Secular View of Nature and Neglect of Divine Signs
Introductory Analogy: Ignoring the Message on the Signboard
Imagine you're traveling on an unfamiliar road on a dark and stormy night. Thunder roars, lightning strikes, and suddenly the road splits into two paths. Confused about which direction leads to your destination, you come across a signboard displaying directions.
Now, if you get mesmerized by the aesthetic of the signpost—admiring its beauty or circling around it—yet ignore the directions written on it, will you reach your destination? Certainly not.
Nature and the Analogy of Secular Thinking
This is exactly the case with nature and creation. All entities and natural phenomena in the universe, with their aesthetic beauty and perfection, are like signboards guiding humanity toward its Creator. But if one focuses solely on the material or visual aspects of these signs and ignores their intended message, they will fail to reach their ultimate purpose: recognizing Allah.
The Meaning of Secularizing Nature
① Distortion in Religious (Naqli) Sciences:
- When religious sciences are separated from the Creator of the universe and confined to worldly matters, the spiritual essence and emphasis on the Hereafter are lost.
- Under this mindset, undue importance is given to worldly affairs like politics, society, and systems of governance.
- Thinkers like Jamal al-Din al-Afghani and Sir Syed Ahmad Khan promoted the idea that religion's domain is limited to worldly matters.
② Intellectual Disciplines and Nature:
- Severing the link between God and nature: Natural phenomena are explained without any reference to the Divine.
- Prioritizing sensory observation: The scientific method emphasizes observation and experimentation, disregarding God’s active role in the workings of nature.
The Limitations of Material Study
Science can explain only the material aspects of natural phenomena. For instance:
- Science cannot fully describe the color or scent of an apple.
- Similarly, assumptions and constants embedded in scientific equations are, in fact, indicators of unseen realities that point to God’s active involvement.
God’s Active Role in Creation
Allah is not only the Creator of this universe, but He is constantly upholding it every moment.
He is not merely Transcendent (beyond the universe), but also Immanent (present within everything).
In every natural phenomenon—whether ordinary or miraculous—His artistry is evident.
Secular Concept of Nature: A Result of Western Influence
The Western world limited religion and dismissed God’s dynamic role in the universe. Sadly, many Muslim thinkers adopted this secular mindset, attempting to understand nature without acknowledging the Creator.
Conclusion
Secularizing nature effectively limits God’s living and active role in the world.This mindset distances man from his true destination—the recognition of Allah.
God does not only reveal Himself in extraordinary events; rather, even the everyday occurrences in nature are among His signs.
This world is filled with evidences of Allah’s creation, and we must view and understand nature in light of its divine message.
