Philosophy

In this verse, three propositions are made: the natural world functions in a well-defined and orderly manner, a system is required to govern mankind’s life in this world and the more these laws conform to the natural order, the more facilitative they will be and the easier they will be to uphold. The initial verses of this ‘Philosophical Discourse’ reveal the existence of a clearly defined natural order. In verses 6 and 7, the parallel drawn between the intellect’s capacity [...]

In the introduction to the first volume, Amir al-Jamea Shahzada Dr Yusuf bhaisaheb Najmuddin QR expressed his intention to further explore the literary devices used in this ‘Philosophical Discourse’. The parallels drawn between faiḍ – divine grace – and the rays of the sun enable one to understand the abundance of faiḍ, its continued immanence and its centrality in sustaining Creation. The verse uses two descriptions of faiḍ. First, the word jār which is usually associated with a flow, like [...]

Numerous verses in the Quran call upon us to acknowledge Allah’s countless blessings and express our gratitude for them: These verses establish that Allah Taʿālā: is the source of all blessings, has blessed man with an array of blessings that are beyond count and comprehension, and has directed man to express his gratitude for these blessings, despite his incapacity to even count them, and in return has assured him of further blessings. Allah’s blessings are so all-encompassing that Amirul Mumineen [...]

By using the fāʾ al-sababiyya (the letter fāʾ as a particle of cause) at the beginning of this verse, the author states that man should venerate the Almighty for He has created him in a perfect form. In verses 21 to 29, he has outlined the means through which man can offer such praise: by (1) venerating his Creator, (2) enlightening his soul, (3) comprehending the capacities of his intellect, and (4) realising his true value. The author also asserts [...]

In previous verses the author mentioned the various capabilities with which man has been endowed. He also encourages man to appreciate and value these qualities by using them to comprehend the truths of creation and, ultimately, fulfil his purpose in being created. In this verse he also makes it clear that failure to do so will inevitably lead to oblivion. Al-Dai al-Ajal Syedna al-Muaʾyyad al-Shirazi RA points out that the cosmos and all that it encompasses was brought into being [...]

It was explained in the third verse, that al-ʿAql al-Awwal achieved enlightenment by comprehending his own self. He became aware of his strengths and recognised his limitations. In this verse, man is directed to comprehend his intellect and his soul so that he too may reach the same conclusion: the omnipotence of the Creator and the impossibility of ever comprehending Him. Al-ʿAql al-Awwal was able to acknowledge his Creator of his own accord. However, this is not the case for [...]

The surest sign that one has enlightened his soul and has indeed comprehended the truths of Creation is in being left confounded and perplexed by the majesty of Allah Taʿālā. This is the intended outcome of all learning and the greatest proof of being learned. Though knowledge is usually sought to dispel confusion and increase understanding, in this instance the hallmark of wisdom is to affirm that the intellect is incapable of perceiving the greatness of the Creator. His greatness [...]

  In verse eight, Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA calls upon mankind to enlighten his intellect with the rays of divine revelation. He directs him to enlighten his soul with the light of knowledge, thereby establishing that only knowledge derived from divine revelation has the potential to illuminate the soul. The precedence given to the development of the intellect is justified by the fact that a man’s intellect allows him to differentiate between right and wrong, between acquiring knowledge that benefits [...]

We have already in passing commented upon in the last paragraph of the commentary to verse 24, to the two aspects of ʿaql, namely that which is gifted and that which is acquired. Gifted, naturally refers to that potentiality in man which is inherent and not acquired. It finds place in man as an act of Allah. The acquired aspect bears reference to the capacity of that substance—potentiality to rise and in the ultimate analysis to be emancipated through the [...]

The suggestion contained in verse 23 is now more explicitly given expression to. Man who has seen manifested the power of Allah should desist by a deliberate act of will to deny the Creator. Once again the verse exclaims the natural, the obvious reaction of the author 'glory be to the master.' Man who has been endowed with the priceless gift of ʿaql has to comprehend the virtues of the gift and through its exercise know his Creator. He should [...]