Islam and the Problems of Contemporary Man

adheres to. The forcible subjugation of the universe to the will of God means that man has a model on which to base his life. He also has access to the word of God, which enables him to interpret the message of the universe in a realistic and practical manner. If however, he chooses to follow his desires and forsakes the divinelyinspired pattern which the rest of the universe follows absolutely, then he can expect only a world torn by strife and trouble followed by an eternity of despair and remorse. MAN AND NATURE Science is really just an implementation of the laws of nature. Just as science bends matter to the ends of civilization, so religion provides the means of converting human life into an ideal human society. In this respect one can rightly say that religion, by which we mean Islam, is the science of life. For the rest of the material world this science functions according to the immutable laws of nature, while man adopts this law of nature by his own choice. There is a branch of science called ‘bionics’ which seeks to understand how nature functions and produces nature’s pattern in mechanical form. It is an important subject in that it reflects the ability of science to copy nature: boats are a copy of fish; aeroplanes of birds, cameras are a mechanical reproduction of the function of the eye; computers are an imitation of human brain, and so on. We use the models provided by nature in our mechanical world with great success. The message of Islam is that the same model of nature should be applied to our own lives and society. The science of the universe which shows us how we should construct the individual as well as the society. In fact, all the necessary models for the organization of human life are available in the universe. But man has been allowed to run loose in this world if he wants. He is not forced to apply the message of nature to his life. He is being tested as to whether he uses his freedom to good or bad ends. The models which nature provides us with, are symbolic. Man must see them in the light of divine revelation if he is to interpret them as they should be interpreted. This in itself is a great challenge to man. He must look at the world around him in its real light. He must show that he can hear the silent message of the Creator of the universe, and can put the hints of nature into words. If he understands this model of nature correctly, then he can implement it in his life. Man has to do voluntarily what other things do involuntarily.