(Tareeq al-Iman)
Man revives (yanhaDu) according to what he carries of thought (fikr) about man, life
and the universe, and about their relationship, as a whole, with what preceded this life
and what comes after it. Hence, in order for man to revive (yanhaD), it is necessary to
radically and comprehensively change his current thought (fikr) and generate another
thought (fikr) for him. This is because it is the thought (fikr) that generates the
concepts about things and consolidates them. Man shapes his behaviour (sulook) in
this life according to his concepts (mafaaheem) about it. So, man's concepts (mafaaheem)
about a person he likes shapes his behaviour (sulook) towards him. This is in contrast
with his behaviour towards a person he dislikes and holds concepts of hatred. Also he
will exhibit different behaviour (sulook) towards a person he does not know or holds
any concepts (mafaaheem) about. So, human behaviour (sulook) is linked to man's
concepts (mafaaheem) and when we wish to change the behaviour (sulook) of the
declined man and make it refined, it is imperative to change his concepts (mafaaheem)
first. Allah says:
"Allah does not change the circumstances of any people until they have changed what is within
themselves." [Ar-Ra’d: 11]
The only way to change man's concepts (mafaaheem) is by generating thought (fikr)
about this life in order to set up the correct concepts (mafaaheem) about it. Thought
about this life will not be productively consolidated unless the thought about man, life
and the universe and about what preceded this life as well as what comes after this life,
and its relationship with what is before and after it, is generated. This can be achieved
by giving the comprehensive idea (al-fikrah al kulliyah) about man, life and the
universe, because it is the intellectual basis (al-qa 'idah al-fikriyyah) upon which all ideas
about this life are built. Giving this comprehensive thought (fikrah) about these
matters is the solution to man's greatest problem. Once this problem is solved all
other problems are solved, because they are either partial compared to the main
problem or branch from it. This solution wouldn't lead to the correct revival (nahDah),
unless it is a true solution which is compatible with man's innate nature (fitrah) and
convinces the mind and thus fills the heart with tranquillity.
The true solution cannot be reached except through the enlightened thought (al-fikr
ul-mustaneer) about the universe, man and life. Consequently, those who yearn for
revival (nahDah) and pursue the path of elevation (ruqiy), must first solve this problem
in a correct manner by utilising enlightened thought (fikr). This solution is none other
than the ‘aqeedah which serves as the intellectual basis (al-qa 'idah al-fikriyyah) upon
which every detailed thought about man's behaviour and the systems ofthis life are
built.
Islam addressed the greatest problem and solved it in a manner that agrees with man's
nature (fitrah), convinces his mind, and fills his heart with tranquillity. Islam made the
