التوحيد والفطرة في الإسلام

Chapter 4: The Fitrah Of Human Being From Islamic Perspective

• This chapter explores the concept of Fitrah from an Islamic perspective, contrasting it with the concept of "original sin."
• It examines the relationship between Fitrah, Qadar, and Qada`.

Concept of Fitrah

• Literal Meaning: The word Fitrah originates from the Arabic verb "fa-ta-ra" (verb) and "fatrun" (noun), signifying to cleave, split, slit, rent, or crack.

• This implies a creation, anew, for the first time.

• Different forms of the word, from "faţţara" to "fu-ţi-ra", add nuances of repetition or being imprinted, sealed, or stamped.

• A related Islamic concept, also central to understanding Fitrah, is "Khatama 'alayhi," which relates to the innate constitution and quality of the soul.

• The quality of the soul is either created, or habitual.

• This is also related to the innate disposition of the soul, described by the phrase "ţubi'a alā amr/shay'".

• This translates to being pre-disposed, or created with a certain inclination, from the beginning.

• Further, within Fitrah, the concept is used to represent either flourishing/ prosperity, or less-flourishing/ misfortune, at birth or from the beginning.

• In this sense, "fuţira" is equivalent to innate qualities like "jubila", "ţab'un", "sajjiyah", "jibillah", "khalīqah", "țabī'ah", and "mizāj."

• This means an innate disposition that cannot change and exists at birth in all human beings—therefore, the created nature.

• In essence, Fitrah represents creation that was caused to exist for the first time; innate, inherent nature or quality.

Qur'anic Verses on Fitrah

• The Qur'an (Al-Rum, 30:30) says set your heart on religion through pure faith. In essence, this means to embrace the pristine religion, the one which originates from Allah, the upright religion, as it was created for humanity.
• People are generally unaware of this innate truth, this inherent inclination toward Allah.

Hadith on Fitrah

• A Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (Bukhari) describes that every child is born with a true faith of Islam and his parents convert him to other religions, like Judaism or Christianity. This highlights that a person has an innate disposition toward Islam.
• The implication is that if parents don't guide their children with the Islamic teachings, their children can be diverted from this original disposition toward Islam.

Religious Meaning of Fitrah

• Abu Haytham interprets Fitrah as the disposition a person is born with, either prosperous or unprosperous (in relation to the soul).
• From another perspective, Fitrah signifies being born a Muslim; humans innately understand Allah (God), and thus the religion of truth.

Tawhid and Fitrah

• Tawhid (the oneness of God) is an integral part of Fitrah, inherent in the human soul.

Relationship between Fitrah and Qadar

• Human beings are born with the best possible disposition -pure, knowing their Creator and submissive to God's teachings at that birth.
• At their birth, they develop capabilities like sensory abilities and intellect in the course of life.
• Although negative thoughts or evil exist in the world, virtues and goodness are predominantly present in this creation.

The Concept "Original Sin" versus the Concept of Fitrah

• Islamic teachings differ from how the Christian concept of "original sin" views human creation.
• Islam considers human beings to be created with the disposition of knowing God—the concept of Fitrah .

Christian Perspective of Original Sin

• Christianity believes that humans were created perfectly, but then Adam's disobedience resulted in mankind being in bondage to sin.
• Christians believe that humankind was restored through Christ.
• A central theme for Christians is Christ as the true image of God; his obedience restores humankind, his obedience brings grace in place of guilt.

Islamic Perspective on Tawbah

• Humans are born pure but can make mistakes or commit sins; Tawbah is the redemptive process in Islam for mistakes.
• This includes the guidance and self-reflection from Islam's teachings, specifically the Qur'an and Sunnah (prophetic traditions).
• Tawbah, repentance, is done directly to God without intermediaries.
• A person is not responsible for the sins of others.

Adam's Acknowledgement

• The tradition also notes that Adam acknowledged his mistakes or transgressions and sought God's forgiveness, which was unconditionally granted.

Conclusion

• This chapter discusses the differing views on human nature in Islam and Christianity, and explores the concept of free will as it relates to Qada' and Qadar.
• The overall emphasis is that humans are capable of change in their lives except the time of death.
• People ought to focus on improvement, not perfection, as the ultimate goal.