Malfuzat – Volume I — Page 121
Malfuzat - Volume I كَانَ اللهُ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا 121 Allah is Mighty, Wise. By virtue of His name Aziz (the Mighty), God does whatever is needed and the name Hakeem (the Wise) denotes that His every action is done with wisdom, and done properly and adequately in accordance with the appropriate time and place. Just observe how plants and vegetation possess diverse properties. Even a tolah or two of turpethum is enough to clear the bowels, so too is the case with scam- monia. Allah the Exalted has the power to clear a person's bowels without the use of any medicine, or to quench one's thirst without water, but it was necessary for mankind to learn of the wonders of nature. For the extent to which a person increases in their awareness and knowledge of the wonders of nature, is the de- gree to which they are increased in their understanding of the attributes of Allah Almighty; and this enables one to attain the nearness of God. Through medicine and astronomy we discover thousands of qualities present in nature. The Properties of Things Are Another Name for Knowledge What are the sciences? They are nothing more than a knowledge of the properties of things. If the celestial bodies, stars and vegetation did not possess effects, it would become difficult for mankind to believe in the attribute of Allah Almighty known as Aleem (the All-Knowing). It is a certain fact that the foundation of our knowledge is based on our insight into the properties of things. The purpose in this is so that we may learn wisdom. The sciences have also been referred to as wisdom (hikmat). As such, Allah the Exalted states: وَمَنْ يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوْتِ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا And whoever is granted wisdom has indeed been granted abundant good. The Purpose of the Supplication 'Guide Us in the Right Path' Hence, the purpose of the prayer (Guide us in the right path) is that when a person makes this supplication, they ought to emulate the deeds, morals and beliefs of ‘those upon whom God has bestowed His blessings. In so an-Nisa, 4:159 al-Baqarah, 2:270