Before Starting to read the Quran, what do we need to establish first?
To conclude that the universe must have a Creator is not the way to establish a direct personal human relationship with God. Rational conclusion does not touch our lives except when it is related to our obligations as far as the order of the universe is concerned. For example: as a citizen of a certain place, you follow a set of requirements as established by the governing body of that place. Apart from these requirements the rest of your life is left to your disposal. Although, you may not have seen the governing body, you are sure that it exists. Similarly, through following the regulations in the universe, you get to connect with the Governing body of the universe. Besides ritualistic obligations which consists of a mere fraction of our lives here, how can the concept of God penetrate our over-all being?
How are we going to associate ourselves with the Creator?
Let us start with an analogy. There is a painting in existence (i.e. the universe is in existence) and I am part of the painting and I have the potentiality of being conscious of my existence and the existence of others in the painting. I see things have qualities and I start investigating these qualities in the painting. I search how come they exist because this questioning ability is within me. I investigate and look at every single being in the universe because we are all harmoniously working with each other. So I question: “how can they exist like this?” It is inevitable to ask this question. My investigative urge keeps forcing me to question the following:
- What is the Source of existence (SOE) of my being and the things around me?
- What is the SOE of the qualities that I observe and experience here?
- What is the SOE of the whole order that I am made to observe all around me?
- Since the painting/universe keeps changing, what is Causing the painting to change?
- As painting/universe exists within an order, the change that we are made to observe also exists within an order.
- Since I am conscious of this change, where does this consciousness come from?
- My brain is a part of the universe and my consciousness questions the function of the brain and its existence.
I have the freewill to use my consciousness in one direction or another. That is, I can interpret things one way or another way according to my free choice.
Now, I start investigating the parts in the painting to see if there is a part that is causing the painting to continuously change. As a result of my investigation, I see that:
- Nothing has the ability to give existence to itself. (lailaha)
- Nothing has the ability to give existence to another thing. (lailaha)
- Because of the existing order, there is a relationship between the things. This relationship is wrongfully referred to as “cause and effect” relationship. However, nothing is a cause. Example: All together the parts of a pair of spectacles form the spectacle. The glass, frame and temples do not know each other but they are put deliberately together. Using my freewill, I use my consciousness to conclude that part of the glasses cannot be responsible for the existence of anything in the spectacle.
- Nothing is causing another thing to come into existence, it’s just part of the order. Example: is the 1st floor of a building the cause of support of the 2nd floor? No, they are all made deliberately together in this way to form the building.
As a result of this investigation, I conclude that not only one part of the universe, but all of the individual parts of the universe is given existence by something external to it, not within itself. So I start wondering:
- WHAT AM I? WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?
- THERE MUST BE AN EXTERNAL FACTOR THAT HAS GIVEN EXISTENCE TO THINGS DELIBERATELY AND ARRANGED THEM IN PERFECT ORDER AND CONTINUOUSLY RENEWING THEM.
My consciousness understands that this external factor is continuously reminding me that it is operating in the universe. The universe with each of its constituent part exists because of its (the External Factor’s) operation. Now, I try to investigate the qualities of the things that I see in the universe. In the universe, I see order, wisdom, benefit, purpose, harmony, knowledge, and interconnectedness…all these are the qualities (names) that cannot come into existence from the universe or any of its constituent parts. These qualities must belong to something not of the nature of this universe, i.e. External Factor (the Creator) as we know them through scriptures.
Interconnectedness= putting things in connection with each other, making them communicate with each other but they do not have any quality to do that, so we conclude that they cannot communicate with each other by themselves but they are given existence in communication with each other.
Everything is directly related to each other and so everything is deliberately arranged. As part of the painting/universe, I go to myself. I have many feelings and these feelings are not of the nature of the particles of the universe/painting. The existence of every feeling/quality that we are aware of is given existence by this External Factor. These qualities/feelings belong to the External Factor, that is, they are from It. I can easily understand that these qualities have counter parts in the universe as well. Example: the feeling of compassion. All animals have feelings for compassion as well. My sense of compassion is not only related to myself but for others as well. By giving you these qualities, the external factor is letting you experience these qualities for a purpose, which is to acknowledge the qualities of the external One. Through this type of creation, the External Factor is inspiring me: “Know me through these qualities!”
Consciousness allows me to see that the qualities are a means of communicating with the external factor. We have freewill and we may use our consciousness in one way or another way. Example: I am free to break my laptop. When I break it, my consciousness knows that I have done something wrong. Everything is perfectly adjusted and I am free to misuse my human qualities, protect them, improve them or corrupt them.
Every quality in this universe is good. If I choose to do something wrong, then I am misusing my freewill. The mere fact that I am aware that I am doing something means that my consciousness never leaves me alone. Even if your tongue may utter something in order to justify your misuse of your freewill, deep down you may feel in turmoil from a wrongful act. That sense and feeling of unease is a teaching for us to get back on the right track. How come I am made to feel that way when I do something wrong? “God is going to punish you out of his Mercy.” (The Qur’an, 19: 45) This verse may seem strange with the usage of punishment as a mercy. That is, if we do something wrong, we are warned from the Creator that we are doing something wrong. What a Merciful One!
Question: We all have different levels of consciousness, is there a universal level of consciousness?
Answer: Relative evaluation/appraisal of human consciousness has nothing to do with the existential side of consciousness. Instead of thinking about the level of consciousness, think about the existence of your consciousness. Everyone’s level of consciousness varies depending on the context. We have to look at the qualities of everything in terms of existence. As far as we are concerned, we do not know which kind of consciousness a person may have but what we can trace is that the person does have consciousness because I am experiencing it myself. Through my own self, I am communicating with the Source of my existence, although It is not within the universe. That is for sure as a result of my human rational explanation of the painting. Do I know the painter? No. Does anyone know the painter? No. Can a part of the painting know the painter? No. But the painting is continuously changing like a movie. We do not know the painter but what do we know? We know that there must be a painter.
Quran seems contradictory when some verses go along saying: “no one knows ‘ghaib’ (Absolute or unknown)”. There are some verses that also go along: “unless you believe in ghaib then you are not a believer”. It means that you have not fulfilled your mission in this world. Other verses go along: “No one knows ghaib but God”. What do we make out of these verses? Clearly, it is introducing to us the external factor which is “unknown” to us at first and we have to train our human senses to become acquainted with Its existence and the existence of Its qualities more and more. Is the Quran contradicting itself? No one knows ghaib but the Quran suggests us to believe in ghaib. Knowing the existence of ghaib is one dimension of existence. Having the knowledge of existence of ghaib is another dimension of existence. Conscious part of the painting is sure of the existence of the painter. That is belief in ghaib.
WHAT IS GHAIB? Any “unknown” factor in an object which human beings deduce from the existence of the object and thus refer to this “unknown” as a source of its existence. In other words, ghaib means when you look at something and use your consciousness to deduce that it has some qualities which refer to not itself but something else. That something else is ghaib or what we referred to earlier as external factor. Example: when you look at a laptop screen, do you get meaning from what is written there? Yes. That is ghaib. Example: When food comes, you question: Who prepared it? You are referring to ghaib because food cannot prepare itself.
Now let us look at a flower. It is beautiful. What do you mean by beauty? Don’t think of it in relative terms that it may be ugly for some but beautiful for others. The concept of beauty exists. Depending on your needs and conditions, you may define it more beautiful than others. The relative experience is inevitable in this world but the point is that the concept of beauty exists, we all can agree on that: “I am sure of it and I conclude that the quality of beauty exists”. When you look at something and you find that the concept or quality is manifested there, you communicate with ghaib. Example: someone presents you with a bunch of flowers which makes you happy and you start imagining your wedding reception. Here, you are communicating with ghaib through the material flower.
- The external factor is unknown to us but we are sure of the existence of this external factor.
Everything in the universe refers to the qualities of the external being, “malakut.” What we see here is a bunch of particles or atoms (or flowers), “mulk.” When you question who sent the flowers for example and what it means, now you are going beyond the material side (or mulk) of the flowers, which is the meaning side of it (or malakut). Example: This building does not consist of material only. What can you deduce form this building? It is purposefully designed and arranged. Have you seen the Architect of the building? No. Are you sure that an architect arranged this building consciously? Yes. Similarly, the One who gives existence to the universe is the Owner of this universe. The One who has arranged this universe purposefully is the Owner of the universe. Everything here carries a meaning and points to the Absoluteness of the Owner of the universe.
Every quality manifested in the universe as far as I am in communication with, I communicate with these qualities through the qualities that are within me. I acknowledge them. What does it mean? I am made within this painting as a conscious being and through my qualities, I communicate with the qualities manifested in the universe. I can acknowledge the qualities manifested in the universe through the qualities given to me or I can turn blind to them by disconnecting with them or ignoring them totally which results in not connecting them together and hence not communicating with the Creator.
In the analogy above, do you know the architect? No. Can you communicate with the architect? Yes. So strange! You are communicating with something you do not know. That is the difference between “belief in ghaib” and “knowing ghaib.” What does it mean to communicate with the architect? When it is dark, you need to turn on the light. The architect of the building is responding to your needs by putting the electric system, giving you the need for light and providing light for you. This is the choice of the architect of the building. Similarly, through your qualities given to you by same One who makes the universe, all your needs are met is a call for you to acknowledge Him as the Source of existence of life.
Source of existence= External Factor= Ghaib (Unknown Factor)
Universe is prepared for me to communicate with the Source of my existence, so I acknowledge Him. If I do not acknowledge the purposeful arrangement of the universe prepared for my usage and turn blind to it or adopt an ungrateful attitude towards the unknown factor, is it a right thing to do? No, a hundred times no! When we appreciate the deliberate arrangement of the universe, we are grateful with the qualities manifested in it and hence acknowledge the Source of our existence: “Thank you for giving me thirst and making water available for me, for example!”
If you think that every part of this universe is prepared for my consciousness to communicate with the qualities manifested in the universe through my qualities, then I am attaching my existence to its existence. Acknowledging this relationship means belief. Belief is feeling secure and confident in my conclusion. All my qualities must be used to acknowledge and communicate with the Source of existence of my qualities which is the Source of existence of the qualities manifested in the whole universe. Do not disassociate yourself from the rest of the universe. Can you communicate with the Source of existence without using the universe? No, witnessing the universe is necessary to gather evidence for my conclusion.
- Without an intermediary (creation/universe) no one can communicate with the Creator.
Can we use our human feelings without interacting with the universe? If you do that, then either you are remembering previous examples or using power of imagination, which cannot take you to the Source of existence. Therefore, you need to work on making every experience palpable.
Example: When you eat, you are expected (1) to communicate with the Creator of the food, (2) the qualities of the food, (3) your need of the food, (4) your awareness of this communication with the qualities of the food and (5) the qualities within yourself.
- This communication is having a conversation with the Creator who is always speaking to you.
Everything speaks to us here, including our limbs and skin. Therefore, the One who makes everything speak, must speak as well. We are free to use our consciousness and make the experience live for us or choose to ignore it. When I am speaking, it means that my Creator says: “Communicate with me through your speech”. That is, be in acknowledgment of the source of the ability to speak and understand.
Also, there must be something speaking in physical form as well as with the ability to speak verbally. This Being must speak to human beings verbally so that I can hear and understand e.g. the Quran. The universe must have a speech of its Creator otherwise it contradicts the qualities we observe here which necessitates communication with conscious admirers. Human beings must have a consistent relationship with the Quran which claims to be the Speech of God. In order to achieve such, the universe, I and the Speech of God must work in harmony.
Seeking refuge in God means to define who the speaker in the text is. Don’t say merely “God”. You have to (1) establish your belief in God with a certain experiential reality that makes sense to you, so (2) this God is speaking to you now, (3) the One who is the Creator of the universe, (4) the One who is manifesting Its qualities in the universe, (5) the One enabling you to communicate with It by giving you the summary of all the qualities manifested in the universe within your own self and (6) putting you in this connection:
- Me
- the universe
- the speech.
Seek refuge with all three elements requires the need to establish harmony with them. If you cannot establish harmony, then you cannot read the Quran.
If you cannot read the Quran, then you cannot have a physical relationship with the Creator. Also, you cannot have a physical relationship with God if you have not purified yourself. It means to remove your prejudices, your polluted expectations, and polluted decisions through ablution (wudhu).
Also through ablution, you are taking control of your material side. That is, if your material need has taken over you, for example the urge of the body which makes you go to the toilet, your body has taken control of your humanity at this instance, then you need to regain control of your body under consciousness. Ablution symbolizes a physical means to regain this consciousness. Making “wudhu” means taking control over your body under your consciousness symbolically. Hence, you can get into a physical relationship with God’s Speech only after taking control of your physical side and then looking at what the material side of this universe refers to. If you do not seek refuge with God, then you cannot read the speech of God. That is to say, if you do not take notice of the Creator of every single quality in the universe, then you cannot understand the verbal explanation (Quran) which is what we have been experiencing in the universe.