Qur'anic Minarets - Science and Spirituality

Science and Spirituality

According to Divine promise, in the present epoch physical miracles in the form of scientific advances continue to manifest, and now certainly the time of the manifestation of spiritual miracles (ayat) has also arrived (41:53). In such a case it is highly useful to reflect upon the wisdom of scientific miracles. Some examples of scientific inventions are therefore discussed in this article, so that the knowledge of certainty may be attained about their spiritual realities (mamthulat).
Powerhouse: This is the fountainhead of all kinds of material progress and well-being of a country or a city. Without it, people remain deprived of new life (i.e., the amenities of modern life). Thus, a powerhouse is an example of the light of guidance, for in religion the most essential power is the true guidance (light), whose supreme and universal example is the sun, nevertheless, there are also many other minor examples.
Generator: A generator which produces electricity is an example of rapid dhikr, by which light is generated in the world of a mu'min's heart. In the noble Qur'an there are certain words from the root of sin, `ayn and ya' which allude to rapid dhikr. The wisdom of rapid dhikr is also mentioned in Surah 100 in verses (100:1-2 ).
Aeroplane: This alludes to the spiritual journey and the throne of spirituality. Flying saucers and the astral body are also among the spiritual aeroplanes. Their wisdom-filled mention is also made in sarabil or shirts (16:81) and maharib or fortresses (34:13), etc.
Movie: A movie that is free from all kinds of evil, is instructive and made purely for an educational purpose is an example of spirituality. By God! If baytu'l-khayal and spirituality are progressing, it is the movie of Paradise, which is full of life and absolutely superb.
Radio: This is a proof of spiritual conversation (i.e., (kalam-i muwakkal) namely the speech of guardian angels). That is, the conversation of angels, the various examples of which are found in the mighty Qur'an, such as their conversation with the mother of Hazrat-i Musa (May peace be through him), Hazrat-i Maryam (May peace be through her), 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 exemplify spirit and spirituality.
Telephone: This is a symbol of supplication to God, the Provider of all needs. Thus, true mu'mins who are doing giryah-u zari and supplication for spiritual vision can be sure that their inner telephone is functioning very well.
Charging: When a specific battery becomes weak due to usage, it is recharged to fill it with electrical energy. This is an example of dhikr and `ibadat, by which the energy of the heart and mind is recovered as if the batteries of the heart and soul are recharged by the remembrance of God and `ibadat. However, there is a huge difference between material and spiritual batteries, 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 mu'mins, this work has progressed in the illumination of the light of guidance, by the Divine Command that criterion (furqan) will help them which is prescribed to differentiate, discern and decide (8:29).
Signal: Just as there are signals of peace or danger in the external world, similarly, there is a signal of good news or warning (33:45) in the internal world. The place of this signal is imagination, dream and spirituality. One of these signals is of good news and the other is of warning.
Telescope: This is an example of spiritual observation. Hazrat-i Ibrahim (May peace be through him) had seen the star, the moon and the sun with the inner eye (6:76-78 ). The physical telescope is separate 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 spiritual particles are observed, and every particle appears equal to the world-illumining sun.
Recording Instrument: This is an allusion to the Honourable Recorders (kiraman katibin, 82:11), namely, the great angels who, not only record deeds but also every word, act and their surroundings, so that it can be seen in spirituality and the Hereafter.
Photograph: [This is an example of] the angel of imagination (Khayal) who continues his spiritual photography of all things of the heaven and the earth which you observe and the people whom you see, the spiritual pictures and luminous film 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 copies of an `arif's soul are made at the destination of `Izra'il (May peace be through him). What a great mercy of God, the blessed, the exalted, is it that by this act, a mu'min, from a single individual, becomes innumerable (2:245)!
Computer: A computer, which in addition to computing does many things with great rapidity, is a notable wonder of scientific instruments. It is but a trifling example of the ibda`i (kun fa-yakun) miracles of the soul.
Satellite: When, according to the farman of Hazrat-i Mawlana Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah (May peace be through him), mu'mins through obedience, dhikr and `ibadat succeed in bringing a copy of their soul out from the body, it is as if they send a satellite to the higher world. At such times, such fortunate persons attain closeness to God and their prayer is accepted.
Wireless: This instrument is a proof of spiritual help (ta'yid) and acceptance of the prayer of a 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 through the guidance of the Perfect Guide (True Guide), `ibadat and spiritual exercise, that the inner eye opens and scenes abounding in spiritual marvels and wonders begin to appear.

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

8 Shawwal 1409 AH/14th May 1989 AD

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