of Nokounam (Session Eight Hundred and Twenty-Six)
The discourse on elucidating the reality of divine will and the governing order over the realm of existence, as manifested in the thirteenth verse of Surah Al-Imran, constitutes a gateway to profound understanding of the systematic nature of creation and its relation to the lordly will. This verse, like a clear mirror, displays a facet of divine wisdom whereby the cosmos is not chaotic or disorderly, but rather possesses a precise and purposeful system. In this treatise, through contemplation on this noble verse and by referencing the lectures of religious scholars, an endeavour has been made to expound the fundamental concepts of will, cosmic order, and the nexus of science and religion in a lucid and dignified manner. Employing analogies and allusions, this writing strives to clarify the dynamic and systematic reality of the universe so as to both inspire the heart towards the zeal of knowledge and guide the mind towards reflection on creation.
وَاللَّهُ يُؤَيِّدُ بِنَصْرِهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ ۗ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَعِبْرَةً لِأُولِي الْأَبْصَارِ
And Allah supports whom He wills with His help. Indeed, in that is a lesson for those of vision.
This verse, like a radiant torch, sheds light upon the reality of divine will and the prevailing order governing the world. Divine will, akin to a dynamic flow, encompasses all aspects of existence and arranges each phenomenon within the framework of its own requirements. The lesson for those endowed with insight is an invitation to contemplate this systematisation and comprehend it as a sign of the boundless wisdom of the Lord.
The cosmos, like an open book, exhibits the verses of divine order and wisdom. This universe is not a chaotic and disorderly collection but a system in which each part and phenomenon operates according to its specific necessities. This order manifests the lordly truth that encompasses all aspects of creation and, like an invisible thread, connects the components of the universe. Through contemplation of this system, human beings can access the truth of their Lord, as the noble tradition states: Whoever knows himself, knows his Lord. The human soul, with its astonishing complexities and systematic nature, is a mirror reflecting this lordly reality.
Human scientific and industrial advancements resemble fruit harvested from the tree of nature. Instruments such as cameras, computers, and industrial machinery all stem from the study and imitation of the existing natural order, such as the human brain, eye, and heart. The flight of aeroplanes is modelled on the wings of birds, and the functioning of industrial devices draws from the claws of animals and human hands. This imitation bears witness to the wisdom embedded in creation that has directed humanity towards discovery and creativity.
Divine will, like a soul within the body of the universe, endows creation with order and organisation. This order is evident not only in the natural structure of the cosmos but also in human scientific achievements. Through reflection on this system, humanity may advance towards knowledge of the Creator. The thirteenth verse of Surah Al-Imran, by emphasising divine will, invites comprehension of the reality that the universe is governed like a precise mechanism under the lordly will.
The miracles of the Prophets, like stars in the sky of guidance, have directed humanity towards truth. Approximately seventy per cent of these miracles have their roots in natural and material laws, while only thirty per cent possess a supernatural dimension. These natural miracles are the result of the Prophets utilisation of advanced knowledge of natures laws, which appeared extraordinary to the people of their time. This fact reveals the profound link between science and religion, as the Prophets were pioneers of knowledge and understanding in their eras.
Whoever knows himself, knows his Lord.
This noble tradition, like a golden key, opens the doors of knowledge. The human soul, with its remarkable order and complexity, reflects the lordly truth. Understanding this soul is a pathway to comprehending divine order in the universe, for humanity, as an eminent creation, manifests the attributes of the Lord.
The miracles of the Prophets and the tradition of self-knowledge form two wings of knowledge guiding humanity towards understanding divine truth. This section, emphasising the nexus of science and religion, shows that the Prophets were not only conveyors of revelation but also pioneers of science and insight. Self-knowledge, as a route to divine cognition, invites humans to reflect upon the order of creation and grasp divine will.
Divine attributes such as knowledge, power, and generosity are intrinsic to the true essence of the Lord and appear in humans in a created and limited form. The infallibility of the Prophets is not innate but a gift bestowed upon them within the framework of divine will. This distinction reveals Gods exalted status as the source of all perfections.
The universe operates neither by strict determinism nor by absolute free will but according to inherent necessities. Human actions are like fruits borne from the tree of prior conditions, the result of inheritance, environment, and history. This view aligns with the concept of the matter between two matters, which rejects both determinism and absolute freedom.
God, as a dynamic reality, possesses motion; however, this motion is neither physical nor transmitted but rather of the nature of manifestation to manifestation and determination to determination. This motion originates from divine will, encompassing all existence and sustaining creation as an uninterrupted flow that keeps the universe alive and dynamic.
Divine attributes, the necessities governing the universe, and lordly motion all acquire meaning within the framework of divine will. This section, by rejecting determinism and absolute free will, emphasises the ordered necessity of the cosmos and presents God as a dynamic and systematic reality encompassing all aspects of creation.
Certain traditional approaches in religious science, by focusing on abstract concepts such as existence and essence, have distanced themselves from comprehending the dynamic and systematic reality of God. These approaches have sometimes addressed intangible and impractical concepts instead of elucidating reality. Religious science must progress towards scientific and practical explanation to adequately clarify divine truth within the framework of cosmic systematisation.
For a profound comprehension of Qur'anic concepts such as divine will, religious science must adopt empirical and experimental methods. This transformation can contribute to a tangible and practical explanation of the Qur'anic verses and connect religious knowledge to the needs of contemporary times.
Critique of traditional approaches and emphasis on scientific methods pave the way for revitalising religious knowledge through the Qur'an. This section, advocating transformation in religious science, underscores the necessity of linking religion and science so that divine concepts may be explained tangibly and practically.
Divine will, as a pervasive flow, forms the axis of all phenomena in the universe, including revelation and guidance. Revelation is not limited solely to the Prophets but is sent down to all creatures according to their own capacities. This perspective introduces revelation as a comprehensive current in the cosmos, from which every creation benefits proportionally to its capacity.
The term يَشَاءُ (will), repeated 116 times in the Holy Qur'an, shines like a brilliant gem signalling the centrality of divine will in all matters of the universe. This term emphasises the orderliness and necessity of the cosmos and places every phenomenon within the framework of divine decree.
The Holy Qur'an, with astonishing precision, employs the term شَيْءٌ to indicate a firm and stable existence, while using شَيْبٌ to denote weakness and frailty (such as old age). This distinction reveals the Qur'ans linguistic exactitude and the qualitative differences in the existence of creatures.
Divine will, as the pivot of the universe, encompasses revelation and guidance, benefiting all creatures within their capacities. The repetition of يَشَاءُ and the Qur'anic linguistic distinctions emphasise the depth and precision of this celestial scripture, facilitating understanding of creations systematic nature.
