Conceiving the Nature of Things: A Muslim Perspective

Abstract

This article first aims to explain how God’s knowledge and power are revealed in the created things. It argues that since divine knowledge is infinite, the manifestation of this knowledge into existence, infinite discovery, and production in existence is possible. Indeed, limiting the manifestation of divine knowledge in existence to only one interpretation or discovery can reduce the potential for things to exist. Secondly, it attempts to prove that things are not ontologically evil, but good. Here, the attempt is based on the issue of general and specific experiences, and on the fact that reason always has the ability to overcome evil. Again, it was emphasized that the relationality of evil and the victimization and sufferings caused by the emergence of bad situations due to the conditions of time and space can be alleviated by the “belief in the hereafter” in the Islamic faith. Thirdly, it aims to briefly interpret general opinions on the nature of things in Islamic tradition. This issue is tried to be revealed with an example from history, and how those who say “things don’t have fixed and enduring nature” cause tragic consequences. The ideas that things have a fixed and permanent nature and that even seemingly extraordinary (miraculous) events can be explained within this nature are included. Finally, understanding providence is based on knowing and explaining causality in existence. The compatibility of this view with the principles of the Islamic faith is the underlying theme recurring throughout the article.