Section Al A’raf – Part 11

Part 11

7:26 “Children of Adam, We have given you garments to cover your nakedness and as an adornment for you; the garment of God-consciousness is the best of all garments- this is one of God’s signs, so that people may be mindful.”

What is “garment”?

A garment is what we are endowed with, such as our skills, abilities and senses.  All the human qualities that we are given must be appropriated to its right owner.

What is “nakedness”?

It is our vulnerability as created beings.  We are weak and needy in our creation.  We do not contribute to the creation of anything, let alone give existence to something.

The verse is speaking to me letting me know that I love life and existence.  My human qualities are adornments in the form of garments, however, I know that I cannot satisfy myself eternally.  Similarly, nothing in this universe satisfies me for we are all in need to be created.  Therefore, I must use my garments, i.e. human qualities as a means to get connected with reality, i.e., cover my shortcomings, mistakes, or anything that goes against the purpose of my existence.

What does “the garment of God consciousness” refer to?

It is the awareness of the reality of one’s existence which is eternally satisfying.  Materialist civilization connects everything to “nature”, but human being’s innate desire is that of eternal satisfaction in their existence which can only be achieved through intellectually connecting one’s existence to its Source of Existence.  This, in turn, puts the human being to physically express their acknowledgment, and gratitude to their source of existence.

What does “one of God’s signs” refer to?

My need for eternal satisfaction is one of God’s signs.  Nothing satisfying me in this universe permanently is God’s signs.  Creation being beautiful and meeting my needs is God’s signs.  All our human experiences are given to us to be mindful of who we are as human beings and what the source of our existence is.  This remembrance needs to be applied to everything we admire in creation, then we should make sure to attribute it to its Source of Existence.  This process is called “zikr”, which is remembering one’s Creator through signs in the universe.