DOES the Holy Qur’an emphasizes reason as central to human growth? The answer is definitely yes. Even the Western Orientalists, those who criticized Quran emphasize that this a definite feature you cannot miss in Quran. A critic once wrote, “Quran is not far from considering unbelief as an infirmity of human mind.”(Unbelief means not using your mind straight). Maxime Rodinson wrote lengths about the rationalist approach of Quran and this rational tone of Quran is certainly its most outstanding feature.
One of the recurring theme of Quran is that people ignore God signs and corrupt religion, because they do not use reason. Quran repeats this many times. “Will you not reason, “mentioned 14 times.” God reveals signs; lessons and admonitions, so that perhaps you will finally use your reason (8 such statements).From Quran’s viewpoint, reason and faith are allies, just as logic and false belief are opposed to each other. Quran tells us the right way is clear from error. “Those who benefit most from Quran are persons of insight,”(16 such statements)“firmly rooted in knowledge,”(8 such statements). “Those who oppose this revelation are deluded,”(28 such statements)“ignorant,” (16)“foolish,”(3)“no understanding”(9)“only follow surmise and conjecture,”(9) and “blindly adhere to tradition,” multiple times. In almost emphatic style, Quran repeatedly quizzes the reader, questions his /her assumptions, and asks, “What you think,”(18 such statements) “Have you considered this or that,” (13 times). “Do they not ponder,”(2 such statements).“Do u even think,”(18 such statements).
The message is clear, to attain truth/faith, we have to free ourselves from inherited notions and examine our beliefs rationally. Quran tells us; surely, we will be tried with calamity and prosperity, both as means of trial. Every religion deals with sufferings differently. Almost all religions see it as something not so good or retribution for your deeds. Quran says just the opposite. “You are going to experience it. You will suffer in this life and it will play a fundamental part in your growth. You should embrace it, struggle through it and it should be a jihad.” Quran uses the word jihad for struggle and not for fighting. Even in the Mecca verses, long before the Muslims had to struggle to defend themselves, this word jihadis used in the context of struggle, in the path of God. “Do you think that you could enter paradise without having the like of those, who passed away before you? When misfortune and hardship found them, so shaken were them that they exclaimed, when will God’s, help come, surely God’s help is always near.”
Quran reminds us that life challenges and hardships are a test of one’s faith, patience and perseverance. It encourages believers to remain steadfast and hopeful even in the face of adversity. Imam Ghazzali tells us you cannot avoid misfortune or tribulations, but God has given us the will to respond to each situation appropriately. He tells us there are four conditions and four appropriate responses. The first condition is blessing and response to that is gratitude. The second is tribulations and response to that is patience. If you are in a state of blessings, God will send the people of tribulation to you and if you respond to them with heedlessness, God will take away your blessings and give it to the people, who are in tribulation, not as a punishment, but to pull you back. The third condition is obedience and response to that is humility to see the grace that is there in obedience. The fourth condition is sinfulness and response to that is repentance. ”Our Prophet (PBUH) said, “Sinfulness is what troubles the heart, that’s your conscience, so listen to your heart and it will lead you to correct path.”
The next verse explains, “Do u think you could enter paradise without going through the same misfortune and hardships as those before you and they were good people. So shaken were they, that they would exclaim, when will God’s help come. Oh truly God’s help is always near.” Quran tells the reader, “You will certainly taste death and we will try you with prosperity and calamity both as a means of trial and you have to struggle and survive.” It is not going to be heaven on earth. Quran says, “Oh man truly you have been toiling to your Lord. It’s a painful toil, but you shall meet him.” “We certainly created man to face the stress. Does he think that no one has power over him? Does he think that no one sees him? Haven’t we given him two eyes to see therein, a tongue, and two lips to learn and communicate with. Haven’t we pointed out to him the two conspicuous ways (good and evil) but he attempts not the uphill climb and this is the way you should be pursuing.”
What is the uphill climb? “This is to free a slave or feed someone on the day of his hunger, or an orphan nearly related, or a poor one lying in the dust.” Then he/ she is the one who believes or exhorts one another to patience or exhorts one another to mercy. Quran is telling us to pursue the uphill climb reaching out to fellow man in distress, feed the poor soul, who is lying in the dust and you will be rewarded. What is Islam after all? It can be reduced to two things, loyalty to the Creator and service to His Creation. —To be continued.
Extracts from Professor Jeffery Lang, a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Kansas USA, who converted to Islam after reading the Quran and author of book, ‘Struggling to Surrender.’
—The writer is author of various books based in Rawalpindi.
