Flowers for the Women Wearing Veils - Volume I — Page 167
! ! 167 was established after human creation. Just as in the beginning, God Almighty created all things Himself , and then handed over the responsibility for its advancement to humans; similarly , He Himself laid the foundation for knowledge and handed over the responsibili ty for its progress to humans. Allah Himself created the first man , but then delegat ed any further development to man. Allah created fire, but its evolution was brought about by humans. The same can be said of knowledge. Allah gave that first knowledge to humans, who then continued to develop and expand it. F rom the beginning of time, mankind has been advancing in its quest for knowledge. However, along side these individuals are also those , who from the beginning of time, have had no respect for the pursuit of knowledge. These individuals have been given the name, ‘ Iblis ’ , meaning one who is trapped in hopelessness. In reality , it is hope which enhances and promotes all fields of sciences. The more hope there is, the greater knowledge will progress. The word ‘ hope ’ has two connotations. First ly , t hat t he avenues for progress are open for humans and s econdly, that w e can accomplish this progress. Thus, when we speak of hope , we are declaring that the road to advancement is open for us and that we have much to accompl ish. This word also implies that we can attain whatever yet remains to be achieved. The meaning of hopelessness is that there is plenty in this world , but we cannot ac quire it. Therefore, the pursuit of knowledge and its progress are associated with hope. If someone has hope , he will learn. I f not, then he will not learn. [The word] ‘ Iblis ’ means that he did not learn. He assumed that he had already lear ned everyth ing which could be [learn ed ] and that which he did not know , could not be learn ed by any one. In other words, he severed himself from hope. Allah says of this : ا ۡﻟ ٰﻜ ِﻔ ِﺮ ۡﻳ َﻦ ِﻣ َﻦ َﻛ ﺎ َن َو ق ا ۡﺳ َﺘ ۡﻜ ََرب َو َا ٰ “ He refused and was too proud ; and he was of the disbelievers. ” (Holy Qur’ān Ch. 2 : V. 35)