The Twelfth Word
A brief comparison between the Qur’an’s wisdom and human philosophy and scientism
In the Name of God, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate.
Whoever has been given the Wisdom, certainly has been given much good. (2:269)
[NOTE: The two Fundamentals chosen out of the Four Fundamentals in this Word present a brief comparison between the Qur’an’s sacred wisdom and human philosophy, and a concise summary of the Qur’anic instruction and training for humanity’s personal and social life.]
SECOND FUNDAMENTAL:
A comparison between the Qur’an’s moral training in one’s personal life and that of philosophy: A sincere student of philosophy is a Pharaoh-like tyrant,7 he is a contemptible tyrant who bows in adoration before the meanest thing, if he perceives it to be in his interest. That irreligious student is obstinate and refractory; but he is so wretched that he accepts endless degradation for one pleasure. He is unbending but so mean as to kiss the feet of devilish people for a base advantage. He is also conceited and domineering, but, unable to find any point of support in his heart, he is an utterly impotent and vainglorious tyrant. That student is a self-centered egoist who only strives to gratify his material and carnal desires; a sneaky egotist who pursues the realization of his personal interests in certain national interests.
However, a sincere student of the Qur’an is a worshipping servant of God, but he does not degrade himself by bowing in worship before even the greatest of the created. He is a dignified servant who does not take even a supreme benefit like Paradise as the aim of his worship. He is modest, mild and gentle, yet he does not lower himself voluntarily before anybody other than his Originator, unless He allows him to do so. He is also aware of his innate weakness and need, but he is independent due to the other-worldly wealth that his Munificent Owner has stored up in him; and he is powerful because he relies on his Master’s infinite Power. He acts and strives purely for God’s sake and good pleasure, and to be equipped with virtue. The training given by the Qur’an and philosophy may be understood through the above comparison.
THIRD FUNDAMENTAL:
The Moral training of the Qur’an and philosophy in human social life: Philosophy considers force or might to be the point of support in social life, and the realization of self-interest is its goal. It holds that the principle of life is conflict. The unifying bonds between the members of a community and communities are race and aggressive nationalism; and the fruits philosophy offers are the gratification of carnal desires and the continuous increase of human needs. However, force calls for aggression, seeking self interest causes fighting over material resources, and conflict brings strife. Racism feeds by swallowing others, thereby paving the way for aggression. This is why humanity has lost happiness.
As for the Qur’anic wisdom, it accepts right, not might, as the point of support in social life. Its goal is virtue and God’s approval, not the realization of self-interests. Its principle of life is mutual assistance, not conflict. The only community bonds it accepts are those of religion, profession, and country. Its final aims are controlling carnal desires and urging the soul to sublime matters, satisfying our exalted feelings so that we will strive for human perfection and true humanity. Right calls for unity, virtues bring solidarity, and mutual assistance means hastening to help one another. Religion secures brother hood, sisterhood, and cohesion. Restraining our carnal soul and desires and urging the soul to perfection brings happiness in this world and the next.
Said Nursi
7 Pharaoh is a title given to the kings of ancient Egypt, and signifies any tyrant one. (Tr.)