Blind Faith and 'Western' Thought... Nah... Give me Islam
"Those who believe in the unseen"...
The above translation is highly inaccurate and reflects a belief in propositions devoid of any rational evidence. The reason most scholars translate the phrase in the above manner is because they regard the 'BA', in the Arabic, as a preposition of the verb 'BELIEVE'. According to Javed Ghamidi, the Quran has attached the particle 'BA' to the word 'GHAYB'. This is substantiatied by other verses in the Quran according to Shehzad Saleem in his explanation of his mentor's tafseer:
"Those who fear their Lord "BIL GHAYB' (though they cannot see Him) and dread the Day of Judgment."
(21:49 Translated by Shehzad Saleem, www.monthly-renaissance.com)
What this implies is soemthing remarkably different than the above phrase. In order to understand this difference, I can do no better than quote Javed Ghamidi:
"The particle 'BA' in the expression 'Yuminuuna BI'L Ghayb' denotes a dharf (nomen locus). The implication being that they accept certain realities without observing them because their existence can be intellectually deduced. Thus, they do not profess faith only in tangible and material facts. They believe in all these realities because present in the Qur’an, in their nature and intuition and in the various phenomena of nature are signs which testify to these realities. These realities may be beyond the perception of senses, but they are certainly not beyond the perception of reason. Thus they are always willing to fulfill the obligations entailed by professing faith in these realities and are also ready to go as far as to sacrifice their material needs to fulfill them."
After this explanation, one can honestly appreciate why the learned commentator has translated the above phrase as:
"those who are professing faith [in certain realities] without observing [them]"...
In my opinion, this is a VERY, VERY PROFOUND observation. While the 'West' tends to view religion as a set of beliefs that have no basis in reason, Islam has such a profound trust in reason SO MUCH SO that salvation hinges upon it's proper usage. The success of a person according to Islam is such that his conduct MUST BE based upon the use of his reason as well as SACRIFICING one's life to live in accordance with the conviction obtained through intellect. Man is a HUGELY visual creature, and his actions are primarily dictated by what he sees. Take a look at the advertising billboards in the city, and it becomes abundantly clear the power of color in convincing men to buy a product. This is the very reason sex plays such a huge role in the life of men throughout history.
"Moses, we will not believe in you until we see God for ourselves."
Islam demands that the material senses be subject to the INTELLECTUAL realities, and not the other way around. The only way to achieve this domination is through a rigorous process of intellectual engagement so that man can achieve certainty. There is no honor in being a human, and no pride in gaining a Paradise without effort.
"I am a sinner with self-respect, I will take no wages without labor,
I am scarred because my fault has been put down to his Decree."
- Iqbal (Translated by Mustansir Mir)
This is the TRUE call of the Quran. Everything the Holy Book calls for is a belief the power of intellectual observation and reason. The Holy Book, full of wisdom, proclaims that tawheed is the only viable option for belief. This, according to the Holy Book, is substantiated by the coherent working of the universe that is manifest around man. The earth cannot bear FRUIT if the HEAVENS do not send rain. Even the seas have provided a means of transport for humankind, allowing for culture and civilization to spring forth as a natural result of trade. This inter-relation of the universe is drawn attention to in Surah Baqarah, when the Holy Book states:
"[Believers! Let them decide] and [regardless of what they think you should now fully understand that] Your God is one God. There is no god but Him. He is the Compassionate, the Ever-Merciful. There is no doubt that in the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alternation of night and day and in the ships that sail in the ocean with cargoes beneficial to man and in the water which God sends down from the sky with which He enlivens the earth after its death, dispersing over it all kinds of living beings and in the manifestations caused by the winds, and in the obedient clouds that are between sky and earth – surely in these there are signs for men of intellect [to understand this reality]."
(Surah Baqarah, verses 163-164, Translated by Shehzad Saleem, www.monthly-renaissance.com)
Often times we read the Quran and fail to appreciate it's powerful nature. The Quran does not simply state observable facts randomly. There is a highly intellectual and profound argument being detailed in these verses. Amin Ahsan Islahi (R) has stated regarding these verses:
If one deeply reflects on this verse, it becomes evident that from its very start to its very end opposite and conflicting elements of this world are referred to and simultaneously their mutual harmony and unity with respect to being beneficial for this world are referred to as well. The heavens and the earth, the night and the day and the sea and the ships that sail through it are apparently conflicting and contradictory to one another but a deep deliberation will show that they are deeply related to one another like complimentary members of a pair. Without the heavens and its glittering suns and moons, our earth will lose all its magnificence and splendour and in fact it will cease to exist. Similarly, without this earth who knows how many abodes in the stars and planets of these expansive heavens would cease to exist. Likewise, just as our life and the life of other living beings of this world need the light, warmth and freshness of the day, they also need the peace, tranquillity and rest provided by the night. It is because of both the day and the night that life thrives here. Take a look at the sea: How bewildering and how vast its expanse is and how awesome and awe inspiring are its waves. But in spite of its commotions and turbulence it allows our ships and fleets to easily steer and set sail through it connecting the east to the west in economy and trade, knowledge and skills, culture and civilization and in many other aspects.
In the next portion of the verse, rain from the heavens and how it enlivens dead land is mentioned. How far apart are the heavens and the earth yet in spite of this huge distance they are close and in proximity with one another. The earth hides within it great treasures of potential life and subsistence but these treasures remain hidden in it unless rain comes and provides them with the sustenance needed to come out. A similar relation exists between the clouds and the winds. These fleets of clouds cannot set sail unless they are helped on by winds and pushed in the directions stipulated for them. It is the winds which drive and propel them to the nooks and corners of the north and the south and the east and the west. It is the winds which are responsible for their appearance and their disappearance.
Now the question is: what does a reflective eye make out of this world? Is it the battlefield of opposite and conflicting forces or is one wise and prudent being ruling these forces using all of them in an orderly way and to achieve a certain collective objective? Obviously, an observation of this universe points to this second case. Still further deliberation yields another fact: this world has not come in existence out of its own accord and neither has it evolved and developed in this manner. If this had been the case how could the conflicting elements have worked in harmony to achieve a higher objective – harmony which is so evident in every part of this universe.
If one reflects even further, one realizes that this one reality on the one hand roots out polytheism and on other hand deals a final blow to all the confusions caused by Darwinism."
(Translated by Shehzad Saleem, www.monthly-renaissance.com)
Notice the intricacy as well as subtlety in the argument of the Quran as explained by Amin Ahsan Islahi. Once you have pondered over it and understood it, then ask yourself about that man by the name of Muhammad ibn Abdullah who lived in the 7th century. Could these intricate arguments of the Quran be the work of a human mind? Could this coherency by the result of the work of multiple hands?
In fact, modern science has further exposed this unity and discovered that quantum particles communicate with each other simultaneously, over large distances of space. Hindus, Muslims, as well as other people of other faiths have clearly shown how this phenomenon demonstrates a remarkable unity in creation.
Re-read the culmination to this beautiful verse:
"Surely, in these are signs of men of intellect."
Another interesting point about this verse is that it occurs after the change in Qibla is made, alluding to the shift in leadership from the Bani Israel to the Bani Ishmael to be the witnesses of the truth to mankind. This in itself is profound, because immediately after the proclamation of the raising of the new ummah is made, Allah begins to elaborate on the new ummah's obligations. The above verse introduces these obligations, and significantly, THE FIRST ONE is a verse elaborating on the liberating philosophy that is tawheed. The deen of Ibraheem (AS) is based upon very profound intellectual truths, and the bearers of the legacy of Ibraheem (AS) are those that are people of INTELLECT and REASON. One cannot be dumb in Islam.
After this verse, the Quran draws attention to the emotional aspect that tends to dictate a person's accepting a certain proposition.
"Yet [in spite of these signs of the heavens and the earth], there are some who associate partners with God. They love them as they should love God. And the believers love [their] God the most. And if these wrongdoers see the time when they will face their punishment [it will become evident to them] that all might and power is God’s alone, and that [for such people] God is stern in retribution."
(Verse 165, Translated by Shehzad Saleem, www.monthly-renaissance.com)
Love is a very powerful motivator in the human being. The Quran first expresses amazement that there are people who have taken objects of their affection above God Almighty, ignoring the manifest blessings bestowed upon man. According to Islam, LOVE of God is the FRUITION of the proper use of reason. It is not a blind emotion, and anything devoid of this aspect of reason is an infatuation that can lead to slavery to other beings besides the One whom is the only One worthy to be worshipped.
This is precisely why Allah elaborates on the various innovation that the religious leaders of past have burdened men with immediately following this verse on love. But before this elaboration, in order to spark the intellectual awakening, the Quran destroys the inferiority complex men have of their leaders by stating that those that are wrong-doers, even those that people hold in esteem, will be thrown in the fire. The Quran abolishes the psychological impediment towards intellectual liberation through this, and further, allows no room for this disease to take root in the soul of men commanding:
"Believers [if they are not willing to abandon their religious innovations, leave them to themselves and] eat [without any hesitation] of the wholesome things with which We have provided you and be grateful to God alone if it is Him you worship. He has forbidden you only carrion, blood, and the flesh of swine, also any flesh that is slaughtered in the name of someone other than God. But whoever is driven to necessity, intending neither to desire nor to transgress, incurs no sin. Indeed, God is Forgiving and Merciful."
(Verse 172-173, Translated by Shehzad Saleem at www.monthly-renaissance.com)
Allah clearly refers to the followers of past faiths as surrendering their beliefs to superstitious customs of their forefathers as well as the 'religious leaders' of the past. They did not understand the honor God Almighty had placed upon man by bestowing upon him intelligence and the power of reason. This verse is clear proof that one CANNOT surrender one's intellect to other people, even to those that wear the religious garb. There is further, another interesting point to note that that God Almighty does not deny love of others, when He, Most Noble, states that the believers love GOD THE MOST. There is absolutely no negation of the need of a human being to love as well as be loved by others. The real problem arises when love becomes an imbalanced emotion.
After all this, how can one rightfully argue that the place of reason in 'Western' thought can match a 'philosophy' that holds reason in such high esteem, so much so that it is the foundation of true spiritual advancement?
The above translation is highly inaccurate and reflects a belief in propositions devoid of any rational evidence. The reason most scholars translate the phrase in the above manner is because they regard the 'BA', in the Arabic, as a preposition of the verb 'BELIEVE'. According to Javed Ghamidi, the Quran has attached the particle 'BA' to the word 'GHAYB'. This is substantiatied by other verses in the Quran according to Shehzad Saleem in his explanation of his mentor's tafseer:
"Those who fear their Lord "BIL GHAYB' (though they cannot see Him) and dread the Day of Judgment."
(21:49 Translated by Shehzad Saleem, www.monthly-renaissance.com)
What this implies is soemthing remarkably different than the above phrase. In order to understand this difference, I can do no better than quote Javed Ghamidi:
"The particle 'BA' in the expression 'Yuminuuna BI'L Ghayb' denotes a dharf (nomen locus). The implication being that they accept certain realities without observing them because their existence can be intellectually deduced. Thus, they do not profess faith only in tangible and material facts. They believe in all these realities because present in the Qur’an, in their nature and intuition and in the various phenomena of nature are signs which testify to these realities. These realities may be beyond the perception of senses, but they are certainly not beyond the perception of reason. Thus they are always willing to fulfill the obligations entailed by professing faith in these realities and are also ready to go as far as to sacrifice their material needs to fulfill them."
After this explanation, one can honestly appreciate why the learned commentator has translated the above phrase as:
"those who are professing faith [in certain realities] without observing [them]"...
In my opinion, this is a VERY, VERY PROFOUND observation. While the 'West' tends to view religion as a set of beliefs that have no basis in reason, Islam has such a profound trust in reason SO MUCH SO that salvation hinges upon it's proper usage. The success of a person according to Islam is such that his conduct MUST BE based upon the use of his reason as well as SACRIFICING one's life to live in accordance with the conviction obtained through intellect. Man is a HUGELY visual creature, and his actions are primarily dictated by what he sees. Take a look at the advertising billboards in the city, and it becomes abundantly clear the power of color in convincing men to buy a product. This is the very reason sex plays such a huge role in the life of men throughout history.
"Moses, we will not believe in you until we see God for ourselves."
Islam demands that the material senses be subject to the INTELLECTUAL realities, and not the other way around. The only way to achieve this domination is through a rigorous process of intellectual engagement so that man can achieve certainty. There is no honor in being a human, and no pride in gaining a Paradise without effort.
"I am a sinner with self-respect, I will take no wages without labor,
I am scarred because my fault has been put down to his Decree."
- Iqbal (Translated by Mustansir Mir)
This is the TRUE call of the Quran. Everything the Holy Book calls for is a belief the power of intellectual observation and reason. The Holy Book, full of wisdom, proclaims that tawheed is the only viable option for belief. This, according to the Holy Book, is substantiated by the coherent working of the universe that is manifest around man. The earth cannot bear FRUIT if the HEAVENS do not send rain. Even the seas have provided a means of transport for humankind, allowing for culture and civilization to spring forth as a natural result of trade. This inter-relation of the universe is drawn attention to in Surah Baqarah, when the Holy Book states:
"[Believers! Let them decide] and [regardless of what they think you should now fully understand that] Your God is one God. There is no god but Him. He is the Compassionate, the Ever-Merciful. There is no doubt that in the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alternation of night and day and in the ships that sail in the ocean with cargoes beneficial to man and in the water which God sends down from the sky with which He enlivens the earth after its death, dispersing over it all kinds of living beings and in the manifestations caused by the winds, and in the obedient clouds that are between sky and earth – surely in these there are signs for men of intellect [to understand this reality]."
(Surah Baqarah, verses 163-164, Translated by Shehzad Saleem, www.monthly-renaissance.com)
Often times we read the Quran and fail to appreciate it's powerful nature. The Quran does not simply state observable facts randomly. There is a highly intellectual and profound argument being detailed in these verses. Amin Ahsan Islahi (R) has stated regarding these verses:
If one deeply reflects on this verse, it becomes evident that from its very start to its very end opposite and conflicting elements of this world are referred to and simultaneously their mutual harmony and unity with respect to being beneficial for this world are referred to as well. The heavens and the earth, the night and the day and the sea and the ships that sail through it are apparently conflicting and contradictory to one another but a deep deliberation will show that they are deeply related to one another like complimentary members of a pair. Without the heavens and its glittering suns and moons, our earth will lose all its magnificence and splendour and in fact it will cease to exist. Similarly, without this earth who knows how many abodes in the stars and planets of these expansive heavens would cease to exist. Likewise, just as our life and the life of other living beings of this world need the light, warmth and freshness of the day, they also need the peace, tranquillity and rest provided by the night. It is because of both the day and the night that life thrives here. Take a look at the sea: How bewildering and how vast its expanse is and how awesome and awe inspiring are its waves. But in spite of its commotions and turbulence it allows our ships and fleets to easily steer and set sail through it connecting the east to the west in economy and trade, knowledge and skills, culture and civilization and in many other aspects.
In the next portion of the verse, rain from the heavens and how it enlivens dead land is mentioned. How far apart are the heavens and the earth yet in spite of this huge distance they are close and in proximity with one another. The earth hides within it great treasures of potential life and subsistence but these treasures remain hidden in it unless rain comes and provides them with the sustenance needed to come out. A similar relation exists between the clouds and the winds. These fleets of clouds cannot set sail unless they are helped on by winds and pushed in the directions stipulated for them. It is the winds which drive and propel them to the nooks and corners of the north and the south and the east and the west. It is the winds which are responsible for their appearance and their disappearance.
Now the question is: what does a reflective eye make out of this world? Is it the battlefield of opposite and conflicting forces or is one wise and prudent being ruling these forces using all of them in an orderly way and to achieve a certain collective objective? Obviously, an observation of this universe points to this second case. Still further deliberation yields another fact: this world has not come in existence out of its own accord and neither has it evolved and developed in this manner. If this had been the case how could the conflicting elements have worked in harmony to achieve a higher objective – harmony which is so evident in every part of this universe.
If one reflects even further, one realizes that this one reality on the one hand roots out polytheism and on other hand deals a final blow to all the confusions caused by Darwinism."
(Translated by Shehzad Saleem, www.monthly-renaissance.com)
Notice the intricacy as well as subtlety in the argument of the Quran as explained by Amin Ahsan Islahi. Once you have pondered over it and understood it, then ask yourself about that man by the name of Muhammad ibn Abdullah who lived in the 7th century. Could these intricate arguments of the Quran be the work of a human mind? Could this coherency by the result of the work of multiple hands?
In fact, modern science has further exposed this unity and discovered that quantum particles communicate with each other simultaneously, over large distances of space. Hindus, Muslims, as well as other people of other faiths have clearly shown how this phenomenon demonstrates a remarkable unity in creation.
Re-read the culmination to this beautiful verse:
"Surely, in these are signs of men of intellect."
Another interesting point about this verse is that it occurs after the change in Qibla is made, alluding to the shift in leadership from the Bani Israel to the Bani Ishmael to be the witnesses of the truth to mankind. This in itself is profound, because immediately after the proclamation of the raising of the new ummah is made, Allah begins to elaborate on the new ummah's obligations. The above verse introduces these obligations, and significantly, THE FIRST ONE is a verse elaborating on the liberating philosophy that is tawheed. The deen of Ibraheem (AS) is based upon very profound intellectual truths, and the bearers of the legacy of Ibraheem (AS) are those that are people of INTELLECT and REASON. One cannot be dumb in Islam.
After this verse, the Quran draws attention to the emotional aspect that tends to dictate a person's accepting a certain proposition.
"Yet [in spite of these signs of the heavens and the earth], there are some who associate partners with God. They love them as they should love God. And the believers love [their] God the most. And if these wrongdoers see the time when they will face their punishment [it will become evident to them] that all might and power is God’s alone, and that [for such people] God is stern in retribution."
(Verse 165, Translated by Shehzad Saleem, www.monthly-renaissance.com)
Love is a very powerful motivator in the human being. The Quran first expresses amazement that there are people who have taken objects of their affection above God Almighty, ignoring the manifest blessings bestowed upon man. According to Islam, LOVE of God is the FRUITION of the proper use of reason. It is not a blind emotion, and anything devoid of this aspect of reason is an infatuation that can lead to slavery to other beings besides the One whom is the only One worthy to be worshipped.
This is precisely why Allah elaborates on the various innovation that the religious leaders of past have burdened men with immediately following this verse on love. But before this elaboration, in order to spark the intellectual awakening, the Quran destroys the inferiority complex men have of their leaders by stating that those that are wrong-doers, even those that people hold in esteem, will be thrown in the fire. The Quran abolishes the psychological impediment towards intellectual liberation through this, and further, allows no room for this disease to take root in the soul of men commanding:
"Believers [if they are not willing to abandon their religious innovations, leave them to themselves and] eat [without any hesitation] of the wholesome things with which We have provided you and be grateful to God alone if it is Him you worship. He has forbidden you only carrion, blood, and the flesh of swine, also any flesh that is slaughtered in the name of someone other than God. But whoever is driven to necessity, intending neither to desire nor to transgress, incurs no sin. Indeed, God is Forgiving and Merciful."
(Verse 172-173, Translated by Shehzad Saleem at www.monthly-renaissance.com)
Allah clearly refers to the followers of past faiths as surrendering their beliefs to superstitious customs of their forefathers as well as the 'religious leaders' of the past. They did not understand the honor God Almighty had placed upon man by bestowing upon him intelligence and the power of reason. This verse is clear proof that one CANNOT surrender one's intellect to other people, even to those that wear the religious garb. There is further, another interesting point to note that that God Almighty does not deny love of others, when He, Most Noble, states that the believers love GOD THE MOST. There is absolutely no negation of the need of a human being to love as well as be loved by others. The real problem arises when love becomes an imbalanced emotion.
After all this, how can one rightfully argue that the place of reason in 'Western' thought can match a 'philosophy' that holds reason in such high esteem, so much so that it is the foundation of true spiritual advancement?
posted by Asim at 7:54 AM
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