Coolness of the eye - Science and Spirituality

Science and Spirituality

In this modern age, according to Divine promise, the physical miracles in the form of scientific advances continue to manifest and now, the time of the manifestation of the spiritual miracles has also most certainly arrived (41:53). It is extremely useful to reflect upon the wisdom of scientific miracles and therefore, in this article, some examples of scientific inventions are discussed, so that, the knowledge of certainty about their spiritual realities (mamthulat) may be attained.
Power House: This is the fountainhead of all kinds of material progress and well-being of a country or a city. Without it, people are deprived of the amenities of modern life. A power house in religion provides an example of the light of guidance, for in religion, the most essential power is the true guidance (light). The supreme and universal physical example of the true guidance is the sun, nevertheless, there are also many other minor examples.
Generator: A generator which produces electricity is a simile for rapid dhikr, by which light is generated in the world of the heart of a mu'min. In the Noble Qur'an, allusions are made to rapid dhikr, in some of the words which stem from the root sin, `ayn and ya' and also its wisdom is mentioned in the verses (100:1-2 ).
Aeroplane: This provides a simile for the spiritual journey and the throne of spirituality. Flying saucers and the astral body are also among the spiritual planes. The wisdom-filled mention of the spiritual planes is also made in sarabil or shirts (16:81) and maharib or fortresses (34:13).
Movie: A movie which is free from all kinds of evil and is instructive and made purely for educational purposes, is an example of spirituality. By God! if baytu'l-khayal and spirituality is in progress, it is the movie of Paradise, which is full of life and absolutely superb.
Radio: This is an example of spiritual conversation (mukhatabah-yi ruhani = kalam-i mu'akkal). That is the conversation of angels, whose numerous examples are found in the Mighty Qur'an, such as their conversation with the mother of Hazrat Musa, Hazrat Maryam, the Apostles (20:38; 3:42; 5:111) and with the mu'mins of the first rank (41:30). Thus, all scientific instruments are invented to provide similes and examples of the spirit and spirituality.
Telephone: This is the symbol of the supplication to God, the Provider of all needs. Thus, if a true mu'min is doing giryah-u zari and supplication for spiritual vision, it is certain that his inner telephone is functioning properly.
Charging: When a battery becomes weak due to usage, it is re-charged to fill it with electrical energy. This is an example of dhikr and `ibadat, by which the energy of the heart and mind is restored. That is, by the remembrance of God and `ibadat, are re-charged the batteries of the heart and soul. But there is a huge difference between material and spiritual batteries, in that, in the former there is room only for a limited amount of electrical power, whereas in the latter, there is the capacity for unlimited power.
Meter: Thermometer, hydrometer, barometer, etc., are material meters. Similarly, there are spiritual meters too, which have far greater importance. Every spiritual meter works in feelings and consciousness, i.e. in the external and internal senses. If, in a mu'min, this work has progressed in the illumination of the light of guidance, then by the command of God, the criterion (furqan) which is made to differentiate, discern and to decide (8:29), will help him.
Signal: Just as there are the signals of peace or danger in the external world, similarly, there is a signal of good news or of warning (33:45), in the internal world. The place of this signal is imagination, dream and spirituality.
Telescope: This provides an example of spiritual observation. Hazrat Ibrahim had seen the star, the moon and the sun with the inner eye (6:76-78 ). A physical telescope is different from the physical eye, but the spiritual telescope and the spiritual eye are one.
Microscope: This is the instrument which magnifies a small object. It is an example of the eye of insight, by which are observed the spiritual particles, each of which appears like the world-illumining sun.
Recording Instrument: This symbolises the Honourable Recorders (kiraman katibin, 82:11), namely, the great angels who, not only record deeds, but also every word, act and their environment so that they can be seen in spirituality and the Hereafter.
Photograph: This symbolises the angel of imagination who continues his spiritual photography. Thus, the spiritual pictures and luminous film of all things of the heaven and the earth which you observe and the people whom you see, are included in your record of deeds (18:49).
Copying-machine: Any machine which makes copies of a thing is an example of the fact that, at the stage of `Izra'il, the copies of the soul of an `arif are made. What a great mercy of God, the Blessed, the Exalted, that, by this act, a mu'min, from one becomes innumerable (2:245)!
Computer: A computer, which in addition to computing, does many things with great rapidity, is a notable wonder of science. It is but a trifling example of ibda`i miracles of the soul.
Satellite: According to the farman of Hazrat Mawlana Sultan Muhammad Shah (salawatu'llahi `alayhi) when a believing servant, through obedience, dhikr and `ibadat succeeds in bringing out a copy of his soul from the body, it is as if he sends a satellite to the higher world. At this time, such a fortunate person attains closeness of God and his prayer is accepted.
Wireless: This instrument is an example of spiritual help (ta'yid) and acceptance of the prayer of the mu'min which reaches the Divine court, like a wireless and is answered in the form of luminous guidance.
Television: This is an example of successful `ibadat which results in spiritual observations (according to the guidance of the Perfect Guide). For, it is the guidance of the Perfect Guide (True Guide), `ibadat and spiritual exercise, through which the inner eye opens and scenes abounding in spiritual marvels and wonders begin to appear.

In short, all these useful wonders of science present albeit in a mundane way, examples of the spirit and spirituality, so that the wise by these examples, are able to understand their realities.

Wa's-salam (Peace)!

Nasir al-Din Nasir Hunzai
8 Shawwal 1409/14th May, 1989.

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