The Father of our Nation

Over the past few days we have heard many different knowledgeable people tell us about the essence of Islam. 

For sure the Messenger (saw) said that Islam Is Yemeni, meaning that it is all about being considerate and having good manners. And that he was sent to perfect good manners. 

We have also been reminded that he (saw) was in the words of his wife, Bibi Aisha (ra), the walking Quran. 

As I have reiterated many times before the unusual thing about the revelation of the Quran was twofold- it’s non physical nature, and then the fact that it was often sent down after the fact, and in response to the events that occurred during his lifetime. This to teach us the correct interpretation of things. 

So therefore it’s primary impact on the Messenger (saw) would have been on his values. That it was sent to teach us how to interpret the events of our lives, and what to value. 

As we approach the month of Hajj it is pertinent to recall the father of our Nation: Ibrahim (as). And whilst the focus of our deliberations are often upon his and his family’s sacrifice and their consummate submission to God, his life prior to that still factors largely in our scripture. 

His people were idolators (worshiping hand crafted stones) and are reputed to have believed in the stars, and that is why he is said to have feigned illness and intimated that the stars had affected him. 

It is obvious from the story that he was a man of deep contemplation. 

And that even here he did not lie, but allowed his people to suppose what they wished to believe. 

But what is outstanding is the depth of knowledge that can be gleaned from true and deep contemplation. 

We see a like occurrence within another chapter of the Quran devoted to Luqmaan the wise. Luqmaan was neither a prophet  nor a Messenger, and we know this because we are nowhere told that he was. And yet once again through sheer contemplation he is able to garner the central truth of Islam: that associating others with Allah is the greatest of oppressions, from which all other oppressions tend to follow. 

And then also, and incredibly,  the necessity of prayer to the extent that he even advises his son(s) to pray. 

This may sound obvious, but actually when you think about it a bit, this means that his conviction was a deeply held reality. That he knew that he was on the Haqq, and had not a shadow of doubt about it. 

This profound belief is so clear in Ibrahim even before he became a prophet, for when the angel of the fire appeared to him, he is not a astounded nor taken aback but instead refuses his help. 

It is at the appearance of the angel that it could be argued that he attains the station of prophethood since it is here that he is shown something of the hidden world. 

But before that it is sheer rational thought and contemplation that leads him not just to know that there is a hidden World, but that there is One who created and has the authority to do as He wishes (the Sovereign of the Universe) and then to put his trust fully in Him. 

This both from solely contemplating the signs within God’s creation. 

Imagine then when we are gifted both God’s speech and His religion, both ripe with yet more signs. 

And we fail to contemplate them. 

How sorry we are when we feel that God will not guide us, and that His care will only extend to us when we pay due obeisance to those we believe are in the know. 

Maybe it is this that explains the saying of the Messenger (saw) to seek knowledge even if it is to China. 

For it is the traveller that is under the special care of the Most Gracious, and His infinite care extends to those that contemplate in the hope of earning His pleasure. 

*END*

Knowledge is sought through study and contemplation. 

Not lectures and talks, nor this above. 

I write to stimulate thought, and therefore do not posit full texts or arguments as I wish for you to pursue these yourselves. 

My argument stands or fails based upon your pursuit.