What is the contemplation in islam? What is the tafakkur in islam? What does tafakkur means?
Because the purpose of the creation of people is «To worship Allah Almighty, in other words to serve Him». However, worship can be acceptable only when it is done out of true faith. The true belief requires «knowledge of Allah (ma’rifatullah)» that is to know Allah Almighty in one’s heart. As to knowing Allah Almighty, who is transcendent, beyond and outside the ordinary range of human experience or understanding, and who is free from resembling the creation, can only be possible by reading the verses of the Qur’an and reading the divine manifestations inherent in the universe by heart.
This reading can only be fulfilled by contemplating with a mind disciplined by the divine revelation and by the perception of a heart purified from the negative states and characteristics.
Such contemplation is the key for the belief. The verse following the command “Read!” reminds the human, his nature and his creation:
“Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood (a germ-cell)” (al-Alaq, 96: 2)
Many other verses invite man to contemplate his own nature:
“Now let man but think from what he is created!” (al-Tariq, 86: 5)
- O man, why did you come to and will leave this world? Where are you going?
- O man, think deeply, and read all the verbal and nonverbal divine verses embedded in the universe, the Qur’an and yourself by contemplating them well.
Who created man out of worthless water? Who has given him the most beautiful form? Who bestows upon him so many favors and lets him live?
“O man! What has seduced thee from thy Lord Most Beneficent? Him Who created thee, fashioned thee in due proportion, and gave thee a just bias; in whatever form He wills, does He put thee together.” (al-Infitar, 82: 6-8)
What a great heedlessness and tactlessness is that man does not contemplate his Creator and his own creation while he feels the need to thank even to a person who gives him a glass of water.
The following statement of Ismail Hakkı Bursevi is so meaningful:
Glory be to Allah Almighty who has;
“Made the ear, which is a peace of bone, hear; Made the eye ball, which is made from oil, see; Made the tongue, which is a piece of meat, speak;
Furnished the plants with fruits and grains, the animals with meat and fat, the earth with trees and rivers, the sky with stars and their light;
Assigned the night for man’s resting;
Who bestows out of His innumerable blessings as much as He wishes during the day time.
All sciences are merely the identification of the laws and principles established by Allah Almighty in this universe. Whereas true scholarship is not to remain in the surface but rather to pass the stages of the heart and to recognize the Mighty Power who established those laws and principles, and thus to be able to move to the divine secrets and wisdom.
Even though you cannot worship Him duly, He values you and bestows His innumerable material and spiritual favors upon you as if He had no other servant than you.
Despite all these favors, you are careless as if there were another (shelter, sanctuary and backing) other than Him. (What a terrible ignorance and heedlessness it is!) (See Rûhu’l-Beyân Kur’an Me’ali ve Tefsiri, v. 1, p. 94-95, Erkam Publications)
The following verses of chapter al-Alaq draw attention to Allah’s blessings bestowed upon man:
“Read! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful, He Who taught (the use of) the pen, Taught man that which he knew not.” (al-Alaq, 96: 3-5)
From among the whole creation, Allah Almighty granted only to man the elegant hands which are suitable to hold pen and carry out delicate works, a brain with the ability to develop instruments and means of knowledge and contemplation such as pen and so on.
Allah Almighty says:
“He (Allah Most Gracious) has taught him (man) speech (and intelligence).” (al-Rahman, 55: 4)
Source: The Universe, The Qur’an And The Human, Osman Nuri Topbaş, Erkam Publications