Islamic Ethics

Lecture 4: Divine Wisdom is Found From One’s Head To Toe

Now let man but think from what he is created!

He is created from a drop emitted-

Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs ^1

It was said in the previous lecture that Allah ordered man to think about his beginning. One must think that he was made from sperm, a substance that everyone hates. It is said that there are 34 bones in one's hand and if one of those bones was not there man would fall into many difficulties. Each finger has three parts so that one can make a fist, pick things up, and open and close his hands.

One would see wisdom if he carefully looked at his body. He would see that no part has been created in vain. There are not any extra veins or bones. If one thinks that there is a part of his body that was created in vain, he must realize that his thought has a problem.

Nature’s Choice, A Clear Contradiction

What does choice mean? A person who has intellectual capabilities chooses the better of two choices. The chooser must have an intellect, knowledge and understanding to be able to choose the better option. If nature does not have an intellect, what does choice mean? Does sperm have a brain which enables it to make a body?

Pay attention to your eyelids. The upper eyelids curl upwards and the lower eyelids curl downwards. In this way they become pairs. If it was not like this they would not pair up; instead they would clump up together and would not be able to protect the eye from dust.

Millions Of Cells In Each Body Part

Many research reports have been written and will be written about how many of the wisdoms found in the body are left unknown, but might be found out in the future. Likewise, we understand many things that the people of the past did not understand.

One's hearing faculty is comprised of three million cells, and if some of them are missing one will become deaf. One of my family members was deaf and went to the doctor. The doctor said that the reason he can not hear is that he is missing 16,000 of the three million cells necessary to hear.

It is really amazing to look at one's creation and see what happened.

Two of the names of Allah are All-wise and All-knowledgeable. Look at the complete wisdom and knowledge of Allah's actions that can be found in the body.

Ibn Sīnā made an interesting remark. He said: “Man becomes astonished at a magnet that picks up a little bit of metal, but does not become astonished at the fact that his intellect picks up and moves his heavy body with ease.” This is the same body that a few people struggle to move after death. What kind of ability is this that one can move just by having the desire to do so? Where does this ability come from? What great abilities Allah gave to the soul!

Humility In Front Of Allah’s Favors

One must continue thinking like this. Study the wonders of the body. Ponder upon them and then say: “Glory be to Allah, the Best creator.”

When man understands these things, his intellect tells him to be humble in front of such a Creator.

Great men have correctly stated that man is the slave of goodness. It is his nature to like and be humble in front of people who treat him kindly. If one thinks about the abundant favors from Allah, if one realizes that blessings from other than Allah do not exist, one will become humble in front of the truth.

Understand The Favor Before It Goes Away

A few years ago my ears got clogged up and I couldn't hear anything for a few days. I was forced to go to a doctor and he cleaned my ears for me. An hour after my ears were cleaned I heard a sound. I became so happy and said: “O' Allah! What a great blessing you have given me but I was unaware of it.” Man is like this, he does not know the greatness of a blessing until it is taken away from him. I hope that you will not wait for a blessing to be taken away from you for you to understand its greatness.

The greatness of one's ability to speak becomes clear if it is taken away. We should praise Allah with this ability, we should say: “Allah is the greatest.” Do not ever forget Allah. Allah gave so many blessings, internal blessings, external blessings, material blessings and spiritual blessings. He created the earth, skies and stars for mankind.

It has been heard that some say that Allah does not need our worship or thanks. This is true, but you are in need of it. Whatever man does is for himself.[^2] He receives the results of his actions, be they good or be they bad. If one thanks Allah he will become higher than the angels and will receive a lofty reward from Allah. But, it is to your own loss if you do not thank Allah. At the end, Allah knows where there is hope; he helps everyone reach the goal which is being in the presence of Allah (liqā' Allah).

[^2]: Refer to 2:285.