Questions

1. Seeing Allah (swt)in the World around usA.L.I. 134 Part 2Dhu’l Hijjah 1428December 2007SALIM S. YUSUFALI  YUSUFALI@CS.STANFORD.EDU

2. Questions • According to the narration from Imam Sadiq (a) what should the servants of Allah deduce from the creation of the sky, earth, sun, night, and day? • What are the three ways of seeing Allah (swt) described in verse 53 of Surah Fussilat (41)? • What are some relevant lessons to be learned from the story of Ibrahim (a) verses 75-79? • Think of some examples of how people don’t treat the signs of Allah (swt) as a sign ought to be treated.

3. Signs of Allah are everywhere! إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ ... لَآيَاتٍ ... 3:190 Indeed in the creation of the heavens and the earth … there are signs… There is no being around us that is not part of the creation of the heavens and the earth  Everything is a sign of Allah!

4. Most people in this world disregard the signs of Allah وَكَأَيِّن مِّن آيَةٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ يَمُرُّونَ عَلَيْهَا وَهُمْ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضُونَ۞ 12:105 How many a sign there is in the heavens and the earth that they pass by while they are disregardful of it! “Disregarding” a sign can mean more than just not paying attention to it!

5. Seeing Allah (swt) in His signs Who is able to see Allah (swt) in His Signs?

6. The Important Question • I want to see Allah (swt) in the world around me. • So, I need to do something so that when I view His signs, I am mindful of Allah. • How can I develop this type of view?

7. Signs of Allah are not clear for everyone! • Signs of Allah (swt) are truly signs only for select people • Example verse: إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لَآيَاتٍ لِّأُولِي الأَلْبَابِ ۞ الَّذينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِياماً وَ قُعُوداً وَ عَلى‏ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ في‏ خَلْقِ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْض‏... 3:190-1: Indeed in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are signs for those who possess intellects. Those who remember God standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth…

8. Who can see the signs of Allah? Other examples, according to the Qur’an: • Those who listen (10:67) - لِقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ • Those who think (13:3) - لِقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُون‏ • Those who possess intellects (3:190) - لِأُولِي الْأَلْباب‏ • Those who have sense (20:54) - لِأُولِي النُّهى‏  Stages relate to application and development of reason and intellect (`aql)

9. The Aql • Our internal guide that guides us towards goodness and perfection  internal guide towards Allah (swt) • Everyone is born with an aql (conscience) that allows us to distinguish basic truth from falsehood and good from evil • Example: Child entrusting adult with his/her candy • Insufficient in determining everything that is good • Examples: Backbiting, responding sweetly to bad behavior

10. How to See the Signs of Allah • Since signs are clear for those who possess `aql (internal power that guides towards Allah (swt)), seeing the signs requires strengthening the `aql • What are some ways we can go about strengthening our `aql?

11. Practical Steps to Take in order to Strengthen the Aql

12. Practical Step #1: Contemplation and Taking Lessons from Life

13. Contemplation and Taking Lessons from Life • Advice from Imam al-Kadhim (a) to Harun al-Rashid: Every single thing your eye sees contains a lesson. (Wasail al-Shi’ah, v. 15, p. 196) • Imam Ali (a): How plentiful are the lessons to be learned and how rarely are they contemplated! (Nahj al-Balagha)

14. Why go on an outing into nature? Some typical answers: • To hear the birds chirp • To see the beautiful colors • To relax • To escape • To find inner peace

15. Example: Beautiful Scenery

16. Typical comments people make when seeing beautiful scenery • That was a gorgeous sunset. • Being out in the open makes me feel so happy! • Isn’t it nice to get away once in a while?

17. Results from this outing in nature • Temporary physical and psychological pleasure • Fueling the spirit of inquiry that leads to sciences such as: botany, forestry, natural history, oceanology, ornithology, astronomy But what can I take away from such an outing that will truly benefit me? A walk outside is supposed to be a spiritual experience! Why did Allah (swt) create all these beautiful things?

18. How to Respond to Beautiful Scenery Appropriately • Looking for beauty, power, majesty, and intelligence and being inspired by it • Acknowledging Allah as the sole source of beauty, power, and majesty in that scene • Imam Ali (a): Whoever looks at [the world] and [attempts to] see [Allah (swt)] with it, will be granted vision; and one who looks at [the world, independent of Allah (swt)] will be blinded by it. (Nahjul Balagha) • Traveling to see that scenery with an intention of pleasing Allah (swt)

19. Practical Step #2: Increasing Taqwa

20. Taqwa • Taqwa (تقوى): Power to obey Allah and resist His disobedience • Narrated from the Prophet Muhammad (s): Had it not been for the presence of the devils encircling the hearts of the children of Adam (a), they would have gazed upon the [inner dimension of the] dominion of Allah in the heavens and the earth. (Bihar al-Anwar) • Gaining entrance into the spiritual world requires spiritual cleanliness! • Example: Entering into a operating room • Taqwa has various levels

21. Example: A prohibited scene

22. How to treat a prohibited scene properly According to narrations, one who looks away from something prohibited will: • Taste the sweetness of faith • Find tranquility in his heart and one who doesn’t glance away will cause his eyes to be filled with fire!

23. Example: Tasty Food What is the difference between a human being who beholds this sign and an animal?

24. How to treat the sign of food and drink properly • Begin and end by remembering Allah (swt) • Sit in a humble manner • Remember those who are less fortunate • Eat to serve Allah and out of gratitude for His blessings

25. Practical Step #3: Gaining Knowledge

26. Knowledge Strengthens the `Aql • From Imam Ali (a): Surely you [your deeds] will be measured according to your `aql, so purify your `aql with knowledge. (Ghurar al-Hikam, p. 53) • Story of the poet, Baba Taher Oryan When I look at the plain I see you there,When I look at the sea, I see you there,Wherever I look, whether in mountain or dale,I see Your beautiful image painted there.

27. Practical Step #4: Self-Restraint and Thankfulness

28. Sabr (Self-Restraint) and Shukr (Thankfulness) أَ لَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ الْفُلْكَ تَجْري فِي الْبَحْرِ بِنِعْمَتِ اللَّهِ لِيُرِيَكُمْ مِنْ آياتِهِ إِنَّ في‏ ذلِكَ لَآياتٍ لِكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ ۞ Have you not regarded that the ships sail at sea by Allah's blessing, that He may show you some of His signs? There are indeed signs in that for every patient and grateful servant )31:31). • Sabbaar (صبّار) = One who restrains himself from not getting distracted with what does not concern him • Shakoor (شكور) = One who is occupied in thinking about the blessing of Allah!

29. Practical Step #5: Sharpening the Brain

30. Sharpening the Brain • Imam Sadiq (a): The `aql is located in the brain. Do you not see how when a man has a small amount of `aql he is told, what a small brain you have!(Tafseer al-Qummi, v. 2, p. 239) • Recommended foods: quince fruit, celery, meat (at least once every forty days), vinegar, honey, pomegranate with its white membrane, pussley/purslane herb, citron

31. Practical Step #6: Seeking Help from Allah (swt)

32. Seeking Help from Allah • Imam Musa al-Kadhim (a): O Hisham! Whoever wishes to be rich without material wealth, and at peace in his heart without jealousy, and safe and sure with respect to his religion, let him plead to Allah (swt) to perfect his `aql. (Al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 18)