Islam and Modern Life — Page 11
ISLAM AND MODE RN LIFE 11 because of God being the source of knowledge. He bestows knowledge upon mankind. Then with regards to Adam, though one mentions Adam on one side and then people begin to think that all the stories with regard to Adam everywhere else are part of Islam, also they are not. Again, that is not my main subject today. The Quran says God taugh t Adam the knowledge of all things, which has been interpreted as meaning that he created in man, he placed in man the capacity to acquire knowledge with regards to the nature and properties of things. That is to say, in the very creation of man, God has p ut this need and this capacity to acquire knowledge. That is chapter 2, verse 32. Again, at one place it is said, God bestows wisdom upon whom he chooses, and he who is granted wisdom is granted the greatest good. And nobody is reminded, that is to say, ta kes advantage of God’s guidance that comes. Nobody is reminded, save those who possess understanding. As you see, understanding and reason and wisdom are first exalted as a condition of being able to take advantage of the guidance that comes from God. This is chapter 2, verse 270. But I might here incidentally explain, because these things are brought up very much with regards to the phraseology of the Quran, God grants wisdom to whom he chooses. God does not choose to grant me wisdom, what fault is it of m ine? But wherever in the Quran it is, God does this where he chooses or where he wishes, there are in the Quran also ways taught of how to acquire that which is good, and how to discard that which may be a defect or evil. God grants wisdom, but he grants w isdom in consequence of something that man attempts.