THE UNIVERSAL VILLAGE
The Quran, revered for its theological profundity, also profoundly connects us to nature, intricately weaving the spiritual and natural world with literary finesse. A hallmark of the scripture is its invitation to reflect and ponder on the natural order and its use of rich, vivid and descriptive verses to teach moral and spiritual truths about our environments and the Divine: “In the creation of the heavens and earth; in the alternation of night and day; in the ships that sail the seas with goods for people; in the water which God sends down from the sky to give life to the earth when it has been barren, scattering all kinds of creatures over it; in the changing of the winds and clouds that run their appointed courses between the sky and earth: there are signs in all these for those who use their minds” [2:164].
Allah scaffolds this verse exquisitely. Its orchestral harmony builds into a wondrous crescendo of integrated but diverse life-giving symbols for those imbued with wisdom.
Behind the scaffolding is a Singular Creator without equal, One that directs to His Unity and unity in design. This verse stunningly articulates this truth, declaring that all creation is integrated, interrelated, and interconnected.
Earth is singled out from all other heavenly bodies, illustrating its importance in life’s architecture. Then, Allah implicitly mentions the other objects vital for life: the sun and moon. So far, yet so near, as they dominate so many facets of our daily lives.
Their effects, even between such massive expanses, hint that our actions can influence across vast distances, too, no matter how small. We should never diminish acts inconsequential in this intricate web of life.
The 20th century popularised the notion of the Global Village. But sages have long believed in a truer concept: the Universal Village, where God weaved the land, sea, sky, and vast cosmos into one glorious tapestry.
SHEDDING LIFE’S CRUDITIES
Allah sent the Prophet (s) to refine the crudities of the human condition.
When journeying the road of self-development, recognising my negative traits is a crucial step on this path. This practice allows me to break, and open up to new possibilities.
Embracing this challenge keeps me steadfast in the paideia tradition, which values knowledge, wisdom, and personal transformation as the keys to progress.
Paideia—Greek, Tarbiya—Arabic, are terms dealing with the enculturation of the human.
Samuel Beckett, the Irish playwright and Nobel Prize-winning author, said, “Try again, fail again, fail better.” This advice beautifully articulates the paideia spirit and encourages us to remain on the path of refinement by viewing failure as the key to progress.
Refining the crudities of our condition must be our path. If not, “What kind of quality human being do we want to be?” Asks Professor Cornel West.
Just like knives, we become blunt. So, what will be our whetstone for 2025?
What must I sharpen today to put me on the path of progress? And where will I be by year’s end if I keep it sharp?
Until next week, InshaAllah
Zaahied Sallie
Author of The Beloved Prophet – An Illustrated Biography in Rhyme
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