The Glorious Quran outlines that human beings develop five kinds of relationships with the universe and themselves, only one of which is acceptable to God. Here is a summary of these relationships:
Relationship of Closed-Mindedness
The human mind, in its true nature, is open, impartial, receptive, and never full. Closed-mindedness contradicts this purity, driven by the fear of new knowledge that might challenge personal interests. This mentality gives rise to prohibitions like “do not read,” “do not listen,” and labels such as “innovators” or “deviated people.” The term ‘Qalb’ in Arabic, meaning mind, signifies its dynamic and ever-changing nature. However, closed-mindedness leads to stagnation and idleness, resembling a rusted machine that produces only predetermined outcomes.
Those with closed minds do not allow fresh ideas to enter and are burdened with outdated, decaying thoughts. This mentality is prevalent among those under the control of religious priesthood, described in the Quran as those who unjustly consume people’s wealth and create barriers between truth and humanity (Quran 9:34). The Quran condemns this anti-natural state, referring to it as ‘Kufr’ (disbelief) in verses 2:88 and 4:155. Closed-mindedness is thus seen as worthy of God’s curse due to its inherent opposition to the mind’s free, open nature.
Animal Relationship
Humans are endowed with intellect and wisdom, meant to transcend mere sensory experiences. The Quran states that those who do not think beyond their senses develop an animalistic relationship with themselves and the universe. Such individuals are considered worse than animals because, unlike humans, animals lack intellect and wisdom. The Quran highlights this in verse 7:179: “They have minds wherewith they understand not, eyes wherewith they see not, and ears wherewith they hear not. They are like cattle, nay, even more astray; they are the heedless ones.”
Utilitarian/Hypocritical Relationship
Sometimes, humans form relationships with the universe based on self-interest, regardless of truth, justice, or morality. This utilitarian perspective leads individuals to exploit anything beneficial to them, even if it is morally wrong. Such self-centeredness can manifest as individualism, nepotism, communalism, or nationalism. This hypocritical behavior is described in the Quran in verse 2:14: “When they meet those who believe, they say, ‘We believe,’ but when they are alone with their devils, they say, ‘Truly we are with you; verily, we were but mocking.’”
Blind Relationship
Despite possessing intellect and wisdom, many people follow beliefs blindly, even if these beliefs are contradictory and harmful. Blind belief leads to the rejection of facts that contradict pre-existing notions. Albert Einstein warned against this, stating that “blind belief in authority is the greatest enemy of truth.”
He also noted that “science without religion is lame, whereas religion without science is blind.”
Blind belief hampers productive thought and leads to dogmatism, bigotry, superstition, and exploitation. The Quran advises against blind adherence, even to its own teachings, as stated in verse 25:73: “And those (the slaves of the Most Beneficent) who, when they are reminded of the Ayat (proofs, evidences, Quranic verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord, fall not deaf and blind thereat.”
(To be concluded…)