Groupings

You know, when humans come together to do things as one,

they are reflecting the central principle of Islam,

which is unity,

Tawhid.

For muslims, Tawhid runs through every area of knowledge,

who they are, and what is.

It is at the centre of the sciences of law and theology,

the natural and mathematical sciences,

and the sciences of the inner and spiritual life of humans themselves,

each approaching it in a slightly different way.

For lawyers and theologians

the universe is the background for human action,

for the scientist it is to be physically analysed and understood,

and for those seeking inner knowledge it is a mirror

reflecting realms beyond the senses.

And the words that link all these areas of knowledge in the muslim world

are to be found in the Qur'an,

the key words for human understanding of creation.

It is both the recorded Reading,

al-Qur'an al-Tadwin,

and the Reading of creation,

al-Qur'an al-Takwin,

containing the 'ideas' of all things.

That is why the word "ayat"

not only means verses of the Qur'an,

but also phenomena in nature,

as well as events within the souls of humankind.

So when muslims act within the creation,

whether as individuals or coming together as groups,

working or playing or studying together,

their behaviour is set in a universe

that includes the supernatural.

They want their actions to rise above their physical nature,

and when thinking about the universe

see it not as separate from themselves,

but as a mirror that reflects a higher reality,

a vast expanse of symbols

which speak and have meaning for humankind.

In this way, the purpose of their life in this world

is to gain knowledge of the creation

in order to become universal humans,

individual mirrors

reflecting all the Divine Names and Qualities

existing in the universe.

By living in this way,

by taking advantage of the opportunity this life gives them,

they can leave this life recognising what they have been given,

and having passed on to others

what they have received.

That is a way of life lived in gratitude and generosity,

a way of life that is the muslim Deen.

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