The inherent qualities with which Allah has created each creature are its nature. In human beings, the manifestation of these qualities appears as natural instincts, emotions, feelings, and intuitive knowledge. The most significant motivator for these qualities is the awareness of beauty and ugliness within human beings, both outwardly and inwardly. Once awakened, this awareness begins to judge both things and actions. The Creator instilled this judgment in human beings at birth. Thus, it is part of what we call intuitive knowledge. The capacity for speech and expression subsequently provides words to express this judgment. This innate understanding primarily judges three things concerning the human self:
1. The beauty of the body, resulting in an awareness of the distinction between purity and impurity. 2. The beauty of food and drink, leading to an awareness of the distinction between what is wholesome (pure) and what is unwholesome (impure). 3. The beauty of intention, will, and actions, resulting in an awareness of the distinction between right (good) and wrong (evil).
Human beings are captivated by beauty, and the ultimate manifestation of all these aspects of beauty lies in the paradisiacal abode. Thus, paradise is also humanity’s ultimate goal, and humans are created with extraordinary emotions of love for it and a strong desire to attain it.
Consequently, the objective of all human endeavors in this world is often to transform it, in some form, into a personal paradise. People live for this purpose, die for it, shape leaders as idols, worship them, offer sacrifices for the realization of their visions, and wait, sometimes for mythic saviors and sometimes for the promises of science. Moreover, they develop philosophies to justify this endeavor.
The prophets of Allah are sent to warn humankind against this worldly attachment and to unveil the veils of ignorance so they can glimpse the beauty of paradise to some extent in this life. True religion is the embodiment of this beauty and invites humans to attain it at its highest level. Before entering paradise, to harmonize with its environment, religion instructs people to adopt three fundamental practices:
1. Purification of the Body 2. Purification of Food and Drink 3. Purification of Relationships and Conduct—with both the Creator and creation, which can be briefly described as moral purification.
Allah has said:
“God does not wish to burden you; He certainly seeks to purify you. [Thus He makes it mandatory on you to do wuḍū and take the ceremonial bath] and wants to perfect His favor upon you. [Thus in compelling circumstances allows you to do dry ablution] so that you are grateful to Him.” (Al-Ma’idah 5:6)
Similarly, He has stated: “[for those who [today]] will follow this messenger, this unlettered prophet whose mention they see written in the Torah and the Gospel. He directs them to do good, forbids them from evil, regards pure things as lawful to them and impure things as unlawful to them and lifts their burdens and undoes the shackles which have remained with them until now.” (Al-A’raf 7:157)
The law and wisdom that Allah has revealed as the true religion through His prophets are essentially the details and requirements of these three aspects (purification of the body, food, and conduct). This is why we refer to it as the “Religion of Nature.” Allah says:
“So, [now that these facts have become evident,] following one God continue to point your face [like your father Abraham] towards his religion. Follow the nature created by God [O Prophet!] on which He has created people. This nature created by God cannot be changed. This only is the straight path but most people know not.” (Ar-Rum 30:30)