The Argument (An approach to the Quran)

The Destructive Self Deliberation and reflection on the human self has continued unabated over the centuries. From the time when self-realisation was linked to the recognition of God, the wayfarers in the procession of divine passion began to search for salvation in the enchanting and tempting vastness of the human Self. This enigma has continued to engage mankind under the guise of various names, such as, self-consciousness, deep understanding and self-realisation. Few, however, have succeeded in attaining to the depth of its meanings: whilst those who were afraid of it, grew more in terror as their understanding of it grew. Those that did gain some knowledge of it found the Nafs to be the archenemy of Man, dominating every aspect of his life: the lawful and unlawful; good and evil; chaos and order; poverty and opulence; war and peace; the positive and the negative. Further, they witnessed it in the pomp and glory of the victorious and ...

Self Realisation We seek knowledge for many reasons. Some pursue it to for utilitarian purposes – a tool to better their quality of life. Others acquire knowledge for the sake of knowledge and devote their lives to academic research, others still crave knowledge to understand themselves and attain self-realisation. These are the three main motives which define our relationship with knowledge. Whilst the aim of the first two groups is clear, the outcome of the third appears vague and abstract. Why do we want to pursue the goal of self-realisation and what drives us along this path? Is the search for abstract concepts synonymous with self-awareness? Are we drawn by the humbleness of the philosophers, when faced with the big questions of life, their habit of questioning and researching everything? In fact, every type of education, intellectual activity, self-reflection and a focus beyond physical existence falls within the concept of self-realisation. Based on this it is clear that hu...