Discover Our Relationship with the Universe, and the Qur’an
Have you ever considered our relationship with the universe? In the context of God’s guidance to humanity comprises three miraculous books, where the ultimate book is singular yet contains two hidden within it. Just as humans are a fusion of body, soul, and intellect, there are three interconnected “books.” The universe represents God’s book when considering the body, while humanity itself represents another when contemplating the soul. Finally, when viewed through the intellect, the Qur’an serves as God’s book.
These three “books” intricately connect, urging us to reflect on the human, the universe, and the Qur’an. Understanding the Qur’an’s teachings prompts a deeper examination of the human condition and the universe. It reveals that humans and the universe are essentially one reality perceived through different lenses ,humans are referred to as the “small world” (alam e asghar), while the universe is regarded as the “greater world “(alam e akbar)”. As mentioned by Hazrat Ali:
Stating that humans exist within the universe and the universe exists within humans wouldn’t be inaccurate. This perspective considers the universe as a tree, and humans as the fruits borne by this tree. The essence of this universal tree lies within the thoughts of human beings. When these thoughts are cultivated in the realm of spirituality, an individual who might be incomplete can attain wholeness.
This universal rule applies to scientific and non-scientific advancements alike, emerging from the esoteric realm into the tangible world over time. The wisdom here lies in the idea that scientific innovations originate as thoughts in the human mind, stemming from the divine treasure of knowledge. Over time, these thoughts manifest into existence, showcasing the order of God’s creation.
In this vast universe, numerous aspects prompt us to reflect upon and understand the interrelatedness among these three miraculous books.
Tree an example of human in universe
The greatest signs of God in the universe include the wisdom-filled symbol of a tree, which is metaphorically represented in the book of God, the Universe, providing insights into comprehending the human soul.
When we contemplate the deeper aspects of a tree, it reveals two distinct parts: the hidden roots within the earth and the visible elements like the trunk, stem, and branches above ground. This duality of the tree symbolizes the two inherent values in everything in our universe—an unseen, internal aspect and an external, apparent reality. Just as a tree’s foundation lies in its roots, similarly, the human body’s essence is reliant on the soul, which remains concealed.
The life cycle of a tree—experiencing both the dying off in the autumn and revival in the spring—provides profound insights. Similarly, humans undergo two fundamental conditions in their lives: periods of loss and existence, scarcity and abundance, joy and sorrow, fear an peace 24:55 and ultimately, life and death. These contrasting conditions are inevitable and essential for human experiences. Absence of one may negate the existence of the other; for instance, without sorrow, joy might lose its significance. This pattern holds hidden truths of divine wisdom.
Our relationship with the universe can be understand by examining the tree’s fruit, one finds a kernel that encapsulates the potential for a new tree to grow. Similarly, our relationship with universe can be seen as a tree. The purpose behind the creation of the universe is to facilitate the existence and growth of humans. Just as the seed within the fruit contains the potential to grow a new tree, the human being houses a universal seed within—the brain.—endowed with the power of thought and imagination, facilitating the expansion of the universe. Essentially, the human being carries within them a universal seed capable of expanding into a broader universe. Human success is intertwined with the ‘universal soul’, the very foundation of existence. When an individual dissolves into the universal soul, it sparks the creation of a new universe, as described in Hadith
The essence found within a tree’s reality reveals that while things in the world may seem scattered and diverse, the tree itself stands as a symbol of unity and communion. Just as humanity varies in color, race, and beliefs, there exists an underlying unity as all individuals are fundamentally connected through a shared soul (Nafs-e-wahida) as described in 4:1 of the holy Quran. The term “mankind” signifies this fundamental unity, despite the diversity in thoughts and ideologies. Similar to a tree, where the trunk signifies unity, while its branches, offshoots, and roots depict diversity and dispersion.
Body as example for soul
The human body houses the soul and responds to the practices it undergoes. Those who engage in physical exercise are often known as bodybuilders. To become one, an individual subjects their body to various forms of discomfort from a young age, gradually forming a habit of regular exercise. They endure this discomfort to condition their body to move in diverse ways. Once familiar with this routine, exercising becomes much easier. Eventually, they gain significant strength, even capable of breaking a gold coin with their hands. Similar principles apply to the soul—by engaging in virtuous deeds consistently, the soul becomes akin to a body builder, growing in its ability to perform noble acts. As the soul becomes accustomed to performing good deeds, it evolves into a state akin to a bodybuilder’s strength, even transcending to a level beyond, enabling the individual to perform extraordinary feats.
Conclusion
The Qur’an, the universe, and humanity are three interconnected books that reveal God’s guidance. The Qur’an is the ultimate book, containing two hidden within it: the universe and humanity. Just as a tree has hidden roots and visible elements, so too does humanity have a hidden soul and visible body. our relationship with the universe can be seen as a tree giving birth to humankind, and the human brain as a universal seed with the potential to expand the universe. Despite the diversity of humanity, there exists an underlying unity as all individuals are fundamentally connected through a shared soul. By engaging in virtuous deeds consistently, the soul can become akin to a bodybuilder, growing in its ability to perform noble acts.