The Puzzling Mind: A Call to Contemplative Inquiry

The Puzzling Mind: A Call to Contemplative Inquiry

by: Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi
Oxford

The natural world and all its phenomena present themselves as intricate puzzles, each requiring contemplation and understanding. To approach these puzzles superficially is to forfeit the opportunity to uncover deeper truths. Instead, one must strive to engage deeply, seeking meaning and uncovering the mysteries of creation.
Imagine a mother with three sons, each responding differently to the meals she lovingly prepares.
• The First Son eats the food without enthusiasm, criticizing its taste and showing no appreciation. He is blind to the sacrifices, love, and compassion that went into its preparation, consumed only by his selfish pursuits and transient pleasures.
• The Second Son marvels at the food, praising its taste and his mother’s skills. He is inspired to compose poetry in her honour, garnering admiration for his eloquence. Yet his engagement remains superficial, confined to words of admiration.
• The Third Son, however, is deeply curious. He observes his mother’s process—how she works tirelessly, shops for ingredients, endures the kitchen’s heat, and carefully balances flavours. As he delves into her labour and sacrifices, he comes to understand the depth of her love, untainted by selfish motives. This realization fills his heart with gratitude and transforms his relationship with her into one of profound love, respect, and devotion.
Most people engage with the world like the first son—indifferent, ungrateful, and preoccupied with material gain. Some resemble the second son, responding with admiration and verbal appreciation, yet failing to probe deeper. Rare are those who emulate the third son, investigating the hidden workings of creation, uncovering its secrets, and connecting these to the ultimate source of all existence.
The natural world is not merely a collection of phenomena; it is a manifestation of divine artistry. To truly understand it requires a mindset of inquiry, where each aspect of creation is regarded as a riddle to be solved. Knowledge of the created world leads to knowledge of the Creator, while neglecting it fosters estrangement from Him.
The act of questioning and exploring transforms ordinary observations into profound discoveries. Consider the example of Isaac Newton, who observed an apple falling from a tree. To him, it was not just an event but a puzzle: Why did the apple fall downward instead of upward? His relentless pursuit of an answer led to the discovery of gravity.
Yet, Newton’s inquiry was limited to the physical. He did not ask deeper existential questions: Who created the apple? What purpose does the earth’s gravity serve? Such questions have been the realm of prophets like Ibrahim (peace be upon him), who viewed the universe as a series of divine signs pointing to the Creator. Their relentless quest for understanding brought them closer to the Divine.
The Qur’an, as the word of God, offers infinite layers of meaning. To engage with it merely as a text for recitation or to marvel at its linguistic beauty is to limit its transformative power. Instead, approach each verse as a profound puzzle, asking questions and seeking answers, no matter how long it takes.
Scholars like Imam Tabari, Al-Zamakhshari, and Ibn Taymiyyah demonstrated this approach, posing questions about each verse and seeking answers through deep analysis. More recently, Mawlana Hamiduddin Farahi and Sayyid Qutb have attempted to uncover the Qur’an’s deeper mysteries. Their works provide valuable insights for those who aspire to engage in meaningful reflection.
Similarly, the study of Sahih al-Bukhari and other hadith collections should go beyond mere veneration of the compiler or the mechanical recitation of texts. Ask why Imam Bukhari included certain narrations and omitted others, how he established the authenticity of narrations, and the methods he used to derive rulings. Such inquiry transforms study from a passive act to an active pursuit of understanding.

Every creation of Allah and every divine command is an invitation to inquiry. To live a meaningful life is to approach the world like the third son—curious, grateful, and deeply engaged. As you solve the puzzles of creation, your heart will fill with gratitude, your knowledge of the Divine will deepen, and you will traverse the stages of divine proximity.
This is the essence of the Qur’anic call to reflect on the “kingdom of the heavens and the earth” (Malakut al-samawat wa al-ard), a journey of discovery shown to Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him). By engaging with creation in this manner, one attains the joy of understanding, liberation from worldly anxieties, and a closer relationship with the Creator.
In this pursuit, adopt the prayer of the seeker: “My Lord, increase me in knowledge” (Rabbi zidni ilma). Let this be the guiding principle of your intellectual and spiritual journey, transforming every observation into an act of worship and every discovery into a step closer to the Divine.