Author: Shukran Ahmadi
Quran, is a Guide for Human Life (4th part)
The Role of the Holy Qur’an in Self-Cultivation
One of the purposes and goals of the Qur’an is to call for the cultivation of the human soul because human salvation in this world and the hereafter is not possible except through cultivation. As the Almighty Allah says: “وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّاهَا فَأَلهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَاهَا قَدْ أَفْلحَ مَن زَکَّاهَا وَقَدْ خَابَ مَن دَسَّاهَا” Translation: “By the soul of man and by the One who made him; then He inspired him to do evil and piety. One succeeds if he keeps his ego upright and abstains, and one fails if he pollutes his ego.” (Al-Shams, Verses 7-10)
It means that Allah Almighty has included the substance and talent for sin and obedience in the creation of the human soul; then he gave man the authority and power to choose one of these two paths, the path of sin or the path of obedience. Based on this authority, he is given a reward and a punishment. With this interpretation, the doubt arises that “when sin and obedience are inherent in the creation of man; is he forced to do it, and in this case, should he not be entitled to reward and punishment?” It is clear that one who obeys Allah willingly and cleanses his inner and outer self is victorious, and the one who cultivates his soul with sin will be deprived.
The Important Role of the Holy Quran in Human Progress and Development
Followers of distorted religions all agree that humans were better in the past than they are now, but they have gradually fallen into decline. They exaggerated this idea to the extent of believing that the ancients were more advanced in terms of science and industry, and currently, science is weakening and no progress is being made. Until three centuries ago, this opinion prevailed, but suddenly, the power of science overruled this speculation and made these illusions and fantasies completely worthless. It proved that the human race is progressing scientifically, evolving gradually, rising towards perfection, and this progress is a natural result and effect. The law of evolution is necessary, and a tough battle emerged between the followers of religions and the supporters of science and knowledge. Science won the field, and churches were called the opium of the nations, losing credibility. Unlike other religions, Islam attaches importance to science and established the law of human evolution a thousand years before European theorists. As the Qur’an says: “وَمَا أوتیتُم مِّن العلمِ إلا قَلیلًا”Translation: “You have only been given a small amount of knowledge.” (Al-Asra, V85)
“قُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلمًا” “Say, Lord, increase my knowledge.” (Taha, V6)
According to the mentioned verses, science is a phenomenon that is hidden from human sight, and one should strive to achieve it in the future. Muslims first turned to science and industry, choosing the path of progress and achieving scientific and industrial discoveries. They gave importance to science and evolution, practically proving this truth. If they believed in the fall and degradation of science and humanity like the followers of distorted religions, the impressive progress made by nations like Arabs in a few years would have been very difficult. Progress demands faith in evolution and progress.
