🏵️🏵️🏵️ Dear Prudence,
I read your article "Is Consciousness Natural?" with great interest and appreciated your philosophical inquiry into the nature of consciousness. As an Islamic scholar, I'd like to offer a response from the perspective of Islamic thought.
In Islam, consciousness is not seen as a solely natural phenomenon, but rather as a gift from Allah (God) to humanity. The Quran states, "When thy Lord did take from the Children of Adam, from their loins, the seeds of their posterity, and made them testify concerning themselves: 'Shall I choose my own gods besides Allah?' (Quran 7:172)". This verse highlights the uniqueness of human consciousness and its connection to the divine.
In Islamic thought, consciousness is seen as a faculty that allows humans to recognize and respond to their Creator. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "The first thing that Allah created was the Pen. He said to it, 'Write!' And it wrote until it wrote: 'My mercy precedes My wrath.'" (Bukhari). This hadith emphasizes the role of consciousness in recognizing the divine mercy and compassion.
Furthermore, Islamic teachings emphasize the importance of moral consciousness, encouraging individuals to develop a sense of responsibility towards themselves and others. The Quran states, "O ye who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared" (Quran 3:102). This verse highlights the importance of cultivating a sense of awe and reverence for the divine.
In conclusion, while consciousness may be a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, from an Islamic perspective, it is understood as a gift from Allah that allows humans to recognize and respond to their Creator. It is through this consciousness that we can cultivate moral values and strive for spiritual growth.
May this response shed some light on the Islamic perspective on consciousness. I would encourage you to explore this topic further in your next article.
May we all strive to cultivate our consciousness and recognize our connection to the divine.
Sincerely,
Mohamed, Ph.D