Quotes

Thirteenth Quote

Commentary:
This statement provides an insightful map towards a path to understanding the subject of ‘who we are’. Although there are many sciences which study one or more of these dimensions of existence, never the entire list in a holistic manner. This will partly explain why many of the ills of society persist and grow, rather than be eradicated. Simply put we do not know who we are.

Each of these domains serves an important function towards our journey of maturation and fulfilling our capacity to be a universal responder and/or a platform of manifestation for the Names and Attributes of God. The following outline will provide a guide to understanding this matter further.

It is important to understand that humans are not just a lump of physical matter. Nor are we just purely spiritual. We are like a composite of all the creations listed in the quote, namely; plant, animal, human and faith. All of these domains need to be functional and utilized in concert if ever a ‘Kemal’ (maturation) is to be achieved.

Humans have been brought here in the midst of all other existence, to communicate with their environment and seek the messages and manifestations of God’s, Allah’s, attributes in all Its creation. And thereafter, declare and exhibit this to the Creator with complete awe and submission. Ultimately, humans present their prayers and worships as an appointed representative of all creation. Humans are able to do this, because in a sense, it has all of creation within its physical and non-physical existence.

For example, like the seeds in the plant kingdom we follow a pre-designed genetic program to physical maturity. In the plant domain, we engage with the chemical and the physical elements, as well as the Laws of Universe, to develop from one cell (zygote) to the complex mature human body. This is similar to an apple seed growing into an apple tree. At this level, life exists, but mind and consciousness does not. Just as we had no say or control of how our physical being developed in the past, we don’t have a say in its interaction with its physical environment at present, nor its inevitable demise in the future. Humans receive all the bounties of sustenance for growth regardless of their beliefs and persuasions, as these are not determinants for sustenance.

Whereas in the animal domain there is an awareness of life, and there are many senses that it has been adorned with. The animals, and hence that part of humans, do not have a concept of past and future, nor a faculty of mind to deal with ideas and concepts. They focus on the present time and try to maximize their pleasures by adhering to their limitations, or act on what they were built to do. A strict regimen of eating, sleeping and reproducing is followed.

The third domain, the human domain, is now ready to enter the stage of existence. Human’s possesses a unique tool, the mind, and an equally important faculty the heart (the ‘Gayb Heart’ is intended here). With these tools and an array of fantastic senses and faculties, he seeks the wisdom behind all that exists and all that he experiences. He asks questions; where have I come from? Where am I going? Why am I here? He seeks the truth and nothing but the truth. And when he does find the truth and then believes in it –what we call ‘Iman’- then he has become human. Otherwise, he will resign himself to a life that is no different to a plant and/or an animal. It should come as no surprise then, when atheists refer to themselves and the human species as animals.

Finally, a true human will enter the last domain to fulfill its purpose of creation and enable itself to reach his full potential, that of ‘Kemal’; maturity and perfection. This last domain is the faith domain or ‘Iman’ domain. It is the highest level of consciousness, purpose, intent and action. In this domain, he does not deny the existence of his plant and animal domains. Nor does he shut himself from the world or its experiences. Rather, he uses all he is and all he has in line with the desires of the Creator. He eats, drinks, sleeps, builds, writes, talks and worships all for the Glory and love of God, ‘Allah’. In other words, beyond just believing the truth, as in the human domain described above, the human’s life never ceases to be in action. It ensures its plant, animal and human like domains work towards ‘Kemal’.

Written by Levent A.