct that allows these birds to know when to take flight. Allah says, "I put my trust in Allah, My Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving creature, but He hath grasp of its forelock. Verily, it is my Lord that is on a straight Path.” (HQ11: 56). In the commentary of this verse Abdullah Yusef Ali says, “this verse shows that Allah has full control over every creature.” This shows that what science is referring to, as nature is only Allah. More evidence can be seen of this when we find baby birds that have been hurt and are unable to keep up with the flock. Humans have nursed these birds to health and when it is time to make the migration they make that migration without any help. And they find their way back to their birthplaces. These phenomena can only be present if a Wise Creator were present to cause this wonderment.
Lesson nine: Love for insects and flowers
Generally when we think of insects and flowers we either say of the flowers that they are beautiful or they cause allergies, and of insects that they are nuisances. All of these statements are true in their proper contexts.
Flowers and plants are beautiful; they have many different colors, shapes and scents. Along with being beautiful they provide oxygen and can be used as a food source for us humans. In them we also find some that have medicinal properties that helps heal people. Flowers and plants have a very big problem that has been solved by our Creator. The problem is that, science has found in the plant kingdom that there are both male and female plants, Allah also attests to this when he says” Glory to Allah, Who created in pairs all things that the earth produces, as well as their own (human) kind and (other) things of which they have no knowledge. Because plants don’t walk like animals they need help in the area of reproduction. This is where the nuisances come in, (the insects). We have come to find that pollen that fertilizes the female plants get to them primarily by insects traveling from one plant to the other.
There is no wonder why plants and insects burst upon the scene at the same time. They are dependant on one another for their survival. Along with plants being beautiful some cause allergic reactions in people. Science now tells us that if people are allergic to say an individual flower if they eat the honey of bees that have eaten primarily from that flower they will build up a natural defense towards that allergy. Allah says of the bee, “And thy Lord taught the Bee to build its cells in hills, on trees, and in (men's) habitations; Then to eat of all the produce (of the earth), and find with skill the spacious paths of its Lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colors, wherein is healing for men: verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought. (HQ 16:68-69). Truly this gift from Allah is also a mercy from Him, and a testament that he knows his creation. He knew that some people would be allergic to flowers and has given them the perfect natural remedy. Glory be to Allah the Knower, the Merciful.
Lesson ten: In the world of infinitely small things
Allah has said, “When Prophet Solomon (p.b.u.h) with his large army of men, jinn, spirits and animals entered a valley where several thousand ants were carrying on with their daily routine on the surface of the earth, they at once decided to enter into their holes inside the earth so that they might not be inadvertently crushed by the hosts of Sulayman.” (HQ 27:18) Allah has also said, “There is not an animal (that lives) on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but (forms part of) communities like you. Nothing have we omitted from the Book, and they (all) shall be gathered to their Lord in the end.”(HQ6: 38). From these Qur’anic verses the ants and other living beings are said to live in communities like us and also they have the ability to communicate with each other. We as humans are sometimes oblivious to these facts.
Science shows that the ant has a lifestyle very similar to ours. Ant society is very complicated, and organized. They have a Queen that they all answer to, nurseries, factories, armies, silos for grain and scouts. People have devoted many years to the study of ant society to bring us this information. The ant if his grains are wet brings them out to dry. If the grain begins to bud he removes the buds, this keeps the grain soft and from taking root. At the sign of danger the scout ant gets word back to the mound to have the mound protected. If the scout ant finds food he leaves a chemical trail that the other ants can follow to get to the food and they will never get lost. There are questions that keep recurring here, who taught the ant what it knows? The answer is always the same, Allah.
The smallest building block of creation recognized is the atom. Everything is made of atoms. Some atoms are very stable on their own and others are very unstable. Some atoms need to combine with others to become stabilized. The periodic table gives us a list of elements and it gives the atomic make up of all of them. Up until recently men thought that there was nothing smaller than the atom but science introduced us to protons and neutrons. Science has also shown how atoms can be split. The splitting of atoms have great benefit and great detriment.
We know how devastating the atomic bombs were to Japan in WWII, it is well documented the destruction it caused to that island. However today that same technology that was used for destruction is now used for energy. In many countries it is the chief source of energy. In many ways the atom or the splitting of the atom can be seen in the same light as iron. That may seem strange, but Allah says, “We sent aforetime our messengers with Clear Signs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance (of Right and Wrong), that men may stand forth in justice; and We sent down Iron, in which is (material for) mighty war, as well as many benefits for mankind, that Allah may test who it is that will help, Unseen, Him and His messengers: For Allah is Full of Strength, Exalted in Might (and able to enforce His Will).” (HQ 57: 25). From this verse Allah lets us know that in iron we can get destruction or benefits. We also see in the smallest of things the atom we can either have destruction or benefit. Allah, there is no god, but he knew what man could do with possessing atomic knowledge. He knew the power of it because we see it manifested everyday in the sun and stars that he created. Nothing was created for naught, Allah is not blind nature he is the Knower.
Appendix to lesson ten: How splendid are Allah’s Qualities!
Know that to the same extent that realizing the existence of Allah through studying the secrets of the created world is easy, learning of His Qualities is difficult and requires a great deal of care and caution.
This is because Allah can never be compared to anything. Allah in his infinite wisdom assures that when he says, “He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; and there is none like unto Him.” (HQ112: 3-4). Ayatollah Pooya in his commentary on this verse states, “Anthropomorphism, the tendency to conceive God in the terms known to man, creeps in at all times and among all peoples. Nothing or no being can be separated from the infinite Supreme Being nor was there anything or being from which He was separated. So neither He begets nor was He begotten. Therefore there cannot be any being like to Him.” So in a nutshell anything we imagine to be Allah is not Allah. So how do we know our Maker? We know him by his qualities.
Allah has Qualities both negative and positive and they’re both infinite. Infinite Qualities of any imagined perfection and negation of all imagined imperfections he doesn’t have.
The most well known Qualities of Allah are:
Allah is the “Knower”(‘Alim): He knows all things.
Allah is Powerful (Qadir): He has ability over all things.
Allah is the Living because something which is living has wisdom, power and because Allah is
Wise and Powerful, thus he is Living
Allah is the Willer (Mur’id) that is He has a Will power and he is not obliged in His work and whatever He does, has a goal and wisdom and even the smallest thing in the universe does not lack a philosophy and a goal.
Allah is Perceiving (Mudrek), that is, He understands and perceives all things; He sees everything; He hears all things and He is aware of all things.
Allah is Primordial and Eternal (Qadim and Azali), that is, He always was and His existence has no beginning because He always boils from His inner Essence and because of this, He is primordial and eternal because a person whose being is from he himself has no non-existence or annihilation.
Allah is the Speaker (Mutakalim), that is, He can create waves in the atmosphere and speak to His Prophet, not that Allah has a tongue or lips or a larynx.
Allah is Truthful (Sadiq), that is, whatever He says is the Truth and is equivalent to reality because lying comes from ignorance or from weakness and a lack of power and it is impossible for Allah Who is Knowing and Powerful, to lie
The Most well known negation of Qualities of Allah are:
He is not a composite. That is, He does not have mixed elements because in this case, He would be in need of other elements, whereas, He is in need of nothing.
Allah is not a body because every body is limited, unstable and accepts annihilation.
Allah is not visible. That is, He cannot be seen because if He could be seen, He would be a body, limited and accepting annihilation.
Allah has no place because He is not a body to require a place.
Allah has no partner because if He had a partner, He would have to be a limited creature because two non-limited, from every point of view, is not possible and in addition, the unity of law of this world shows His Oneness.
His Qualities are exactly like His Essence.
Allah is Needless and Self –sufficient. He is rich and containing everything because an endless being from the point of view of knowledge, power and all things had no deficiencies.
Allah says again, “There is nothing like unto Him.”
Conclusion.
Tawheed or monotheism has been the subject of this composition. It has been shown how everyone searches for his Creator. It has been shown how the Creator manifests himself to his creatures. It has shown how those who don’t acknowledge the Creator behave in adversity as opposed to those who do. Nature was shown to bear witness to the Creator and the Oneness of that Creator. Science and technology have been used and Qualities defined to express Allah’s Unity. The best proof or proclamation of Allah’s unity is from his book, where he says,” Say: "Who is the Lord and Sustainer of the heavens and the earth?" Say: "(It is) Allah." Say: "Do ye then take (for worship) protectors other than Him, such as have no power either for good or for harm to themselves?" Say: "Are the blind equal with those who see? Or the depths of darkness equal with light?" Or do they assign to Allah partners who have created (anything) as He has created, so that the creation seemed to them similar? Say: "Allah is the Creator of all things: He is the One, the Supreme and Irresistible."
The Wit of a Wise Woman ...
A group of men once visited Rabi’a Basriyah to test her to see if she would make an unguarded comment. “All the virtues have been scattered upon the heads of men,” they said. “The crown of prophethood has been placed on the heads of men. The belt of nobility has been fastened around the waists of men. No women has ever been a prophet.”
“All that is true,” she replied. “But egotism, worshiping one’s self, and “I am your Lord, the Most High” have never sprung from a woman’s breast. All these things have been the specialty of men.”
“All that is true,” she replied. “But egotism, worshiping one’s self, and “I am your Lord, the Most High” have never sprung from a woman’s breast. All these things have been the specialty of men.”
When our mind is fixed upon the Divine and our heart hymns the virtues and exaltations of our God we become cleansed and illuminated from within our soul and the angels of mercy enlighten us and gather around us, forming a column of manifest Light, reaching to the Divine.Let us also reflect upon the source of our spiritual Salvation. God.
He is the Power and the Force. The Light and The Source.
We originate from Him.
And to Him we shall return.
May He forever illuminate our souls, enlighten our minds and purify our hearts until our soul's content.
Ameen
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