The Reasonings (page 138-139)
“A FALSE SUPPOSITION AND A REMINDER
If you claim that a person can have knowledge of certain basic principles and laws of all sciences, I will reply as follows: You are right, and you are wrong. In theory, this seems to be possible. But knowing something does not mean knowing it theoretically and superficially. There are certain principles and laws that must be known in all their aspects; these pertain to all times, conditions, and people, and they are different from one another. They are also of such a form that in them are reflected many laws and principles of other sciences. In addition, one must understand them with their practicability for the optimal degree of use in every condition and section of time. No one, however intelligent a genius they may be, can discover or establish these laws and principles. The same word can be uttered by two persons. But one may display his or her ignorance by doing so, while the other demonstrates knowledge.
AN INDICATION, GUIDANCE, AND A REMINDER
O brothers and sisters who have continued traveling together with me from the beginning of this book! Look with a broad view and reflect and form a high council in your mind in order to reason properly. Then summon whichever of the twelve premises in the first part of this book you wish to consult. You can also consult the following principles: A person cannot be a specialist in more than one or two or three sciences. The same word uttered by two persons may vary in purpose, meaning, content, and several other aspects. Sciences develop through studies and research; they support one another over the course of time. Something known today by everybody as a fact may have been only a theory in the past, and something known by civilized people may have been unknown to uncivilized ones. Comparing the past with the present and the future, is misleading. The simplicity of desert people cannot tolerate the cunning and deceptiveness of the civilized person. Deception can conceal itself under the veil of civilization. Customs and events suggest and imply such things that they may cause many branches of knowledge to be formed. Human sight cannot encompass the future. The laws made by humanity do not last long; they have a “natural” lifespan. The environment formed of time and space has a great influence upon humans. Many things which were extraordinary in the past may be ordinary in the present, for the preliminary conditions and foundations for their comprehension may have long been prepared. Any intelligence, however sharp it is, cannot suffice for a branch of science to be formed and perfected, so how can it suffice for more than one science to be formed?”
Quran guides human beings to the meaning of this existence, by definition. It does not explain how I can produce technology for example. Here is the world and it requires human beings to discover it. When you discover the fastest means of transportation, that does not mean that you have fulfilled the purpose of your life. If you go from point A to B as fast as possible, what is the purpose of it? Sending a letter by horse or by mail means the same thing in and of itself. It is the meaning behind these actions that is of essential concern.
What am I expected to do in this world whether I go slow or fast?
Sharia—giving guidance in general about one’s social interactions. If human beings cannot find the ideal principles for his/her social life with others physically, then the Sharia provides us with a very general principle. Mostly, Sharia provides guidance on equality and freedom within the conditions of this life. Practical side of Sharia is a minute matter that the Quran deals with. The rest of the Quran tells about the meaning of life and the purpose of life.
Guiding my human side is what I expect from Divine Guidance. How can I benefit from the existence of this world to make sure what is my position here, who I am and who is the Owner? How can I deal with my human side so that my feelings will be satisfied and that I can deal with the reality: “I am sure that I am sent here by someone who takes care of me, I am not accidental, I have feelings that require to be satisfied so that I can feel comfortable about my existence.”
This universe has many meaningful contradictions. Firstly, nothing is stable here and this universe does not provide any everlasting satisfaction i.e. nothing of this world can protect you from going into non-existence. My emotions become very disappointed if I refer my existence to the world only i.e. my human feelings become depressed. If Divine Speech is from my Creator, then it must give me directions to how I can communicate with It to make sure of my future existence. How can I make sure that I am the product of a Wise and Merciful Creator, so I belong to It?
How do I secure my existence? I need guidance according to the background of my knowledge. This guidance must be valid for all centuries for all human conditions. Divine guidance cannot be restricted to certain life conditions.
Do you think that the Quran speaks to a certain category of people at a certain age?
Practical side may differ, but we do not differ in our human conditions. The presentation of the Quran must be valid for all centuries. We must read Divine guidance under this principle to interpret it as appropriate to my human existential questions. While interacting with the Qur’an we need to ask this question: “Why do you mention this to me?” Example: Prophet David made glorification and echoed came back from the mountains. Every shepherd knows the eco system, you do not have to be a Prophet to know that. What is the point in letting me know this?
- Use it as a data for you to transfer it into the meaning of your life purpose. You are expected to refer it to your life through your own experiences.
- The purpose of the Qur’an is to teach the meaning of existence by stating that its message is confirmed by the universe, which is nothing but act of its Creator. The example of Prophet David declares his conclusion under the guidance of the Creator. While he is announcing his declaration, which is in the language of the Qur’an glorifying the perfectness of its Maker, then the mountains are echoing his declaration in conformity to the announcement of David through their creation. That means, the universe in its physical form witnesses the truthfulness of the message that the Qur’an introduces to human kind.
You must define the speech of God. What am I expecting from the Speech of the Quran? Then, you must clean as much as possible from your previous understanding of life, value imposed from civilization where you take them at face value.
Divine guidance must come from the Creator of the world as the Creator of the world. He must speak to me as creating the world, giving message to me through actions and speaking to me verbally to explain the meaning of what He is doing.
People do not engage in meaningful discussions anymore such as “Why do you live in this world?” Rather, we ask: “what do you do?” People never think about the reason why they do what they do. They take for granted what is presented to them according to the values of the existing civilization.
Humanitarian aspect does not give a meaningful dimension about your existence. Humanitarian value does not help you built up security for your existence, for example. You can be comfortable to do charitable work, but it does not provide security for your existence. Only Divine guidance teaches what to do with establishing security in your existence.
Traditionally religious people mostly take the Divine Guidance and apply it to their worldly life conditions here and refer the result to the hereafter.
You are not the Source of the knowledge you are transferring, rather a messenger.
We must act in the name of the Creator. After 23 years of the revelation of the Qur’an, the same principle is included in every verse since “Read in the name of your Creator” (the first revealed verse in the Qur’an) was revealed. Creation constantly develops but the fundamental principles never change. Principles of the existing universe is the same.
- Principle is applied every time in different manner and the same constant is always presente. an All-Knowledgeable One is speaking through His acts of creation who is not bound to space time.
Finally, rather than saying I have changed in my understanding, it would better suit to say I am improving in my understanding throughout the years, which is a radical change.