People of Intellect in the Light of the Holy Qur’an
Today we present you an interesting feature titled People of Intellect in the Light of the Holy Qur’an.
The human being is God’s best creation, having been bestowed with a proportionate body, flexible limbs, the gift of the speech, and moreover intellect to discern between good and evil. Ayah 14 of Surah Mominoun says:
“So blessed is Allah, the best of creators!”
The holy Qur’an urges us to think, reflect, ponder and contemplate, not just on the world around us, but also on our own selves, since our whole frame is the supreme marvel of creation. As ayah 59 of Surah Anaam says:
“No leaf falls without His knowing it”
This is indeed a matter of reflection, since it is the wise who feel humble before the Infinite Power of and Glory of God Almighty.
In Surah Aal-e Imran, ayah 190 and 191 read:
“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 Allah standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth [and say], ‘Our Lord, You have not created this in vain! Immaculate are You! Save us from the punishment of the Fire.”
It is said that whenever it rained, the Gnostic, Ayatollah Nejabat, who was a disciple of the great Gnostic, Ayatollah Seyyed Qazi Tabatabie, would uncover his head and go out. On being asked as to why he was exposing himself to rain, when people seek shelter during rainfall, he answered: As long as God bestows His mercy upon me I endeavour to acquire it, as a means of pleasure that is not felt by kings who sit upon thrones.
This reply shows the people of intellect strive for knowledge and ponder on the entire creation. This knowledge acts like a fresh breeze or rays of sunshine enlightening hearts. People of intellect view the ubiquitous presence of God the Omnipresent everywhere. The Prophets taught us how to strive for God’s proximity by avoiding the temptations of the world. Ayah 56 of Surah Dhariyat says:
“I did not create the jinn and the humans except that they may worship Me.”
A hadith from Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) says: God did not create anything more valuable than intellect.
Therefore the sleep of a wise person is much better than an ignorant person who is wide awake. The Prophet’s elder grandson and 2nd Infallible Heir, Imam Hassan Mojtaba (AS) says that the intellect is the best gift of God to mankind since it is through intellect we keep our self away from the evil and temptations of the world, and consequently safeguard ourselves from the fire of hell.
According to the holy Qur’an, the people of intellect are few, since most people do not ponder and that is why they turn away from truth.
In Surah Anbiya, ayah 24 reads:
“Rather most of them do not know the truth, and so they are disregardful.”
Religious leaders consider pride and arrogance as means of distancing oneself from God. Satan was aware of the glory of God but due to his pride and arrogance, he disobeyed the Almighty and thus destroyed his 6 thousand years of worship. Among the humans, persons such as the Pharaoh, Korah and others fell in the pitfalls of pride and arrogance. The Pharaoh of Egypt termed himself god saying, “I am your exalted lord!” as we read inSurah Naziat, ayah 24.
The end of the proud Pharaoh was annihilated and drowning in the waters. Thus in order to avoid pride and arrogance we should ponder on the wonders of creation, and even upon our own selves to have a proper cognition of God, and realize our own humility. From the fishes in the water to the stars in the sky, we have myriad of things to ponder upon.
That is the reason proper pondering in order to acquire guidance, is better than a thousand year of worship. It is the wise who realize that nothing is without purpose in this vast universe. It means life is not meaningless. Even death has a philosophy behind. This will all become evident on the Day of Resurrection. The wise people are very different from the people who see everything in the world but do not perceive the power and glory of the Almighty Creator. Even a brief glance at the environment around us will help us to realize the underlying truth, if we properly use our intellect. The holy Qur’an has granted the people of intellect a special status and in Surah Baqarah, ayah 269, we read:
“He gives wisdom to whomever He wishes, and he who is given wisdom, is certainly given an abundant good. But none takes admonition except those who possess intellect.”
Also, ayah 9 of Surah Zomar, says:
“Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’ Only those who possess intellect take admonition.”
source: irib.ir
