A066
Surah: 005 - Ayah: 066
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5:66
"Finally, I would like to ask a question and hope that you will graciously reply to it. Question: The moment plants grow from the soil or the minerals, they turn their heads upwards, whilst in animals, the head protrudes forward and in man the head is up right. What is the secret of wisdom hidden in these three different states?
You can see with what depth and hold of intellect and wisdom, the question ls asked and how clear and comprehensive he is in his questioning'.
Answer: It is true that ever plant, whether it is a cypress tree whose head is raised upward, or it is the creeper of a water-melon, which spreads on the ground, the moment it sprouts, its head is turned towards the heaven. This is its natural guidance and recourse towards the system of providence which is availed through the physical heaven and the sun, so that it may be nurtured and nourished by heat, light, rain and air. This nurturing of the plants is not only through the roots, but also through the branches. This implies the wisdom-filled, divine indication that if someone wants to grow from the earth of religion and have recourse to the sun of guidance, he can do so with utmost happiness, so that, he may be considered a new plant of the garden of the religion of God, about whose upbringing in spirit and knowledge, it is said: "If they had observed the Torah and the Gospel and that which was revealed unto them from their Lord, they would surely have been nourished from above them and from beneath their feet" (5:66). That is to say that, there is such a stage of spirituality, in which the higher particles descend to the spiritual traveler (salilk) from the side of the head and the lower particles can enter from the side of the feet, so that, he may be nourished and grow like an ever-green tree, as God says about Hazrat Maryam: "And He made her grow a goodly growth" (3:37). If plants and trees had not served as examples of the perfect and complete men, then there would not have been such a mention in the Wise Qur'an.
Spiritual Nourishment
Q. 53. It is said in the verse (5:66): "If they had observed the Torah and the Gospel and that which was revealed unto them from their Lord, they would surely have been nourished from above them and from beneath their feet". Does this verse contain any spiritual wisdom or does it only have this literal meaning? Is it possible that the obedient ones may have more worldly nourishment and the disobedient ones may die of hunger?
A. Here the spiritual nourishment is mentioned. Even though apparently, it seems to be the mention of the physical food, but, if we look into it with insight, we will come to know that, in reality, it is the spiritual nourishment which is mentioned here.
It should be known that man has many examples. One of them is that of a tree. For man also has the soul of the tree (namely, vegetative soul). -The nourishment of the tree is in two ways: through the roots and through the branches. Similarly, at the higher stages of spirituality, the heavenly souls enter (man) through the head and the earthly souls through the feet. In this is also alluded that the vegetative souls of dietary strength and energy enter through the feet and the animal and human souls through the head.
Further, the subtle or spiritual nourishment which are received through the head are again of two kinds. One goes down through the throat, and is not chewed, for it is subtle and extremely minute. This should be considered as part of the animal soul. And there are many others which are given in the form of fragrances. These should be considered as part of the human soul.
It has been mentioned in the subject of the “Concept of the Waves of Light” that there is a dire need of light for the feet of every mu'min too. Thus, accordingly a spiritual current enters through the feet also. A clear allusion to this reality is in the verse (5:66) that, in the particles of the soul which enter the body through the feet, there is subtle nourishment as well as spiritual medicine. Study carefully the Qur'anic story of Hazrat Ayyub, may peace be upon him (38:42) that, by the command of God, he struck the earth with his foot and a spring of cool water gushed out, not only externally but also internally, by using which his disease disappeared. The internal cool water which is for the heart and mind (batin) is the light of complete health.
The answer from the spiritual point of view is that light can enter the human body from six sides. The higher souls enter from the side of the head, which are all beneficial and the lower souls enter from the side of the feet (5:66), some of which are beneficial and some are harmful, such as germs, evil spirits and devils. Thus foot is such a gate through which can enter a good soul as well as a bad soul. Thus if a mu'min does physical exercise for the sake of dhikr and dhikr for the sake of physical exercise, then he is very wise. And it is obvious that this exercise is extremely necessary for the feet so that the body and soul may remain safe and sound in every respect.
This verse has been referred 2 times.