Islamization of Knowledge on
Romanticism Theme: Appreciation of Nature
Islam attaches a great importance on knowledge and education. When
the Quran first revealed, the first word of its earlier verse was 'Iqra' that
is, 'read'. Allah said;
"Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that
exists). He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood).
Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by the
pen. He has taught man that which he knew not"
Other than to uphold the oneness of Allah, Islam encourages humankind to seek
and increase their knowledge, and it disparages and warns against being
ignorant. In the Qur’an Allah said:
“Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe and those who have been
granted knowledge” (58:11)
Islam also regards striving to seek, learn, and teach knowledge as a means
which can lead to Jannah (paradise). This is based on a Hadith by
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W);
"Whoever seeks a path in search of knowledge, Allah would make easy for
him a path leading to Jannah (paradise)." (Abu Dawud)
Islam and
Appreciation of Nature
There are many themes used in literature in Romantic period such
as neo-classicism, supernatural, strange and far-away place. But, the theme
that we are going to discuss is love of nature or appreciation of nature.
By appreciating the nature, a Muslim can reflect the greatness of Allah in
creating this wonderful world and can gain rewards by remembering Him. For
example, one can reflect the beauty of nature when reciting poem from William
Wordsworth entitled Lines Compose a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey, On
Revisiting the Banks of Wye During a Tour. July 13, 1798.
This long poem begins with the speaker’s declaration that five years have
passed since he last visited this location, encountered its tranquil, rustic
scenery, and heard the murmuring waters of the river. He recites the objects he
sees again, and describes their effect upon him: the “steep and lofty cliffs”
impress upon him “thoughts of more deep seclusion”; he leans against the dark
sycamore tree and looks at the cottage-grounds and the orchard trees, whose
fruit is still unripe. He sees the “wreaths of smoke” rising up from cottage
chimneys between the trees, and imagines that they might rise from “vagrant
dwellers in the houseless woods,” or from the cave of a hermit in the deep
forest.
One can imagine the beautiful scenery which was described in the poem and feel
His existence. This realization will make one’s mind to ponder deeper about His
miracles and greatness. Later the person will gain full confidence on Him and
increase his faith toward Islam.
All these beautiful descriptions of nature can provoke reader’s mind on how
nature was created with a purpose to provide comfort and tranquility to one’s
heart and mind. This wonderful description of nature was also being described
in Surah Al-Fatir, 27-28;
“Hast thou
not seen that Allah causeth water to fall from the sky, and We produce
therewith fruit of divers hues; and among the mountains there are
streaks of various shades of red and white, and jet-black rocks. And men,
beasts and cattle have different colours, too. From among his servants, it is
the learned that fear God alone. Lo! Allah is Mighty,Forgiving.”
As seeking
knowledge is not only on physical and material in nature, but also
intellectual, moral and metaphysical in its significance which that humanity
would be brought to recognize, acknowledge and glorify their Creator. It is to
fully realize the transcendent meaning of their phenomenal life on earth.
One of the ways of seeking knowledge is through observing the nature. In the
Quran, Allah has described many of His great signs in nature which should be
recognized and appreciated by human being;
"Verily in the heavens and the earth are signs for those who
believe. And in the creation of yourselves, and the fact that animals are
scattered (through the earth), are signs for those of assured faith. And in the
alternation of night and day, and that fact that Allah sends down sustenance
from the sky, and revives therewith the earth after its death, and in the
change of the winds, are signs for those who are wise" (45:3-5).
Allah has mentioned
that people who believe in Him, with strong faith and knowledgeable can find
His great signs surround the world. All His creation in this world is a free
gift for human being as they benefit and contribute greatly to our lives. Allah
provides sustenance such as fruits, cattle and place to live. He also supply us
with a never ending essential needs such as oxygen to breath, rain as a source
of clean water and many more. We only can see His bountiful gifts if We ponder
and appreciate the nature.
Allah has shown His hatred for
those whose being ungrateful and destroys the world which He has bestowed upon
us. In a verse in the Quran, He has warned;
“But seek, through that which
Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do notforget your
share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not
corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters." (28:77)
In this verse, Allah reminds us to take care of this world and to
do goodness with it. He wanted us to appreciate His gifts and contemplate upon
them. From the last sentence in the verse is a warning for wrong doers who do
corruptions and harm this beautiful land. The destruction mention by Allah may
include pollutions, extreme development which destroys forests, killing
innocent wild life and so on. This verse has really highlighted His concern on
the nature and on how human beings treated and appreciated it.
Therefore, behind
all His great and beautiful creations, there lie many signs of His existence
and power for those who think. It was our duty to search all the signs and
understand the meaning of this life as to please our Creator and gain rewards
from Him.