Islam and Modern Life — Page 13
ISLAM AND MODE RN LIFE 13 look into the causes, the phenomena, the operation. And it is the way of the Quran, that with regards to the illustration of spiritual truths, it always draws attention to natural phenomena, and their operation. And drawing attention to that says, now will you not believe that in the spiritual sphere also, God’s beneficence works in that way? How often does it not draw attention, for instance, to the clouds that come and bring rain, and revive the dead earth. And God says, in the same way we revive dead spi rits, where spirituality is on the decline, then God’s revelation, God’s guidance, which is spiritual rain, revives it in people’s minds. But each time the Quran draws attention from the phenomena of nature. They become a preliminary study, before the inte llect and the spirit are prepared to accept spiritual truths. Again, you open the Quran anywhere, go on reading, presently, before you have read a page or two, you will find, this is a guidance for those who understand. This is a sign for those who reflect. This is a sign for those who reason, all the time in exhorta tion, to exercise the mind and the intellect, in respect of these spiritual truths. And the function of the Prophet himself, is described in the Quran, in the first place, he recites to men God’s signs, and I have already indicated to you the type of signs , the alternation of the day and night, the creation of heaven and earth, the creation of man himself. Draw man’s attention to these signs, and through these signs to create faith. Then to purify people, and also it means to foster, make provision for thei r progress. Then to teach them the laws that govern life, through which a man can make progress. One Hikmah and the philosophy lying behind them. It is not enough in Islam, do this because God says so. A