UNIVERSAL MESSAGE FOR GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

UNIVERSAL MESSAGE FOR GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP The Quran A STUDY of the Quran shows that the Quranic teachings are based on realistic approach. When we use the term “realistic approach” to describe a way of thinking, it always means, thinking that is in accordance with reality. One with such a bent of mind will be scientific in all his dealings in the world. His thinking will be totally in accordance with external realities. According to traditions, the Prophet of Islam used to pray: “O God, show us the truth in the form of truth and grant us the wisdom to follow it, and show us falsehood as falsehood and grant us the strength to keep ourselves away from it. Show us things as they are.” This prayer of the Prophet of Islam is a fine example of the scientific approach. The Quran wants to inculcate this spirit in every believer. When a believer becomes eager to be granted this spirit to guide his thoughts, he begins praying for it. On a number of occasions we find this teaching expressed in different ways in the Quran. The Quran enjoins believers to ‘fear God and speak the truth. He will bless your works and forgive you your sins’. He who obeys God and His apostle shall win a greater victory. (33: 70-71) This Quranic verse commands mankind to say what is fair. The words ‘qaul-e-sadeed’ means saying the truth in accordance with the facts. Just as the arrow reaches its target by being shot in precisely the right direction, similarly qaul-e-sadeed hits the mark by making one’s words correspond in every detail with reality. There are two kinds of human utterances: realistic and un-realistic. Realistic utterances are those that tally exactly with reality. Conversely, un-realistic utterances are those that do not take the actual state of affairs into account and are based on suppositions, conjectures, or mere opinion, rather than on fact. God approves of only the former types of utterances. The Quran is not a book of science in the technical sense, but there is no denying the truth that the Quranic approach is nothing other than a scientific approach.