I have learnt throughout my life that there is no conflict between religion and science. In fact, I have been taught that science when properly applied and interpreted is simply another facet of faith, and I sincerely believe this.
But then I hear many "theologists" and "religious individuals" talking about Adam and Eve and how Evolution couldn't have happened. On the other side of the debate stand individuals such as Bill Nye (The Science Guy), and a relatively massive pile of information... so there has to be a conflict right? Only one can prevail!!!
Not quite...
In Islam, our holy book, the Qur'an talks about Hazrat Adam (AS) and Bibi Hawa (Eve - AS), however it also mentions that God speaks to Mankind in parables and allegories, for God is the Knower of all things... So, here is my completely flawed, terribly biased attempt at understanding how, maybe, just maybe there is a way to believe in both a scientific principle as central as Evolution, and believe in the way the Holy books speak of it.
Of course, this requires a disclaimer - there is really no proof of anything I will write, if it offends you, I apologize. My perspective on this may (and likely will) change over the days, months and years, and when I am an older person, this may not hold true to me anymore. Additionally, I realize there are many things written that may contradict this, but it is simply a different way of looking at an issue, I personally believe that you cannot "sandbox" a concept as powerful and vast as Religion within something as limited as Science, so really science can only be one lens through which a person can view religion, but not the only one - however, it is the one that we see most often at odds with belief, so this is my attempt to tackle this.
Science tells us that mankind evolved from a common ancestor with apes and chimpanzees. At one point in time, there was a differentiation that occurred... almost an "AHA" moment, where suddenly a species had changed enough from that common ancestor that it could be called what we know today as "mankind." At one point in time, perhaps there was a single individual, who became cognizant, who became self aware. For the first time in our history there was a part of creation capable of naming itself... Adam.
So far, it could be plausible, God created mankind and the world, and man was created from a clot and formed essentially of base materials (clay of course could also be a metaphor referring to the ability to mould the intellect).
The next part of the narrative where God commands Adam and Eve not to partake of the forbidden fruit and they are tricked into it through the work of the Devil can also be interpreted in many ways. I have always considered that the greatest gift and the greatest curse we have been given has been our intellect. Our sense of awareness allows us to name things, allows us to communicate, pray and love. However, it can also lead to poor decisions, willfulness, anger, hatred, violence, catastrophic power and pride. For this reason, I have often chosen to interpret the devil as a metaphor for the intellect or, more specifically, the nafs al-amarra or the negative aspects of the intellect. Perhaps the garden of paradise that Adam and Eve lived in was a metaphorical garden within the mind. A sheltered place where their innocence as the first cognizant human beings could be expressed. Perhaps when Adam and Eve began to first ponder the nature and existence of God (the forbidden fruit that completely innocent beings cannot partake of), God chose to let them question. God allowed Adam and Eve to be free of the Garden of Paradise, a Garden that was a beautiful place, however, also a prison for their intellects. A place where they would be eternally happy, yet never truly living to their full potential.
Maybe, maybe not... but it's one possible way to think about creation. I personally refuse to believe that Science and Religion disagree completely on things as important as the creation of mankind. Maybe it's a poor compromise, but I feel it's a step in the right direction towards truly understanding religion and it's child, science.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
What I have learned
With the passing of my father comes a time of reflection, of thankfulness and of peace.
Through this I have realized that I have learned a great deal from a great man.
When my father was alive, I remember loving him fiercely, being protective of him almost as one would be protective of their own child, and just as parents are wont to do, I had completely ignored all the lessons my father was teaching me as I helped take care of him.
There are 3 things, 3 lessons that have really stood out for me in my time of reflection.
My father taught me to love. I already knew how to love of course, but through needing my help, through giving me his rare but beautiful smiles, through treating me differently than the rest of the world, I knew that I was very important to him and this of course meant that he was very important to me. Love means many things to many people, but for me, love is truly manifest when you are willing and able to do anything for the betterment of another, when you would give anything to make another smile, when you would fight against anything or anyone else to protect someone. That to me makes up a small part of what it means to love. I truly understood that thanks to my father.
My father taught me patience. Many times he would need to express himself but would be unable to, many times the specific word(s) he was looking for would remain just off the tip of his tongue. Many times, he would simply be cranky... My love for him helped me to endure these... this was truly an amazing way to learn to be patient... by listening to someone you love. Most of us love someone else deeply, but most of us are too preoccupied with our own desires, wants and needs to really listen to those whom we love. I was blessed, I was forced to listen to someone whom I loved, if I didn't listen and stay patient, I would have never understood anything he wished to say. Eventually, listening became a bit more of a habit, and I sincerely hope I can keep on listening through every relationship I have.
The final and most important lesson my father taught me was in humility. My father truly taught me to be humble, but unfortunately, this essential lesson has been more firmly learned only after his passing. Humility is among the most important traits we possess as humans, it is a characteristic that allows us to love, to be spiritual. It keeps us from vanity and allows us to be honest. If I were to be completely honest, I have never truly been a humble person. I have always felt different, and this uniqueness over the years has tended to express itself through pride. My deepest thanks have always gone to God for the many gifts I have received, but I always recognized that in my heart of hearts I was never truly humble. I understood that what I have in my life is not purely my own doing, I have always known that without the love of God, I would be nothing... but this is not all it takes to be truly humble. To be humble, one must acknowledge the impact other human beings have on ones spiritual and material growth. To be truly humble, one's heart must understand that life is not permanent and that everyone leaves unfinished business when they pass. To be truly humble can be depressing... because it means that one must let go of ones identity, abilities and beliefs. Through this, a person can realize the truth. When my father passed away, I realized that the events in my life that I thought were of my own doing, were often linked directly to the actions of my family. When I thought I was on my own, I almost always had many others with me. When I believed that I worked hard to achieve something, often my parents worked even harder than I did to help me to achieve. I was never alone, I have never done anything truly independently... and in this lies the greatest of truths. We are individually, both insignificant and the most significant being in all of creation... at the same time.
Thank you Dad.
Through this I have realized that I have learned a great deal from a great man.
When my father was alive, I remember loving him fiercely, being protective of him almost as one would be protective of their own child, and just as parents are wont to do, I had completely ignored all the lessons my father was teaching me as I helped take care of him.
There are 3 things, 3 lessons that have really stood out for me in my time of reflection.
My father taught me to love. I already knew how to love of course, but through needing my help, through giving me his rare but beautiful smiles, through treating me differently than the rest of the world, I knew that I was very important to him and this of course meant that he was very important to me. Love means many things to many people, but for me, love is truly manifest when you are willing and able to do anything for the betterment of another, when you would give anything to make another smile, when you would fight against anything or anyone else to protect someone. That to me makes up a small part of what it means to love. I truly understood that thanks to my father.
My father taught me patience. Many times he would need to express himself but would be unable to, many times the specific word(s) he was looking for would remain just off the tip of his tongue. Many times, he would simply be cranky... My love for him helped me to endure these... this was truly an amazing way to learn to be patient... by listening to someone you love. Most of us love someone else deeply, but most of us are too preoccupied with our own desires, wants and needs to really listen to those whom we love. I was blessed, I was forced to listen to someone whom I loved, if I didn't listen and stay patient, I would have never understood anything he wished to say. Eventually, listening became a bit more of a habit, and I sincerely hope I can keep on listening through every relationship I have.
The final and most important lesson my father taught me was in humility. My father truly taught me to be humble, but unfortunately, this essential lesson has been more firmly learned only after his passing. Humility is among the most important traits we possess as humans, it is a characteristic that allows us to love, to be spiritual. It keeps us from vanity and allows us to be honest. If I were to be completely honest, I have never truly been a humble person. I have always felt different, and this uniqueness over the years has tended to express itself through pride. My deepest thanks have always gone to God for the many gifts I have received, but I always recognized that in my heart of hearts I was never truly humble. I understood that what I have in my life is not purely my own doing, I have always known that without the love of God, I would be nothing... but this is not all it takes to be truly humble. To be humble, one must acknowledge the impact other human beings have on ones spiritual and material growth. To be truly humble, one's heart must understand that life is not permanent and that everyone leaves unfinished business when they pass. To be truly humble can be depressing... because it means that one must let go of ones identity, abilities and beliefs. Through this, a person can realize the truth. When my father passed away, I realized that the events in my life that I thought were of my own doing, were often linked directly to the actions of my family. When I thought I was on my own, I almost always had many others with me. When I believed that I worked hard to achieve something, often my parents worked even harder than I did to help me to achieve. I was never alone, I have never done anything truly independently... and in this lies the greatest of truths. We are individually, both insignificant and the most significant being in all of creation... at the same time.
Thank you Dad.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Selfish Tears
When one we love passes away, we cry...
Why?
Even looking at it from a non-religious standpoint, we don't cry for the deceased. We have no idea what happens to that individual after they die. We can say that we believe they go to heaven, or we know that they are "One with God" or "at peace"... but in reality, very few people, if any are gifted with the knowledge of exactly what lies after death...
So, what are we crying for?
We cry because that person will no longer share in our lives, that person will no longer make up a portion of our life story. We cry because we must live through a present and a future without them.
We cry because we are selfish...
The person who passes away and has tears shed for them, was such an amazing, AMAZING person, that regardless of faults, pain caused knowingly or unknowingly to others... that person has inspired sadness. That person has given the world gifts that will be sorely missed now that they are gone.
Those selfish tears are all that we are left with... and memories.
I remember my father as a strong man, and as a weak man. I remember him as being many things, angry, sad, happy, but I cry not because of the things I remember about him, I cry because of the gifts he has given me that I cannot recall. I cry because of the moral values he has instilled in every fibre of my being. I cry because my children and grandchildren (if I am given the grace of God to have any) will not have the privilege and opportunity to ever meet a man who has changed so many lives.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad once said, "Paradise lies at the feet of mothers"... for me, I saw Paradise whenever my father smiled.
Why?
Even looking at it from a non-religious standpoint, we don't cry for the deceased. We have no idea what happens to that individual after they die. We can say that we believe they go to heaven, or we know that they are "One with God" or "at peace"... but in reality, very few people, if any are gifted with the knowledge of exactly what lies after death...
So, what are we crying for?
We cry because that person will no longer share in our lives, that person will no longer make up a portion of our life story. We cry because we must live through a present and a future without them.
We cry because we are selfish...
The person who passes away and has tears shed for them, was such an amazing, AMAZING person, that regardless of faults, pain caused knowingly or unknowingly to others... that person has inspired sadness. That person has given the world gifts that will be sorely missed now that they are gone.
Those selfish tears are all that we are left with... and memories.
I remember my father as a strong man, and as a weak man. I remember him as being many things, angry, sad, happy, but I cry not because of the things I remember about him, I cry because of the gifts he has given me that I cannot recall. I cry because of the moral values he has instilled in every fibre of my being. I cry because my children and grandchildren (if I am given the grace of God to have any) will not have the privilege and opportunity to ever meet a man who has changed so many lives.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad once said, "Paradise lies at the feet of mothers"... for me, I saw Paradise whenever my father smiled.