QUOTE
"We are born with the natural instinct to worship God alone.Born in a state of purity and self-consciousness, it is society that causes us to drift.
—smdailyquotes
Fitrah_What Is It?
Are certain ideas imprinted in the human mind from birth, or is the mind of a baby a blank slate? Can a baby's early development provide signs of human nature? When a person is growing up, do they naturally think about God and moral principles, or are these made-up concepts created by earlier cultures? Why do some concepts and beliefs hold such sway over people?
When we think of what fitrah is, we may want to seek answers to the above questions.
Human nature has long been a topic of discussion and speculation. Do some behaviors in people develop organically, while others only as a result of cultural influences from their environment? Many positive human characteristics, such as moral qualities like compassion and concern for others, could be said to develop spontaneously, according to some.
Adam Smith, who is regarded as the founder of modern economics, asserted that sympathy must be innate. It is evident that there are some characteristics in man's nature that give him an interest in the welfare of others, he added, "no matter how selfish you think man is." Others, such as the English philosopher John Locke also asserted, that all knowledge is learned via experience and that the human mind is basically undeveloped from birth.
Muslim scholars define the Fitrah as the primal nature of all human beings. Centuries before, such remarks were made by conducting a thorough, meticulous, and methodical investigation of human nature.
Fitrah refers to either the state of purity and innocence towards which Muslims believe all humans are born, or the ability of both humans and jinn (djinn/genies) to accept or reject divine direction.
The English translations of the Arabic word fitrah include "natural disposition," "natural constitution," and "innate nature of any human being". You may be curious to know what exactly your natural disposition was? In Islamic theology, the term "fitrah" is used to describe the natural makeup of people, or the spotless foundation from which God produces all people. The natural state of a person includes a tendency to be morally and spiritually rightful, outright, and healthily.
The Qur'an introduces the idea of the Fitrah as follows:
"Therefore, set your gaze toward the real natural path of life, God's preferred fitrah (constitution), upon which He has created humanity. God's creation cannot be changed from its original state. Even if most people are unaware of it, that is the right way to live. It is the road of turning to God, keeping obedient to Him, cultivating prayer, and refraining from being among those who attribute partners to Him. (Qur'an 30:30-31)"
For better understanding, you may want to reflect on this. Have you ever thought about why you occasionally feel conflicted about what is good or bad? Why do you feel guilty after doing something wrong and are sometimes haunted to take the right action?
This is the standard "factory setting" that all humans are given when they are born.
The Qur'an describes the spiritual inclination toward God, expressing one's love of God by prayer and gratitude, and striving to get closer to God as the most important aspects of the fitrah. Additionally, this primordial state includes the moral propensity for compassion and goodness (the spiritual and moral are likewise connected).
One thing you must know is that it is not in your original nature to bring off an ill act. The person you were before life got the better of you, before you drifted, maligned and exposed to all forms of cruelty and wickedness in the world, does not condone negativity.
YOU ARE READING
Fitrah_Uncovering Your True Self:An Exploration of Fitrah and self discovery.
Non-FictionFitrah_Uncovering Your True Self: An Exploration Of Fitrah and Self Discovery is a compilation of techniques to help you uncover, your authentic self, through an understanding of your original disposition as an individual. It contains practical step...