The Religion of Nature

The Religion of Nature flowers it encounters thorns. But when the bee takes nectar from the flowers, it always ignores the thorns. The same conduct is required of man. Man must be positive in his behaviour; it is not permissible for him to behave in a negative way. Animals are provided with horns, but no animal uses its horns for aggression. Its horns are used only in self-defence. The same principle has to be observed by man. Man has been endowed with many powers, which he may use for his own benefit, but he must refrain from using them against his fellowmen. This is true of all things in nature, where everything serves as a model. Nature’s behaviour being always impeccable, it shows man the right path. Therefore, man should always follow nature’s perfect models. The religion of the universe is based on submission. Submission to God is the only religion for both man and the universe. These natural models do not speak: they never announce that they are models for man. So it is the duty of man to study nature and discover the models hidden in its conduct. He should then apply what he learns from these models to the affairs of his daily life. In principle, all the kinds of behaviour required of man have been set forth in the Quran, and the whole of nature has been created in such a way that it serves as a role model for mankind. The models in nature are first and foremost of a mechanical kind. Because it is compulsory for them to behave with total propriety, they do not merit any reward for their behaviour. But man is free. If he behaves in any particular way, whether it be right or wrong, it is by his own choice. So for good behaviour, man will be amply rewarded. Man being the special creation of God Almighty, he will be