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The Qur'an has a remarkable
method in presenting the truth of existence to
human nature. It appeals to it as a whole, yet
it addresses every one of its aspects in every
single context. It goes through every opening
in human nature and deals with all
its thoughts and feelings. The Qur'anic method
is also remarkable as it tackles the main
issues of existence, revealing certain aspects
of it which are readily acknowledged both by
human nature and the human intellect. They
respond to these and formulate their clear
vision on them. It also answers the needs of
human nature, releases its potentials, and
puts it on the right course.
We cannot but marvel at the
unique Qur'anic approach as it takes human
nature by the hand and moves up with it
gently, step by step, yet with much energy and
clarity of vision. It takes it to a sublime
height, giving it true knowledge, definite
response, firm reassurance, consistency of
action, and a clear and relaxed awareness of
the fundamental truths of existence.
The Qur'anic approach is
unparalleled as it appeals to human nature
from angles where no response could have been
imagined to come. Yet we find human nature
ready with its positive response. The fact is
that the One who has revealed the Qur'an is
the Creator of man who knows His creation. He
is closer to a person than his or her jugular
vein.
That is the approach, but what
about the subject matter the Qur'an tackles?
Here we find ourselves looking at an expanse
that no words can adequately describe: [Say:
If the sea were ink for my Lord's words, the
sea would surely dry up before my Lord's words
are exhausted, even though we were to add to
it another sea to replenish it]
(Al-Kahf 18:109). [If
all the trees on earth were pens, and the sea
were ink, with seven more seas yet added to
it, the words of God would not be exhausted,
God is Almighty, Wise]
(Luqman 31:27). I have spent, by God's grace,
25 years with this Book as my companion,
studying carefully the fundamental facts it
addresses and the way it tackles various
aspects of human knowledge. I have been
reading at the same time what human beings
have attempted to reveal in some of these
aspects. I could see the great wealth
and openness of the Qur'an compared to the
attempts of human beings. Compared to the
great ocean of the Qur'an, these attempts are
no more than small, isolated lakes, tiny
pools, or even stagnant pits.
Take, if you will, the
Qur'an's holistic approach to existence, its
nature, truth, aspects, origin, secrets, and
hidden things, as well as what it contains of
living entities and potential life. Human
philosophy tackles only some of these aspects.
Reflect also on how the Qur'an
takes man as a complete entity and explains
his origin, potentials, fields of action,
molding, reactions, and responses, as well as
his different modes and inner self. Biology,
psychology, sociology, education, and
religious studies address certain aspects of
these. Consider also the unique Qur'anic
approach to the system of human life, its
practical activities, areas of collaboration,
and renewed human needs, and how these should
be organized. Social, economic, and political
theories and doctrines may address some, but
not, all of these.
In all these areas, a careful
student of the Qur'an is bound to find an
amazing wealth of statements and directives
that are comprehensive, profound, rich, and
truthful. Not once did I find myself in need
of a single statement from outside the Qur'an,
concerning any of these fundamental issues,
with the exception of God's Messenger's
hadiths.
This Book, the Qur'an, was the
source of knowledge, education, and proper
molding of a unique generation of human beings
that was never repeated in human history. That
was the generation of the Prophet's Companions
who brought about a greatly profound
development in human history that has not yet
been properly studied.
This Book was responsible, by
God's will, for this great miracle in human
history. All supernatural miracles that
testified to earlier divine messages appear
small in comparison to this miracle that was
practiced in a human society. Indeed, that
generation was an unparalleled historical
phenomenon.
The society that was formed
for the first time by the Companion's generation
survived for more than 1,000 years. It was
governed by the law stated in this Book and
firmly based on its standards, values, and
directives. That very society was a human
miracle. We have only to compare it to other
human societies which, as a result of human
material progress, surpassed it in material
abilities but could not come near to it in
human civilization.
Nowadays, in modern societies,
people seek to satisfy their own needs as well
as the needs of their communities in isolation
of the Qur'an. People in then-ignorant Arabia
used to require miracles other than the
Qur'an. Their naive outlook, profound
ignorance, and their various interests
prevented the old Arabs from appreciating the
great miracle represented by this remarkable
Book. People of present time have different
obstacles preventing them from appreciating
the miracle of the Qur'an. These include the
arrogance derived from their superior material
knowledge, their sophisticated organization of
human life, and its apparent progress and
maturity, which all come naturally with the
accumulation of experience of one generation
after another and with more complex and
sophisticated needs.
The Qur'an is ignored today by
some Muslims who know it only as hymns to be
chanted and charms to be worn. They have been
diverted away from it for centuries and driven
deep into a state of ignorance that corrupts
minds and hearts. The people of old Jahiliyyah
used to divert the masses away from the
Qur'an, demanding physical miracles. The
people of modern jahiliyyah try to
divert the masses away from the Qur'an by
putting in its place false teachings
which they promote through mass media and
information channels. Yet it is the Qur'an
that is described in these words by God who
knows all: [This
[revelation] is a means of clear insight from
your Lord, and a guidance and grace for people
who will believe]
(Al-A`raf 7:203). It is then a means of clear
insight, providing true guidance and abounding
grace and blessings for true believers. It is
only those who truly believe that find all
this in the Qur'an.
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