It occurred at the beginning of Prophet Muhammad’s prophet hood in the cave of Hira near Mecca. The angel had pressed Muhammad three times telling him: “Proclaim (or read!) In the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created; Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood. Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful; He who taught (the use of) the pen; Taught man that which he knew not. “(Quran96: 1-5)
This verse from the Quran incorporates so much of the message of Islam in a few words. In it there is the reality and nature of the human being; there is the nature of human activity in the world; and, to wrap things up, this verse ultimately relates the goal of humanity.
Nature of the Human Being
Human beings are initially described in the Quran like no other book. The Quran relates humanity’s basic nature; created from a clot of congealed blood; created from the basic stuff of a primordial mix. It is a mixture that will develop into something greater than the basic components of its makeup. The human being eventually becomes a thinking person given to learning and understanding.
Nature of Human Activity
This speaks to the nature or Fitra of human beings. People learn through repetition. It’s as if the human being is a multi-dimensional creature where different elements of the self needs to learn by repetition for the thing to be known and completely understood.
Thus, learning takes place in stages. These stages are a necessary element to achieving proper development and knowledge. Such knowledge has the potential to lead to wisdom which is the perfect application of correct action.
Humanity’s Goal
Each person has a nature or disposition that drives her/him to fulfill something in life. If they but listen to the call from one On High. The call that states humanity was taught that which he knew not. However, just as the day turns tonight and the lush green valley’s turn to the must inhospitable of deserts so too does the power placed in the human being have an end.
Humanity’s endeavor is to learn, understand, and teach before their desert appears. In this way each person contributes to the advancement of humanity and thus advances the individual with spiritual gifts from God.
Two Edge Sword
Thus the ultimate fitra or nature of humanity is the inclination towards good. However that nature is a two edge sword. There is another inclination that exists within; the inclination to harm others and have selfish motives. The human being fights such inclinations in the greatest of all wars; the war over self.
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