Discovering God

to light, new aspects hitherto unexplored of different events and realities are discovered. For one who possesses true faith, every study and observation will become a means of divine discovery; every experience will bring him closer to God. If initially, his faith is in the form of a seed, it will keep growing and assume the form of a fully-grown tree—tazkiya is the Islamic name for this intellectual and spiritual process. Faith initially brings us into the fold of Islam, then tazkiya helps in the development of this faith. Tazkiya and Knowledge According to one point of view regarding the method of tazkiya, the company of a Sufi who has attained the state of realization is a must, because just one glance from such a person is considered enough to bring about a change in the human psyche. But this point of view cannot be substantiated by either the Quran or the Hadith. According to the Quran and the Hadith, tazkiya can be attained only by one’s own reflection and introspection. If one has developed right thinking, by studying the relevant books and by observation of nature, one will derive lessons which will help one in purifying one’s personality. Chapter 35 of the Quran mentions mountains in which there are streaks of various shades. Then the verse goes