Philosophy

In this verse we find, so to say, the culmination of the thought process of the preceding verses and the concepts contained in them. Commencing with the concept of ʿaql, we were guided to the concept of the existence of the Creator and the majesty of His power. The human intellect has been counselled, to ponder critically and precisely, without confusion, without tiring and without boredom into the whole subject of creation. The author then exclaims 'glory be to Allah [...]

  We have seen that within every element of creation there is a motivating force referred to as 'power.' We have further seen, that the motivating force or power in the ultimate analysis is related back to the original attribute of power of the First Creation i.e. the energy provided for, and, or given by Allah. The author exhorts us to think seriously, critically and precisely on the secrets of this power. In other words, the thought process and approach [...]

The power of the Creator is the pivot, the focal point. We have already seen that atomic energy relates back to the atom. The enabling energy in the atom is the creation of Allah. The use of the word 'power' leads us to consider the philosophic notion, that the first created were endowed with three principal attributes, viz. life, knowledge and power. Life, in the sense of an extant living being, knowledge of itself and power or ability. In an [...]

Verse 20 completes the idea developed in the previous verse. It says that when through a consideration of the atom man has gained knowledge of the existence of the Creator and acknowledges His supremacy, then man must so preserve the state of his ʿaql that he is not led away or prevented from faithfully treading the glorious path leading towards perfection, by temptations or by a self-seeking disbeliever. This verse, though apparently complementary to verse 19, is in itself pregnant [...]

The author deals in this couplet with a subject of topical interest. We have often read of the spirit of search and inquiry of men of science and the glory of their achievement in liberating the atom, described in scientific language, as the ultimate particle of matter and incapable of further division. The author directs the reader to ponder over and contemplate the phenomenon whereby this ultimate particle generates prodigious energy, fantastic in force, and so endeavour to realise the [...]

Once again the fundamental principle is enunciated here, namely, that comprehension of the created, i.e. the subject of creation is the only and unfailing method for the comprehension of the omnipotence of the Creator. If man ponders over each subject of creation, its formation, qualities, capacities and then further delves into the interrelation of each to the whole conception of the cosmic universe, and at the same time comprehends but an iota of it, man will avow the existence of [...]

  The previous verse and those following, by illustrative references, set the reader's mind thinking on the majesty, and omnipotence of the Creator. The trend of thought is not to suggest that the Creator can be comprehended. This, we have been clearly told, is outside the power of man, nay, even beyond the power of al-ʿAql al-Awwal, the first and highest in perfection. Rather, we are told, if man comprehends certain facts and substances that are to be found in [...]

This couplet projects us into the present age. The present generation justly lays claim to have advanced in the scientific and other fields of knowledge so as to produce atomic reactors, hydrogen bombs, jet planes, etc. The achievement is truly great and a matter of just pride. However, the author cautions that this achievement only reveals the glory of the Creator and implies that the just pride of achievement should not make us lose sight of the fact of our [...]

This verse recalls a hadith of the Holy Prophet SAW questioned as to how one could know the Creator, the Prophet replied : 'Whosoever should know his soul will know his Creator.' The reply is at once apt and conclusive. It admonishes, as it were, the questioner and directs him first to attempt to know himself before he can even presume to know the Creator. If man can truly lay a claim to the knowledge of himself i.e. his soul, [...]

The author in the immediately preceding verses having dealt with al-ʿaql al-salīm and having illustrated a few of the 'obstructions' which ʿaql meets with, now indicates that a happy life is within the grasp of that man who fashions his ʿaql, by the processes prescribed, into al-ʿaql al-salīm to which he thereafter owes obedience as his master. The two requirements of happiness, in this context, are al-ʿaql al-salīm and its supremacy over man. It is by virtue of this al-ʿaql [...]