thinking in islam |
A treatise about the role of thinking in Islam and an answer to people who do not accept the corroborated and authenticated statements of the Prophet Muhammad as being as such.
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The text, however, serves several other audiences including non-Muslims (generally), those who are curious about the veracity of Islam and sceptics towards Islam.
Thinking in Islam
This article reflects on the issues of thinking in Islam, knowledge in Islam, the sources of knowledge in Islam and the nature of scholars in Islam. It is intended mainly for those people who have doubts about trusting the scholars of Islam and prefer to use their own thinking with which to worship Allah as a supposed safer option. It does, though, also provide a useful reminder for the rest of us.
Can we really get things wrong?
THIS IS A GOOD PLACE TO START THE DISCUSSION. HUMAN NATURE BEING WHAT IT IS, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WE GENERALLY THINK ABOUT ASKING OR ARE GENERALLY TRAINED TO ASK. HUMANS ALWAYS SEEM TO BE LED TO THINKING SOMEHOW THAT THEY ALWAYS KNOW BEST. FOR THIS REASON, HUMANS MAKE A GREAT MANY MISTAKES AND SUFFER A GREAT DEAL AS A RESULT OF NOT ASKING IF THEY HAVE GOT THINGS WRONG, OR MISUNDERSTOOD. I WILL NOT GIVE ANY EXAMPLES HERE OF WHAT COMES AS A RESULT OF HUMANS THINKING THEY KNOW BEST, AS THEY ARE MANY AND NUMEROUS, AND A QUICK GLANCE INTO ANY NEWSPAPER OR AT A TELEVISION NEWS PROGRAMME WILL PROBABLY PROVIDE ENOUGH EXAMPLES, FOR YOU TO COME TO THIS CONCLUSION ON YOUR OWN.
ALLAH SAYS ON THIS POINT:
“…AND IT MAY BE THAT YOU DISLIKE A THING WHILE IT IS GOOD FOR YOU, AND IT MAY BE THAT YOU LOVE A THING WHILE IT IS EVIL FOR YOU, AND ALLAH KNOWS, WHILE YOU DO NOT KNOW…” 2:216
HERE, ALLAH IS SAYING THAT WE MAY HAVE THE IDEA THAT SOMETHING IS GOOD, BUT IT MIGHT NOT ACTUALLY BE GOOD. BUT AFTER EVERYTHING, ALLAH WILL ALWAYS KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT FOR US. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT POINT TO MAKE, AS MANY PEOPLE – EVEN MUSLIMS – GET THE IDEA THAT THEY CAN SOMEHOW USE THEIR THINKING TO WORK OUT WHAT IS GOOD AND BAD.
A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THIS IS LIVING IN THE MODERN AGE. SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT WE NEEDED THE LAWS OF ISLAM A LONG TIME AGO, BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE BARBARIC AND ACTED LIKE ANIMALS, BUT NOW, THEY SAY WE ARE “MORE CULTURED” AND DON’T NEED THESE OLD LAWS ANY MORE: IN FACT, THE LAWS SHOULD BE UPDATED! THE ABOVE-MENTIONED AYAH SHOWS THIS OPINION TO BE A FALSE WAY OF THINKING. NOTE, THE THINKING BEHIND THIS PROVIDES NO EVIDENCE FROM ISLAM ITSELF TO SUPPORT ITS CLAIM.
THE RESULT OF ALLOWING SUCH THINKING IS THAT ALLAH IS EFFECTIVELY REMOVED FROM ANY AFFAIR WE MIGHT REQUIRE GUIDANCE ON. THIS TYPE OF THINKING IS ALSO DECLARING THAT ALLAH IS STUPID (WE SEEK PROTECTION WITH ALLAH FROM BELIEVING THAT). I AM SURE THAT EVERYONE AGREES THAT FORGETTING OUR CREATOR IN ANY SITUATION IS BOUND TO LEAD US TO DESTRUCTION. EVEN SOME OF THE THINKERS, WHO THINK AS WE HAVE JUST DISCUSSED MAY AGREE WITH THIS. AS WE SEE, FINALLY, IN THE VERSE ABOVE, THE CREATOR (ALLAH) HIMSELF IS TELLING US THAT HE KNOWS AND WE DO NOT KNOW, AND WE SHOULD TAKE HEED OF THIS.
ALLAH SAYS ON THIS POINT:
“…AND IT MAY BE THAT YOU DISLIKE A THING WHILE IT IS GOOD FOR YOU, AND IT MAY BE THAT YOU LOVE A THING WHILE IT IS EVIL FOR YOU, AND ALLAH KNOWS, WHILE YOU DO NOT KNOW…” 2:216
HERE, ALLAH IS SAYING THAT WE MAY HAVE THE IDEA THAT SOMETHING IS GOOD, BUT IT MIGHT NOT ACTUALLY BE GOOD. BUT AFTER EVERYTHING, ALLAH WILL ALWAYS KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT FOR US. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT POINT TO MAKE, AS MANY PEOPLE – EVEN MUSLIMS – GET THE IDEA THAT THEY CAN SOMEHOW USE THEIR THINKING TO WORK OUT WHAT IS GOOD AND BAD.
A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THIS IS LIVING IN THE MODERN AGE. SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT WE NEEDED THE LAWS OF ISLAM A LONG TIME AGO, BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE BARBARIC AND ACTED LIKE ANIMALS, BUT NOW, THEY SAY WE ARE “MORE CULTURED” AND DON’T NEED THESE OLD LAWS ANY MORE: IN FACT, THE LAWS SHOULD BE UPDATED! THE ABOVE-MENTIONED AYAH SHOWS THIS OPINION TO BE A FALSE WAY OF THINKING. NOTE, THE THINKING BEHIND THIS PROVIDES NO EVIDENCE FROM ISLAM ITSELF TO SUPPORT ITS CLAIM.
THE RESULT OF ALLOWING SUCH THINKING IS THAT ALLAH IS EFFECTIVELY REMOVED FROM ANY AFFAIR WE MIGHT REQUIRE GUIDANCE ON. THIS TYPE OF THINKING IS ALSO DECLARING THAT ALLAH IS STUPID (WE SEEK PROTECTION WITH ALLAH FROM BELIEVING THAT). I AM SURE THAT EVERYONE AGREES THAT FORGETTING OUR CREATOR IN ANY SITUATION IS BOUND TO LEAD US TO DESTRUCTION. EVEN SOME OF THE THINKERS, WHO THINK AS WE HAVE JUST DISCUSSED MAY AGREE WITH THIS. AS WE SEE, FINALLY, IN THE VERSE ABOVE, THE CREATOR (ALLAH) HIMSELF IS TELLING US THAT HE KNOWS AND WE DO NOT KNOW, AND WE SHOULD TAKE HEED OF THIS.
reflective practice
FROM A PURELY SECULAR VIEWPOINT, PEOPLE HAVE STARTED TO BECOME AWARE THAT THIS PROBLEM OF PEOPLE “THINKING THEY KNOW” CAN BE CURBED IN SOME WAYS. NOW, SOME UNIVERSITY COURSES HAVE STARTED TO COME COMPLETE WITH MODULES IN “REFLECTIVE PRACTICE”, WHICH ENABLE STUDENTS TO REFLECT ON THEIR PERFORMANCE ON A CONTINUAL BASIS, TO DETECT AND CORRECT PROBLEMS WITHIN THEIR ONGOING PRACTICES IN THE FIELD OF THEIR STUDY.
THIS SHOWS US THAT INDEED, THINKING ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING IS CRUCIAL FOR A SUCCESSFUL BEGINNING, MIDDLE AND ENDING IN EVERYTHING WE DO.
THINKING IS ALSO DISCUSSED IN ISLAM. LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE, THINKING HAS ITS PLACE. THE FOLLOWING VERSE SHOULD DEMONSTRATE THIS:
“…THOSE WHO REMEMBER ALLAH STANDING AND SITTING AND LYING ON THEIR SIDES AND REFLECT ON THE CREATION OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH: OUR LORD! THOU HAST NOT CREATED THIS IN VAIN! GLORY BE TO THEE; SAVE US THEN FROM THE CHASTISEMENT OF THE FIRE…” 3:191
“…DO THEY NOT THEN MEDITATE ON THE QURAN? IF IT WERE FROM ANY OTHER THAN ALLAH, THEY WOULD HAVE FOUND IN IT MANY A DISCREPANCY…” 4:82
“…[O BEES] THEN EAT OF ALL THE PRODUCE (OF THE EARTH), AND FIND WITH SKILL THE SPACIOUS PATHS OF YOUR LORD: THERE ISSUES FROM WITHIN THEIR BODIES A DRINK OF VARYING COLOURS, WHEREIN IS HEALING FOR MEN: VERILY IN THIS IS A SIGN FOR THOSE WHO GIVE THOUGHT….” 16:69
“…DOES MAN THINK THAT HE WILL BE LEFT UNCONTROLLED, (WITHOUT PURPOSE)?…” 75:36
NOTICE THE PATTERN: THE VERSES THAT MENTION THE USE OF OUR FACULTY TO THINK OR REFLECT IN A POSITIVE SENSE, RELATE ONLY TO THE SIGNS OF ALLAH AND HIS CREATION, WITH THE INTENT THAT THIS THINKING WILL LEAD A PERSON TOWARDS KNOWING ALLAH AND FOCUSING ON HIM TO THE EXCLUSION OF EVERYTHING ELSE (WORSHIP).
THERE ARE NO VERSES ABOUT THINKING WHICH ASK US TO THINK WHAT A CERTAIN VERSE OF THE QURAN MEANS OR ABOUT HOW TO MAKE A LAW, FOR EXAMPLE.
IT SHOULD ALSO BE STATED HERE, THAT INTERESTINGLY, THERE ARE MANY MORE VERSES IN THE QURAN THAT ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF NEGATIVE THINKING THAN ADDRESS THE ISSUE POSITIVE THINKING, AND THE CONTENT IN SOME CASES, GIVES A THINKER REASON TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR THINKING. IN THE FOLLOWING VERSES, MAKE A NOTE OF THE PEOPLE WITH WHOM NEGATIVE THINKING IS ASSOCIATED AND CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE CLASSED AS BEING AMONG THOSE PEOPLE IN THIS LIFE AND THE NEXT. THE VERSES WERE SELECTED AT RANDOM:
“…THE HYPOCRITES - THEY THINK THEY ARE OVER-REACHING ALLAH, BUT HE WILL OVER-REACH THEM: WHEN THEY STAND UP TO PRAYER, THEY STAND WITHOUT EARNESTNESS, TO BE SEEN OF MEN, BUT LITTLE DO THEY HOLD ALLAH IN REMEMBRANCE…” 4:142
“…HE IT IS WHO ENABLES YOU TO TRAVERSE THROUGH LAND AND SEA; SO THAT YOU EVEN BOARD SHIPS;- THEY SAIL WITH THEM WITH A FAVOURABLE WIND, AND THEY REJOICE THEREAT; THEN COMES A STORMY WIND AND THE WAVES COME TO THEM FROM ALL SIDES, AND THEY THINK THEY ARE BEING OVERWHELMED: THEY CRY UNTO ALLAH, SINCERELY OFFERING (THEIR) DUTY UNTO HIM SAYING, ‘IF YOU DELIVER US FROM THIS, WE SHALL TRULY SHOW OUR GRATITUDE!’…" 10:22
“…THOSE WHO BROUGHT FORWARD THE LIE [OF ACCUSING AISHA, THE MOTHER OF THE BELIEVERS OF ADULTERY] ARE A BODY AMONG YOURSELVES: THINK IT NOT TO BE AN EVIL TO YOU; ON THE CONTRARY IT IS GOOD FOR YOU: TO EVERY MAN AMONG THEM (WILL COME THE PUNISHMENT) OF THE SIN THAT HE EARNED, AND TO HIM WHO TOOK ON HIMSELF THE LEAD AMONG THEM, WILL BE A PENALTY GRIEVOUS…” 24:11
“…PHARAOH SAID: ‘O CHIEFS! NO GOD DO I KNOW FOR YOU BUT MYSELF: THEREFORE, O HAMAN! LIGHT ME A (KILN TO BAKE BRICKS) OUT OF CLAY, AND BUILD ME A LOFTY PALACE, THAT I MAY MOUNT UP TO THE GOD OF MOSES: BUT AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, I THINK (MOSES) IS A LIAR!..’" 28:38
WHICH LEADS US TO ANOTHER POINT: THINKING CAN BE FLAWED. THINKING IS ONLY A HUMAN QUALITY; HOWEVER, ALLAH, AS WE KNOW, IS NOT LIKE US AND DOES NOT THINK – HE KNOWS. THINKING IMPLIES THAT THERE IS A POINT WHERE WE DO NOT HAVE ANY OPINIONS ABOUT SOMETHING AND WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH A PROCESS TO ARRIVE AT SOME IDEAS, BASED ON IDEAS OR INFORMATION WE ALREADY HAVE.
ALLAH HAS ALWAYS KNOWN EVERYTHING AND THEREFORE DOES NOT NEED TO GO THROUGH ANY PROCESSES TO ARRIVE AT CONCLUSIONS ABOUT HOW TO DO A PARTICULAR THING, BECAUSE HE ALREADY KNOWS HOW TO DO EVERYTHING (BEFITTING HIS MAJESTY).
THIS SHOWS US THAT INDEED, THINKING ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING IS CRUCIAL FOR A SUCCESSFUL BEGINNING, MIDDLE AND ENDING IN EVERYTHING WE DO.
THINKING IS ALSO DISCUSSED IN ISLAM. LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE, THINKING HAS ITS PLACE. THE FOLLOWING VERSE SHOULD DEMONSTRATE THIS:
“…THOSE WHO REMEMBER ALLAH STANDING AND SITTING AND LYING ON THEIR SIDES AND REFLECT ON THE CREATION OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH: OUR LORD! THOU HAST NOT CREATED THIS IN VAIN! GLORY BE TO THEE; SAVE US THEN FROM THE CHASTISEMENT OF THE FIRE…” 3:191
“…DO THEY NOT THEN MEDITATE ON THE QURAN? IF IT WERE FROM ANY OTHER THAN ALLAH, THEY WOULD HAVE FOUND IN IT MANY A DISCREPANCY…” 4:82
“…[O BEES] THEN EAT OF ALL THE PRODUCE (OF THE EARTH), AND FIND WITH SKILL THE SPACIOUS PATHS OF YOUR LORD: THERE ISSUES FROM WITHIN THEIR BODIES A DRINK OF VARYING COLOURS, WHEREIN IS HEALING FOR MEN: VERILY IN THIS IS A SIGN FOR THOSE WHO GIVE THOUGHT….” 16:69
“…DOES MAN THINK THAT HE WILL BE LEFT UNCONTROLLED, (WITHOUT PURPOSE)?…” 75:36
NOTICE THE PATTERN: THE VERSES THAT MENTION THE USE OF OUR FACULTY TO THINK OR REFLECT IN A POSITIVE SENSE, RELATE ONLY TO THE SIGNS OF ALLAH AND HIS CREATION, WITH THE INTENT THAT THIS THINKING WILL LEAD A PERSON TOWARDS KNOWING ALLAH AND FOCUSING ON HIM TO THE EXCLUSION OF EVERYTHING ELSE (WORSHIP).
THERE ARE NO VERSES ABOUT THINKING WHICH ASK US TO THINK WHAT A CERTAIN VERSE OF THE QURAN MEANS OR ABOUT HOW TO MAKE A LAW, FOR EXAMPLE.
IT SHOULD ALSO BE STATED HERE, THAT INTERESTINGLY, THERE ARE MANY MORE VERSES IN THE QURAN THAT ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF NEGATIVE THINKING THAN ADDRESS THE ISSUE POSITIVE THINKING, AND THE CONTENT IN SOME CASES, GIVES A THINKER REASON TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR THINKING. IN THE FOLLOWING VERSES, MAKE A NOTE OF THE PEOPLE WITH WHOM NEGATIVE THINKING IS ASSOCIATED AND CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE CLASSED AS BEING AMONG THOSE PEOPLE IN THIS LIFE AND THE NEXT. THE VERSES WERE SELECTED AT RANDOM:
“…THE HYPOCRITES - THEY THINK THEY ARE OVER-REACHING ALLAH, BUT HE WILL OVER-REACH THEM: WHEN THEY STAND UP TO PRAYER, THEY STAND WITHOUT EARNESTNESS, TO BE SEEN OF MEN, BUT LITTLE DO THEY HOLD ALLAH IN REMEMBRANCE…” 4:142
“…HE IT IS WHO ENABLES YOU TO TRAVERSE THROUGH LAND AND SEA; SO THAT YOU EVEN BOARD SHIPS;- THEY SAIL WITH THEM WITH A FAVOURABLE WIND, AND THEY REJOICE THEREAT; THEN COMES A STORMY WIND AND THE WAVES COME TO THEM FROM ALL SIDES, AND THEY THINK THEY ARE BEING OVERWHELMED: THEY CRY UNTO ALLAH, SINCERELY OFFERING (THEIR) DUTY UNTO HIM SAYING, ‘IF YOU DELIVER US FROM THIS, WE SHALL TRULY SHOW OUR GRATITUDE!’…" 10:22
“…THOSE WHO BROUGHT FORWARD THE LIE [OF ACCUSING AISHA, THE MOTHER OF THE BELIEVERS OF ADULTERY] ARE A BODY AMONG YOURSELVES: THINK IT NOT TO BE AN EVIL TO YOU; ON THE CONTRARY IT IS GOOD FOR YOU: TO EVERY MAN AMONG THEM (WILL COME THE PUNISHMENT) OF THE SIN THAT HE EARNED, AND TO HIM WHO TOOK ON HIMSELF THE LEAD AMONG THEM, WILL BE A PENALTY GRIEVOUS…” 24:11
“…PHARAOH SAID: ‘O CHIEFS! NO GOD DO I KNOW FOR YOU BUT MYSELF: THEREFORE, O HAMAN! LIGHT ME A (KILN TO BAKE BRICKS) OUT OF CLAY, AND BUILD ME A LOFTY PALACE, THAT I MAY MOUNT UP TO THE GOD OF MOSES: BUT AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, I THINK (MOSES) IS A LIAR!..’" 28:38
WHICH LEADS US TO ANOTHER POINT: THINKING CAN BE FLAWED. THINKING IS ONLY A HUMAN QUALITY; HOWEVER, ALLAH, AS WE KNOW, IS NOT LIKE US AND DOES NOT THINK – HE KNOWS. THINKING IMPLIES THAT THERE IS A POINT WHERE WE DO NOT HAVE ANY OPINIONS ABOUT SOMETHING AND WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH A PROCESS TO ARRIVE AT SOME IDEAS, BASED ON IDEAS OR INFORMATION WE ALREADY HAVE.
ALLAH HAS ALWAYS KNOWN EVERYTHING AND THEREFORE DOES NOT NEED TO GO THROUGH ANY PROCESSES TO ARRIVE AT CONCLUSIONS ABOUT HOW TO DO A PARTICULAR THING, BECAUSE HE ALREADY KNOWS HOW TO DO EVERYTHING (BEFITTING HIS MAJESTY).
what is the source of "knowing" is islam?
ALLAH SAYS:
“…HAVE KNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS NOTHING WORTHY OF WORSHIP EXCEPT ALLAH, THEN ASK FORGIVENESS FOR YOUR SINS…” 47:19
THE VERY FIRST COMMAND FROM ALLAH IS FOR US TO HAVE KNOWLEDGE. FOR EXAMPLE, ALLAH DIDN’T SAY, “THINK” OR “FEEL” – HE SAID, “KNOW!”. THE ONLY WAY TO “KNOW”ABOUT ALLAH IS THROUGH THE QURAN AND WHATEVER THAT DIRECTS US TO.
ALLAH SAYS:
“…THIS QURAN IS NOT SUCH AS CAN BE PRODUCED BY OTHER THAN ALLAH; ON THE CONTRARY IT IS A CONFIRMATION OF (REVELATIONS) THAT WENT BEFORE IT, AND A FULLER EXPLANATION OF THE BOOK - WHEREIN THERE IS NO DOUBT - FROM THE LORD OF THE WORLDS…” 10:37
THE QURAN IS THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF INFORMATION WE HAVE FROM ALLAH. IT IS, THEREFORE, THE ONLY WAY OF KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT ALLAH ORDERS US TO DO OR NOT TO DO. THE ONLY CONNECTION IN TERMS OF INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE WITH ALLAH IS ACTUALLY JUST PAGES OF BOOKS - ALTHOUGH WE SPEAK TO ALLAH, ALLAH DOESN'T SPEAK TO US DIRECTLY. WE ONLY HAVE THE BOOKS AND HIS SIGNS ALL AROUND US. WHAT WE HAVE BE SURE OF, THEREFORE, IS THE PERFECTION OF THE QURAN: IS IT WHAT IT SAYS IT IS, I.E., FREE FROM CONTRADICTIONS, ERRORS AND OTHER MISTAKES?
“…HAVE KNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS NOTHING WORTHY OF WORSHIP EXCEPT ALLAH, THEN ASK FORGIVENESS FOR YOUR SINS…” 47:19
THE VERY FIRST COMMAND FROM ALLAH IS FOR US TO HAVE KNOWLEDGE. FOR EXAMPLE, ALLAH DIDN’T SAY, “THINK” OR “FEEL” – HE SAID, “KNOW!”. THE ONLY WAY TO “KNOW”ABOUT ALLAH IS THROUGH THE QURAN AND WHATEVER THAT DIRECTS US TO.
ALLAH SAYS:
“…THIS QURAN IS NOT SUCH AS CAN BE PRODUCED BY OTHER THAN ALLAH; ON THE CONTRARY IT IS A CONFIRMATION OF (REVELATIONS) THAT WENT BEFORE IT, AND A FULLER EXPLANATION OF THE BOOK - WHEREIN THERE IS NO DOUBT - FROM THE LORD OF THE WORLDS…” 10:37
THE QURAN IS THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF INFORMATION WE HAVE FROM ALLAH. IT IS, THEREFORE, THE ONLY WAY OF KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT ALLAH ORDERS US TO DO OR NOT TO DO. THE ONLY CONNECTION IN TERMS OF INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE WITH ALLAH IS ACTUALLY JUST PAGES OF BOOKS - ALTHOUGH WE SPEAK TO ALLAH, ALLAH DOESN'T SPEAK TO US DIRECTLY. WE ONLY HAVE THE BOOKS AND HIS SIGNS ALL AROUND US. WHAT WE HAVE BE SURE OF, THEREFORE, IS THE PERFECTION OF THE QURAN: IS IT WHAT IT SAYS IT IS, I.E., FREE FROM CONTRADICTIONS, ERRORS AND OTHER MISTAKES?
IS THE QURAN 100% THE WORD OF ALLAH?
WE HAVE TO TAKE ALL OF ALLAH’S ORDERS FROM THE QURAN, SO WE MUST BE SURE IT IS 100% FROM ALLAH. HOW DO WE KNOW THIS FOR SURE? PERHAPS SOMEONE WROTE IT OR CHANGED PARTS OF IT. ALLAH SAYS:
“…INDEED, WE HAVE REVEALED THE QURAN AND IT IS WE WHO ARE GOING TO PROTECT IT…” 15:9
ALLAH ALSO SETS US MANY CHALLENGES IN THE QURAN, TO ASSURE US THAT IT IS IN FACT 100% FROM HIM. I WILL GIVE ONE EXAMPLE HERE, WHICH IS:
“…AND IF YOU ARE IN DOUBT AS TO THAT WHICH WE HAVE REVEALED TO OUR SERVANT, THEN PRODUCE A CHAPTER LIKE IT AND CALL ON YOUR WITNESSES BESIDES ALLAH IF YOU ARE TRUTHFUL…” 2:23
TO THIS DAY, NOBODY HAS BEEN ABLE TO PRODUCE ANYTHING LIKE EVEN A SINGLE VERSE OF THE QURAN! SO, WE CAN BE SURE THAT THE QURAN WE HAVE TODAY IS DEFINITELY THE QURAN THAT WAS GIVEN TO OUR MESSENGER OVER 1,400 YEARS AGO. IT HAS NOT CHANGED AT ALL. THIS IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER PUBLICATION PRODUCED BEFORE OR AT THE SAME TIME (FOR EXAMPLE, ANOTHER HOLY SCRIPTURE): ALL HAVE UNDERGONE CHANGES OR SOME SORT OR ANOTHER, BUT NOT THE QURAN! DOT-FOR-DOT, LETTER FOR LETTER, THE QURAN HAS REMAINED UNCHANGED FOR OVER FOURTEEN CENTURIES, AND IS MEMORIZED THE WORLD OVER BY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE EVERY YEAR, WHO DO NOT, IN MANY CASES UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF THE QURAN.
ANOTHER POINT IS THAT IF ALL OF THE VERSIONS OF THE COPIES OF ALL THE HOLY BOOKS IN THE WORLD - AND ANY WRITTEN REFERENCES TO THEM - WERE TO BE BROUGHT TO ONE PLACE AND THEN DESTROYED, [THE TEXTUAL REPRESENTATIONS OF] THE QURAN IS THE ONLY TEXT WHICH COULD EVER BE REWRITTEN FROM SCRATCH IN ABOUT A WEEK, PRECISELY, LETTER FOR LETTER. THIS IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE QURAN IS RECITED, STUDIED AND COMPLETELY MEMORISED BY MILLIONS OF INDIVIDUALS IN THE MUSLIM NATION EACH AND EVERY DAY.
THERE ARE OTHER VERSES PLACED THROUGHOUT THE QURAN, WHICH WERE REVEALED TO CHALLENGE THE PEOPLE AT THE TIME OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD WHO DOUBTED THE ORIGIN OF THE QURAN. THESE VERSES FORM A SERIES, STARTING BY ASKING QUESTIONERS TO PRODUCE THE LIKE OF THE WHOLE QURAN, THEN DOWN TO TEN CHAPTERS, THEN DOWN TO ONE CHAPTER (AS SHOWN ABOVE), DOWN TO TEN VERSES, DOWN TO FINALLY, ONE VERSE. THE SHORTEST VERSE IN THE QURAN IS FIVE LETTERS LONG, BUT FROM THOSE FIVE LETTERS UPWARDS, THE QURAN HAS REMAINED UNCHANGED IN ANY WAY FOR OVER FOURTEEN CENTURIES.
THESE TWO CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WRITTEN AND MEMORISED TEXT ARE CERTAINLY WONDROUS AND DISTINGUISH THE QURAN FROM ANY OTHER BOOK IN EXISTENCE; AND EVEN SO, THESE ARE ONLY TWO FEATURES OUT OF MANY WHICH FORM WHAT COULD BE TERMED AS THE UNIQUE FINGERPRINT OF THE QURAN: THE REVELATION TO US FROM ALLAH OUR CREATOR.
“…LET THEM THEN PRODUCE A QURAN LIKE UNTO IT,- IF (IT BE) THEY SPEAK THE TRUTH!…” 52:34
“…OR, DO THEY SAY: HE HAS FORGED IT. SAY: THEN BRING TEN FORGED CHAPTERS LIKE IT AND CALL UPON WHOM YOU CAN BESIDES ALLAH, IF YOU ARE TRUTHFUL…” 11:13
“…AND IF YOU ARE IN DOUBT AS TO THAT WHICH WE HAVE REVEALED TO OUR SERVANT, THEN PRODUCE A CHAPTER LIKE IT AND CALL ON YOUR WITNESSES BESIDES ALLAH IF YOU ARE TRUTHFUL…” 2:23
“…INDEED, WE HAVE REVEALED THE QURAN AND IT IS WE WHO ARE GOING TO PROTECT IT…” 15:9
ALLAH ALSO SETS US MANY CHALLENGES IN THE QURAN, TO ASSURE US THAT IT IS IN FACT 100% FROM HIM. I WILL GIVE ONE EXAMPLE HERE, WHICH IS:
“…AND IF YOU ARE IN DOUBT AS TO THAT WHICH WE HAVE REVEALED TO OUR SERVANT, THEN PRODUCE A CHAPTER LIKE IT AND CALL ON YOUR WITNESSES BESIDES ALLAH IF YOU ARE TRUTHFUL…” 2:23
TO THIS DAY, NOBODY HAS BEEN ABLE TO PRODUCE ANYTHING LIKE EVEN A SINGLE VERSE OF THE QURAN! SO, WE CAN BE SURE THAT THE QURAN WE HAVE TODAY IS DEFINITELY THE QURAN THAT WAS GIVEN TO OUR MESSENGER OVER 1,400 YEARS AGO. IT HAS NOT CHANGED AT ALL. THIS IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER PUBLICATION PRODUCED BEFORE OR AT THE SAME TIME (FOR EXAMPLE, ANOTHER HOLY SCRIPTURE): ALL HAVE UNDERGONE CHANGES OR SOME SORT OR ANOTHER, BUT NOT THE QURAN! DOT-FOR-DOT, LETTER FOR LETTER, THE QURAN HAS REMAINED UNCHANGED FOR OVER FOURTEEN CENTURIES, AND IS MEMORIZED THE WORLD OVER BY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE EVERY YEAR, WHO DO NOT, IN MANY CASES UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF THE QURAN.
ANOTHER POINT IS THAT IF ALL OF THE VERSIONS OF THE COPIES OF ALL THE HOLY BOOKS IN THE WORLD - AND ANY WRITTEN REFERENCES TO THEM - WERE TO BE BROUGHT TO ONE PLACE AND THEN DESTROYED, [THE TEXTUAL REPRESENTATIONS OF] THE QURAN IS THE ONLY TEXT WHICH COULD EVER BE REWRITTEN FROM SCRATCH IN ABOUT A WEEK, PRECISELY, LETTER FOR LETTER. THIS IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE QURAN IS RECITED, STUDIED AND COMPLETELY MEMORISED BY MILLIONS OF INDIVIDUALS IN THE MUSLIM NATION EACH AND EVERY DAY.
THERE ARE OTHER VERSES PLACED THROUGHOUT THE QURAN, WHICH WERE REVEALED TO CHALLENGE THE PEOPLE AT THE TIME OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD WHO DOUBTED THE ORIGIN OF THE QURAN. THESE VERSES FORM A SERIES, STARTING BY ASKING QUESTIONERS TO PRODUCE THE LIKE OF THE WHOLE QURAN, THEN DOWN TO TEN CHAPTERS, THEN DOWN TO ONE CHAPTER (AS SHOWN ABOVE), DOWN TO TEN VERSES, DOWN TO FINALLY, ONE VERSE. THE SHORTEST VERSE IN THE QURAN IS FIVE LETTERS LONG, BUT FROM THOSE FIVE LETTERS UPWARDS, THE QURAN HAS REMAINED UNCHANGED IN ANY WAY FOR OVER FOURTEEN CENTURIES.
THESE TWO CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WRITTEN AND MEMORISED TEXT ARE CERTAINLY WONDROUS AND DISTINGUISH THE QURAN FROM ANY OTHER BOOK IN EXISTENCE; AND EVEN SO, THESE ARE ONLY TWO FEATURES OUT OF MANY WHICH FORM WHAT COULD BE TERMED AS THE UNIQUE FINGERPRINT OF THE QURAN: THE REVELATION TO US FROM ALLAH OUR CREATOR.
“…LET THEM THEN PRODUCE A QURAN LIKE UNTO IT,- IF (IT BE) THEY SPEAK THE TRUTH!…” 52:34
“…OR, DO THEY SAY: HE HAS FORGED IT. SAY: THEN BRING TEN FORGED CHAPTERS LIKE IT AND CALL UPON WHOM YOU CAN BESIDES ALLAH, IF YOU ARE TRUTHFUL…” 11:13
“…AND IF YOU ARE IN DOUBT AS TO THAT WHICH WE HAVE REVEALED TO OUR SERVANT, THEN PRODUCE A CHAPTER LIKE IT AND CALL ON YOUR WITNESSES BESIDES ALLAH IF YOU ARE TRUTHFUL…” 2:23
chilling warning
“…AND WHO IS MORE UNJUST THAN HE WHO FORGES A LIE AGAINST ALLAH, OR SAYS: IT HAS BEEN REVEALED TO ME; WHILE NOTHING HAS BEEN REVEALED TO HIM, AND HE WHO SAYS: I CAN REVEAL THE LIKE OF WHAT ALLAH HAS REVEALED? AND IF YOU HAD SEEN WHEN THE UNJUST SHALL BE IN THE AGONIES OF DEATH AND THE ANGELS SHALL SPREAD FORTH THEIR HANDS: GIVE UP YOUR SOULS; TODAY SHALL YOU BE RECOMPENSED WITH AN IGNOMINIOUS CHASTISEMENT BECAUSE YOU SPOKE AGAINST ALLAH OTHER THAN THE TRUTH AND (BECAUSE) YOU SHOWED PRIDE AGAINST HIS COMMUNICATIONS…” 6:93
WE LEARN OF THE FATE OF SPEAKING ABOUT ALLAH WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE. THE VERSE REFERS TO THE TEXT OF VERSES. BUT INCLUDES THE MEANINGS OF THE VERSES, AS WE LEARN THAT THE MEANINGS OF THE QURAN WERE REVEALED TO THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD ALSO:
“…WITH CLEAR ARGUMENTS AND SCRIPTURES; AND WE HAVE REVEALED TO YOU THE REMINDER THAT YOU MAY MAKE CLEAR TO MEN WHAT HAS BEEN REVEALED TO THEM, AND THAT HAPLY THEY MAY REFLECT…” 16:44
THIS VERSE THEREFORE ALSO REFERS TO A PERSON WHO CLAIMS TO KNOW WHAT A VERSE MEANS, WITHOUT HAVING CHECKED WITH THE PROPHET AS TO ITS MEANING, WHERE THIS IS POSSIBLE. AS IS MADE CLEAR WITH THIS VERSE, THE PROPHET IS THE FIRST POINT OF CALL FOR UNDERSTANDING: UNTIL YOU HAVE CONSULTED WITH HIM, YOU CANNOT SAY YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT ANY VERSE IN THE QURAN MEANS.
NOW, THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE TODAY WHO CLAIM THAT WE CAN NO LONGER TRUST THE HADITH OF THE PROPHET BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN TRANSMITTED DOWN THROUGH THE CENTURIES BY MEN, WHO, BY THEIR NATURE, ARE PRONE TO CORRUPTION. AS THIS ESSAY IS NOT DIRECTED TOWARDS THE SCIENCE OF HADITH COLLECTION, HERE ARE A FEW POINTS TO COVER THIS CONNECTED SUBJECT:
ALLAH SAYS:
“…AND WE DID NOT SEND BEFORE YOU ANY BUT MEN TO WHOM WE SENT REVELATION - SO ASK THE FOLLOWERS OF THE REMINDER IF YOU DO NOT KNOW…” 16:43
IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE QURAN MEANS, GO AND ASK THE “FOLLOWERS” OF THE SCRIPTURE: THE VERSE IS TALKING ABOUT THE PREVIOUS SCRIPTURES GIVEN TO THE MUSLIMS (E.G. THE TORAH, THE GOSPEL, THE PSALMS, AND THE OTHER 309 REVEALED BOOKS), BUT THE VERSE CAN ALSO BE APPLIED TO THE QURAN.
THE PRINCIPLE “FOLLOWERS” WILL ALWAYS BE THE PROPHETS AND THEN THOSE WHO FIRST RECEIVED THE MEANINGS FROM THE PROPHETS (I.E. THE SCHOLARS), AND SO ON, AS THE MESSAGE IS DISSEMINATED DOWN TO THE PEOPLE. IN OTHER TRANSLATIONS, THE WORDS “PEOPLE OF KNOWLEDGE” ARE SOMETIMES USED. THE ORIGINAL TEXT READS, “AHLA-TH THIKR” (I.E. “THE PEOPLE OF THE REMINDER”), WHICH MEANS THE RABBIS AND PRIESTS AND SUCH LIKE.
THE PRINCIPLE IS THAT WE TAKE THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE VERSES OF THE QURAN ENTIRELY FROM THE SCHOLARS. IT IS NOT FOR ANY PERSON WITHOUT THE RESPECTIVE KNOWLEDGE TO CLAIM THAT BECAUSE SCHOLARS ARE CORRUPT, THEY CAN INTERPRET THE QURAN THEMSELVES.
ALLAH DID NOT LAY ANY CONDITION OF HOW “CORRUPT” A SCHOLAR IS AS A CRITERION FOR DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT TO GO TO A SCHOLAR AND ASK THEM FOR ADVICE. SCHOLARS THEREFORE MUST BE CONSULTED REGARDING THE MEANINGS OF THE QURAN. THIS VERSE IS ACTUALLY A GENERAL PROOF THAT SCHOLARS BY DEFINITION ARE NOT CORRUPT; IF THEY WERE, ALLAH WHO KNOWS THE FUTURE WOULD NOT HAVE ADVISED US TO ASK THEM FOR ADVICE REGARDING THE MEANINGS OF THE QURAN IN THE FIRST PLACE.
WE LEARN OF THE FATE OF SPEAKING ABOUT ALLAH WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE. THE VERSE REFERS TO THE TEXT OF VERSES. BUT INCLUDES THE MEANINGS OF THE VERSES, AS WE LEARN THAT THE MEANINGS OF THE QURAN WERE REVEALED TO THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD ALSO:
“…WITH CLEAR ARGUMENTS AND SCRIPTURES; AND WE HAVE REVEALED TO YOU THE REMINDER THAT YOU MAY MAKE CLEAR TO MEN WHAT HAS BEEN REVEALED TO THEM, AND THAT HAPLY THEY MAY REFLECT…” 16:44
THIS VERSE THEREFORE ALSO REFERS TO A PERSON WHO CLAIMS TO KNOW WHAT A VERSE MEANS, WITHOUT HAVING CHECKED WITH THE PROPHET AS TO ITS MEANING, WHERE THIS IS POSSIBLE. AS IS MADE CLEAR WITH THIS VERSE, THE PROPHET IS THE FIRST POINT OF CALL FOR UNDERSTANDING: UNTIL YOU HAVE CONSULTED WITH HIM, YOU CANNOT SAY YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT ANY VERSE IN THE QURAN MEANS.
NOW, THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE TODAY WHO CLAIM THAT WE CAN NO LONGER TRUST THE HADITH OF THE PROPHET BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN TRANSMITTED DOWN THROUGH THE CENTURIES BY MEN, WHO, BY THEIR NATURE, ARE PRONE TO CORRUPTION. AS THIS ESSAY IS NOT DIRECTED TOWARDS THE SCIENCE OF HADITH COLLECTION, HERE ARE A FEW POINTS TO COVER THIS CONNECTED SUBJECT:
ALLAH SAYS:
“…AND WE DID NOT SEND BEFORE YOU ANY BUT MEN TO WHOM WE SENT REVELATION - SO ASK THE FOLLOWERS OF THE REMINDER IF YOU DO NOT KNOW…” 16:43
IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE QURAN MEANS, GO AND ASK THE “FOLLOWERS” OF THE SCRIPTURE: THE VERSE IS TALKING ABOUT THE PREVIOUS SCRIPTURES GIVEN TO THE MUSLIMS (E.G. THE TORAH, THE GOSPEL, THE PSALMS, AND THE OTHER 309 REVEALED BOOKS), BUT THE VERSE CAN ALSO BE APPLIED TO THE QURAN.
THE PRINCIPLE “FOLLOWERS” WILL ALWAYS BE THE PROPHETS AND THEN THOSE WHO FIRST RECEIVED THE MEANINGS FROM THE PROPHETS (I.E. THE SCHOLARS), AND SO ON, AS THE MESSAGE IS DISSEMINATED DOWN TO THE PEOPLE. IN OTHER TRANSLATIONS, THE WORDS “PEOPLE OF KNOWLEDGE” ARE SOMETIMES USED. THE ORIGINAL TEXT READS, “AHLA-TH THIKR” (I.E. “THE PEOPLE OF THE REMINDER”), WHICH MEANS THE RABBIS AND PRIESTS AND SUCH LIKE.
THE PRINCIPLE IS THAT WE TAKE THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE VERSES OF THE QURAN ENTIRELY FROM THE SCHOLARS. IT IS NOT FOR ANY PERSON WITHOUT THE RESPECTIVE KNOWLEDGE TO CLAIM THAT BECAUSE SCHOLARS ARE CORRUPT, THEY CAN INTERPRET THE QURAN THEMSELVES.
ALLAH DID NOT LAY ANY CONDITION OF HOW “CORRUPT” A SCHOLAR IS AS A CRITERION FOR DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT TO GO TO A SCHOLAR AND ASK THEM FOR ADVICE. SCHOLARS THEREFORE MUST BE CONSULTED REGARDING THE MEANINGS OF THE QURAN. THIS VERSE IS ACTUALLY A GENERAL PROOF THAT SCHOLARS BY DEFINITION ARE NOT CORRUPT; IF THEY WERE, ALLAH WHO KNOWS THE FUTURE WOULD NOT HAVE ADVISED US TO ASK THEM FOR ADVICE REGARDING THE MEANINGS OF THE QURAN IN THE FIRST PLACE.
a story from the quran about thinking
CHAPTER 18 (SOOWRAT-UL KAHF – THE CHAPTER OF THE CAVE) OF THE QURAN CONTAINS SEVERAL SHORT STORIES. EACH OF THESE STORIES TEACHES US A LESSON. THE PROPHET ENCOURAGED READING THE WHOLE CHAPTER, EACH AND EVERY FRIDAY, STATING THAT IT WOULD PROVIDE A LIGHT FOR US BETWEEN THAT FRIDAY AND THE NEXT FRIDAY.
OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO THIS ARTICLE IS ONE OF THE SEVERAL STORIES IN THIS CHAPTER WHICH DEALS WITH A SHORT MEETING INVOLVING TWO INDIVIDUALS, OF WHOM, AT LEAST ONE WAS A PROPHET (SOME BELIEVE THAT BOTH WERE PROPHETS, BUT THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE WE WISH TO MAKE HERE. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, WE WILL ASSUME THAT ONLY ONE WAS A PROPHET).
SO, THE STORY STARTS BEFORE THE PROPHET MEETS THE OTHER SIGNIFICANT PERSON IN THE STORY. THE PROPHET’S PEOPLE ASK HIM, “WHO IS THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE?” TO WHICH THE PROPHET REPLIES, “I AM”. AS SOON AS HE HAS REPLIED, ALLAH REMINDS THE PROPHET THAT HE SHOULD HAVE SAID THAT ALLAH IS THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE.
ALLAH THEN ORDERS THE PROPHET TO GO ON A JOURNEY AND WHEN SUCH-AND-SUCH THING HAPPENS, HE WILL MEET A MAN WHO KNOWS THINGS WHICH ALLAH HAS TAUGHT THE MAN, BUT WHICH THE PROPHET DOES NOT KNOW.
WHEN THE PROPHET MEETS THE MAN, THE PROPHET IS EAGER TO TRAVEL WITH THE MAN AND LEARN THE THINGS THAT ALLAH HAS TAUGHT HIM. THE MAN EXPLAINS, “YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REMAIN PATIENT WITH ME, BECAUSE HOW CAN YOU REMAIN PATIENT ABOUT SOMETHING THAT YOU DON’T HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE?” THE PROPHET REPLIES THAT IF ALLAH WILLS, HE WILL REMAIN PATIENT WITH THE MAN. THE MAN STATES, “IF YOU WANT TO FOLLOW ME, DON’T ASK ME ABOUT ANYTHING THAT I DO, UNTIL I MYSELF TELL YOU WHY I HAVE DONE IT.”
THE MAN DOES THREE THINGS WHICH THE PROPHET CONSIDERS TO BE WRONG. EACH TIME, THE MAN EXPLAINS, “I TOLD YOU – YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REMAIN PATIENT WITH ME”, AND EACH TIME, (ENDING WITH THE THIRD OUTBURST FROM THE PROPHET), THE MAN REPLIES AS BEFORE. ON THE THIRD OCCASION OF THE PROPHET BEING SHOCKED AT THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE MAN, THE MAN EXPLAINS WHY HE DID EACH OF THE THREE THINGS, AND THEN THE TWO PART WAYS.
THE PROPHET IN THE STORY IS OUR PROPHET MOSES, WHILE THE MAN, AS YOU MAY KNOW IS CALLED “KHIDR” (WHOM, SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE WAS ALSO A PROPHET).
EACH SHORT STORY IN SOOWRATU-L KAHF ENDS WITH A LESSON. WHAT LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM THE STORY? THERE ARE MANY. HERE ARE SOME RELATED TO THE SUBJECT OF THIS ESSAY:
FIRST, WE LEARN THAT THE PEOPLE LOOK TO THE PROPHETS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH GUIDANCE; IN THE STORY, THE PEOPLE ASK THE PROPHET WHO IS THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE.
SECOND, MEN – PROPHETS INCLUDED – DO NOT POSSESS ABSOLUTE KNOWLEDGE.
THIRD, ALLAH IS THE ONE WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING AND TEACHES US WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW.
FOURTH, A QUALITY OF PEOPLE IS THEIR TENDENCY TO USE THEIR THINKING IN MATTERS WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN EXPRESSLY BEEN TOLD NOT TO USE IT: PEOPLE SOMETIMES USE THEIR LIMITED UNDERSTANDING BEYOND ITS SCOPE TO EXPLAIN THINGS, WITH THE RESULT THAT THEY ARE USUALLY WRONG.
IT SHOULD BE CLEAR NOW THAT THINKING IS A GIFT WHICH ALLAH HAS GIVEN US TO DRAW US CLOSER TO HIM, BY REFLECTING ON HIS SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS AND ON THE EARTH. THINKING IS OFTEN USED AS A REPLACEMENT FOR KNOWLEDGE – WHEN WE DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWER TO SOMETHING – BECAUSE KNOWLEDGE IS IMPORTANT TO USE FOR OUR WELL BEING AND BECAUSE WE GENERALLY NEED GOOD RESULTS QUICKLY IN LIFE, TO SOLVE THE CONSTANT EMERGENCIES CREATED FOR US.
WE CAN ONLY GET KNOWLEDGE FROM “THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW”, WHICH FOR US IS THE SCHOLARS AND THAT USING OUR THINKING AS A REPLACEMENT FOR THE SCHOLARS WILL ONLY CAUSE US TO SLEEPWALK INTO THE FIRE.
“…IF YE INVOKE THEM, THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO YOUR CALL, AND IF THEY WERE TO LISTEN, THEY CANNOT ANSWER YOUR (PRAYER). ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT THEY WILL REJECT YOUR "PARTNERSHIP". AND NONE, (O MAN!) CAN TELL THEE (THE TRUTH) LIKE THE ONE WHO IS ACQUAINTED WITH ALL THINGS…” 35:14
OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO THIS ARTICLE IS ONE OF THE SEVERAL STORIES IN THIS CHAPTER WHICH DEALS WITH A SHORT MEETING INVOLVING TWO INDIVIDUALS, OF WHOM, AT LEAST ONE WAS A PROPHET (SOME BELIEVE THAT BOTH WERE PROPHETS, BUT THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE WE WISH TO MAKE HERE. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, WE WILL ASSUME THAT ONLY ONE WAS A PROPHET).
SO, THE STORY STARTS BEFORE THE PROPHET MEETS THE OTHER SIGNIFICANT PERSON IN THE STORY. THE PROPHET’S PEOPLE ASK HIM, “WHO IS THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE?” TO WHICH THE PROPHET REPLIES, “I AM”. AS SOON AS HE HAS REPLIED, ALLAH REMINDS THE PROPHET THAT HE SHOULD HAVE SAID THAT ALLAH IS THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE.
ALLAH THEN ORDERS THE PROPHET TO GO ON A JOURNEY AND WHEN SUCH-AND-SUCH THING HAPPENS, HE WILL MEET A MAN WHO KNOWS THINGS WHICH ALLAH HAS TAUGHT THE MAN, BUT WHICH THE PROPHET DOES NOT KNOW.
WHEN THE PROPHET MEETS THE MAN, THE PROPHET IS EAGER TO TRAVEL WITH THE MAN AND LEARN THE THINGS THAT ALLAH HAS TAUGHT HIM. THE MAN EXPLAINS, “YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REMAIN PATIENT WITH ME, BECAUSE HOW CAN YOU REMAIN PATIENT ABOUT SOMETHING THAT YOU DON’T HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE?” THE PROPHET REPLIES THAT IF ALLAH WILLS, HE WILL REMAIN PATIENT WITH THE MAN. THE MAN STATES, “IF YOU WANT TO FOLLOW ME, DON’T ASK ME ABOUT ANYTHING THAT I DO, UNTIL I MYSELF TELL YOU WHY I HAVE DONE IT.”
THE MAN DOES THREE THINGS WHICH THE PROPHET CONSIDERS TO BE WRONG. EACH TIME, THE MAN EXPLAINS, “I TOLD YOU – YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REMAIN PATIENT WITH ME”, AND EACH TIME, (ENDING WITH THE THIRD OUTBURST FROM THE PROPHET), THE MAN REPLIES AS BEFORE. ON THE THIRD OCCASION OF THE PROPHET BEING SHOCKED AT THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE MAN, THE MAN EXPLAINS WHY HE DID EACH OF THE THREE THINGS, AND THEN THE TWO PART WAYS.
THE PROPHET IN THE STORY IS OUR PROPHET MOSES, WHILE THE MAN, AS YOU MAY KNOW IS CALLED “KHIDR” (WHOM, SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE WAS ALSO A PROPHET).
EACH SHORT STORY IN SOOWRATU-L KAHF ENDS WITH A LESSON. WHAT LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM THE STORY? THERE ARE MANY. HERE ARE SOME RELATED TO THE SUBJECT OF THIS ESSAY:
FIRST, WE LEARN THAT THE PEOPLE LOOK TO THE PROPHETS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH GUIDANCE; IN THE STORY, THE PEOPLE ASK THE PROPHET WHO IS THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE.
SECOND, MEN – PROPHETS INCLUDED – DO NOT POSSESS ABSOLUTE KNOWLEDGE.
THIRD, ALLAH IS THE ONE WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING AND TEACHES US WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW.
FOURTH, A QUALITY OF PEOPLE IS THEIR TENDENCY TO USE THEIR THINKING IN MATTERS WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN EXPRESSLY BEEN TOLD NOT TO USE IT: PEOPLE SOMETIMES USE THEIR LIMITED UNDERSTANDING BEYOND ITS SCOPE TO EXPLAIN THINGS, WITH THE RESULT THAT THEY ARE USUALLY WRONG.
IT SHOULD BE CLEAR NOW THAT THINKING IS A GIFT WHICH ALLAH HAS GIVEN US TO DRAW US CLOSER TO HIM, BY REFLECTING ON HIS SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS AND ON THE EARTH. THINKING IS OFTEN USED AS A REPLACEMENT FOR KNOWLEDGE – WHEN WE DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWER TO SOMETHING – BECAUSE KNOWLEDGE IS IMPORTANT TO USE FOR OUR WELL BEING AND BECAUSE WE GENERALLY NEED GOOD RESULTS QUICKLY IN LIFE, TO SOLVE THE CONSTANT EMERGENCIES CREATED FOR US.
WE CAN ONLY GET KNOWLEDGE FROM “THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW”, WHICH FOR US IS THE SCHOLARS AND THAT USING OUR THINKING AS A REPLACEMENT FOR THE SCHOLARS WILL ONLY CAUSE US TO SLEEPWALK INTO THE FIRE.
“…IF YE INVOKE THEM, THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO YOUR CALL, AND IF THEY WERE TO LISTEN, THEY CANNOT ANSWER YOUR (PRAYER). ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT THEY WILL REJECT YOUR "PARTNERSHIP". AND NONE, (O MAN!) CAN TELL THEE (THE TRUTH) LIKE THE ONE WHO IS ACQUAINTED WITH ALL THINGS…” 35:14