About this course

In this open course, we will be on a journey to explore the Islamic perspective of the human being. We begin our exploration with an intensive analysis of the human nature and the human constituents. We will then sketch the features of the Islamic approach to these constituents. After that, we will shift to the purposes of human creation as expounded in the holy Quran. The explorative journey will end with a discussion of the effect of deep reflection on the human being and the association between the purposes of human creation and civilisation.

To set out on this journey, we will first define the place of the human being in civilisation. During his lifetime, the human being interacts with the world around him through the catalyst of culture to bring in an achievement useful for the human civilisation. The human being is the most significant component in this equation. Just like how necessary it is to understand the nature of all the components in a chemical equation and how to mix them properly during an experiment, the same idea is applicable to balancing the civilisationequation. Otherwise, a satisfactory result will not be reached, and catastrophic consequences might follow. Considering the human being as the most significant of all the components of the civilisation equation, it is vital to know the nature and characteristics of the human being to ensure reaching the target acts of civilisation. Otherwise, the outcome of this experiment might be corruption and misery rather than reformation and happiness. From the Islamic perspective, deep reflection on the nature of the human being requires seeking guidance from Allah’s revelation. Just like how a maker (manufacturer) knows every detail about his product, the Creator knows his creatures best. The Glorious Allah said in the holy Quran “Should He not know what He created? And He is the Subtile, the Aware.” (Al Mulk-The Sovereignty sūrah, 67:14.)