Verses on Thinking
- Those who remember God, standing, sitting, and on their sides, and reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth: 'Our Lord, You have not created this for vanity. Glory be to You! Guard us against the chastisement of the Fire.' (3:191)
This verse praises those who constantly reflect upon God's creation. Proponents of taqlid may argue that this verse is limited to beliefs and what they call the faith fundamentals, since it speaks of reflecting on the creation of the heavens and the earth. But this is not the case. Looking at the following verses, those same people make supplications beginning with "Our Lord," and then in verse 195 God responds: "And their Lord answers them: 'I waste not the labor of any that labors among you, male or female...'" — showing that their reflection ultimately leads to action, and God promises to reward their deeds, not merely their thoughts.
- Say: 'I do not say to you, "I possess the treasuries of God"; and I know not the Unseen; and I do not say to you, "I am an angel." I only follow what is revealed to me.' Say: 'Are the blind and the seeing man equal? Will you not reflect?' (6:50)
- Recite to them the tidings of him to whom We gave Our signs, but he cast them off, and Satan followed after him, and he became one of the perverse. (7:175) And had We willed, We would have raised him up thereby; but he inclined to the earth and followed his lust. So his likeness is as the likeness of a dog: if you attack him, he lolls his tongue out, or if you leave him, he lolls his tongue out. That is the likeness of the people who cry lies to Our signs. So recount the tales; perhaps they will reflect. (176)
In the meaning of the word "fansalakha" (he cast them off), translators have rendered it as "he divested himself," "he went out," "he stripped himself," etc. But beyond the linguistic point, this verse commands the Prophet to recount stories so that people may reflect — another call to thinking for all people, not just scholars.
Parent page: Qur'anic Verses Praising Tafaqquh and Thought
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