Unveiling the Divine Truth: Exploring the Essence of Reality in Islam

3 min readFeb 21, 2024

Tags: Islam, Reality, Divine Truth, Permanence, Transcendence, Quran, Hadith, Self-Reflection, Spiritual Development, Inner Purity, Sufism, Islamic Philosophy

In Islamic thought, reality holds an essence deeply rooted in permanence and transcendence — a reflection of the eternal and omnipresent nature of Allah as revealed in the Qur’an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

We delve into the essence of reality in Islam through verses and hadiths that highlight its significance, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection, spiritual development, and inner purity in the quest to unveil the divine truth.

Permanence and Transcendence in Islamic Philosophy:

The Qur’an presents Allah as “the First and the Last, the Evident and the Immanent” (57:3), encapsulating the dual nature of His eternal reality.

This duality serves as the cornerstone of Islamic philosophy, where the physical world is perceived as a reflection of the spiritual, with the latter deemed more enduring and transcendent.

The principle of permanence and transcendence is deeply ingrained in the Islamic worldview, shaping how Muslims perceive reality as a manifestation of divine truth (al-Haqq).

Quranic Verses:

- “He is the First and the Last, the Evident and the Immanent, and He is, of all things, Knowing.” (Qur’an 57:3)
- “The first and the last are only the Knowledge of Allah, and the present is only the preservation of Allah. That is Allah, your Lord; besides Him, you have no protector or helper.” (Qur’an 57:4)

Self-Reflection and Spiritual Growth:

In Islam, self-knowledge and introspection are paramount to spiritual growth and enlightenment.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) urged his followers to seek understanding of their true selves before facing death, recognizing the importance of inner purity and self-awareness in the journey towards spiritual fulfillment.

The hadith emphasizing Allah’s focus on the purity of hearts and deeds over external appearances underscores the essence of inner transformation and spiritual development in Islam.

In Hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammed, peace be upon him):

- “Indeed, Allah is not looking at your faces or your wealth but He is looking at your hearts and actions.” (Sahih Muslim)
- “Knowledge is not acquired by sitting and taking, but by virtue of the heart and the mind.” (Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him))

Examples:

- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said, “He who knows himself knows his Lord.”

This statement highlights the importance of self-reflection and introspection in understanding the divine truth.

- The Sufi poet Rumi once wrote, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” This quote emphasizes the significance of self-awareness in the journey towards spiritual fulfillment.

In the end, the Islamic perspective on reality is deeply rooted in the eternal and transcendent nature of Allah, as reflected in the Qur’anic verses and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The quest to find one’s true self in Islam involves self-reflection, introspection, and spiritual development, culminating in a deeper connection with the divine truth.

By striving for inner purity and aligning oneself with the eternal reality of Allah, Muslims embark on a transformative journey that transcends the physical realm and unveils the profound essence of reality in the light of Islamic wisdom.