Islam and Modern Life — Page 12
ISLAM AND MODE RN LIFE 12 At another place in the Quran, I will not read in each instance the original, it is said, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of day and night, there are signs for men of wisdom and understanding. Then it goes on to say, wh o are those men? How can one become a person wise or learned enough to draw wisdom from the signs which abound in God’s universe? It says, those who contemplate God and his attributes, standing, sitting, lying down, and reflect upon all these phenomena. No w here is the scripture, urging us to reflect upon these phenomena, because this is the way to knowledge and learning and wisdom and philosophy and science. Or with regards to the very elementary purpose, both of a prophet or of an apostle, or of any common person identifying himself with a particular guidance, that is to say that he should spread that guidance among his brethren, on what basis should that be done? Should that be done on authority? Again, the prophet is commanded in the Quran , َو ا ۡﻟ َﻤ ۡﻮ ِﻋ َﻈ ِﺔ ا ۡﻟ َﺤ َﺴ َﻨ ﺔ Call to the way of thy Lord, with wisdom, with hikmah, with wisdom, and kindly exhortation, m auizatil hasana , and make thy exposition, and base thy exposition on that which is best. God well knows he who strays away from his path, and he who is rightly guided. This is chapter 16 , verse 126. So, you will see here, that there is no room for that conflict, the type of conflict arising to which I referred in the opening of my address. We are urged as a matter of fact, all the time, and I shall come to it a little later, to