Recognize your true nature [30:30]

Let us continue our discussion on the creation and nature of the human being. In Sūrah Rūm [30:30], Allah (swt) says:

فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا فِطْرَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ 

[30:30] Then direct your face upright for religion in the right state - in the primordial nature from God upon which He originated mankind; there is no altering of Allah's creation; that is the right religion, but most people do not know

The phrase we will reflect on today is: “the primordial nature from God upon which He originated mankind.”

The word fitrah refers to the innate, primordial nature of the human being. It is “from God” meaning that Allah has created every human being with a natural inclination toward goodness and righteousness. Embedded within our original design — our internal program or hard drive — is an appreciation for truth, kindness, justice, and beauty, even before we are taught.

These inclinations towards righteousness exist regardless of race, nationality, gender, or background. They naturally incline us toward Tawḥīd — toward recognizing and seeking the One — and they can be nurtured through living the teachings of Islam.

Fitrah is the state most in harmony with the will of God. Since He created us and has provided us with guidance towards that which is ultimately good for us so it follows that living in alignment with our fitrah is in harmony with His plan for us. It is also the foundation of spiritual and emotional well-being. When we live in alignment with our fitrah, our mental, emotional, and spiritual needs are met. We flourish.

Islamic psychology posits that fitrah is the foundation of personal and spiritual development. By cultivating it and by returning to our innate nature, we strengthen our connection to God, strengthen our bonds with others, improve our well-being, and live more meaningful lives.

Islam is known as Dīn al-Fitrah - the way of life that aligns with our creational design. The Shariah and the Islamic way of life is designed to provide structure and scaffolding to enable human beings to live in accordance with fitrah. 

The fact that we are created on Fitrah is so small matter. Coupled with the statement of the Quran that He has breathed His spirit into human beings alludes to the immense potential stored within each and every individual. 

Imam Ali (as) reminds us: “You consider yourself insignificant while within you is folded the greater universe” 

This awesome, inspiring fitrah exists in a potential state. Our lived experience tells us that it is not always actualized. The verse in fact ends with the statement: but most people do not know. 

So how DO we actualize this potential? How do we live in alignment with our innate nature, especially in a world which is full of distractions and illusions that pull us toward short-sighted choices that undermine our long-term well-being? How do we manage modern living which actively seeks to pull us away from our inner nature?

Let us start with some simple (though not easy!) practices:

1.     A recognition of cost: The modern way of life has clearly failed most of humanity in many ways. Lack of social justice, violence, power dynamics, capitalistic greed, climate catastrophes, the diminishing of attention and focus, 24/7 stress. These are just a few of the issues with how we are living today. It is not working. 
2.     Intentionality: The verse under discussion begins with a command: “Set your face toward the religion… the fitrah of Allah upon which He created mankind.”

“Set your face” implies intention. A deliberate turning towards. A conscious return to. The return to fitrah is not going to happen automatically. The pulls on the other side is much too strong. It needs a deliberate returning to. Guidance. A plan.

3.     A noticing and recognition of our inner world and how it is responding to the external world: 

•         We feel remorse after wrongdoing
•         Injustice unsettles us
•         Beauty moves us
•         Truth touches us
•         Awe humbles us
•         Compassion feels right; cruelty feels wrong

These are the whisperings of our Fitrah, our original calibration. Just as a compass is designed to point north, the human heart is designed to incline toward truth, justice, mercy, and tawḥīd. No one has to teach us these inclinations. We were born with them. 

4.     Personal reflection and contemplation: For Fitrah to be actualized, it requires reflection — contemplation of our inner nature, what it needs to live in harmony and an honest look at if our actions and way of life are meeting those needs. 

Scholars suggest reflective questioning to realign ourselves with our fitrah (adapted from a post on https://academyofislam.com website):

1.     Why am I doing what I am doing? Am I seeking comfort, peace, ease?
2.     Why do I desire these things? Do I believe they will bring satisfaction and happiness?
3.     What is the evidence? Have I ever found lasting peace in these pursuits? Is there not always some chaos mixed into worldly happiness? When I chase comfort and ease, how enduring is it? Even when I attain what I seek, does it bring sustained well-being?
4.     If not, then where can true peace be found? 
5.     What does Divine wisdom tell me about the nature of the world and seeking peace within it? What brings ultimate peace?  Spoiler alert: Allah has warned us that this world cannot provide enduring peace if we chase it as an end in itself. But if our vision is anchored in the Hereafter, we can experience contentment here and true peace there.