94TH EDITION OF VOICE THE MIMBARR: ISLAMIC VIEWS OF HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT- BY DR RAZAQ BOLAWAYE

15-04-1446 AH/18-10-2024 CE

Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim...

The entity called man is a composite of body and soul (50/50) and they are as inseparable as inter-dependent. Both components need each other in terms of nurishment and ultimate survival for the paramount purpose of life of achievements engrained in worship of Allah (SWT). They offer two-sides of a coin in an inseparable manner and value.

While body is taken from dust, it is indicative to its earthen disposition and nefarious outlook. It tilts towards the background as it eventually recline back to it no matter the longevity of dwelling and achievements. Contrarily, soul serves the most priced jewel in human being as it harbingers the house which accommodate it and it is susceptible to success or otherwise of the body. Its desirability for sustainability or vulnerability implants on the body with its activities across life and beyond.

Soul in the realm of Psycho-analysis, is divided into three main components. Though interchangeably used, each component realizes distinct definition and chemicalized functionality. Ruh strikes in the beginning of the components as it predates the existence of man (from the womb). This is refered to in Qur'an 17:82 as "...from none but Allah...).Nafs is intermediate and it dwells in man as a bodily catalyst that reacts to issues either proactive or reactive to attract outward disposition. To this end, it is often said, 'the kind of audacity, efrontery and gut he has afford him... ". The last component offers servitude for the earlier mentioned components in a way to harvest through its tentacles, proceeds that be-cloud same if not given timely check. 

The statement credited to Ibn 'Abbas (R.A), suffices here which postulates: 'La tufassiru l Qur'an; wa z Zamanu yufassiruhu lakum', meaning: 'Your attempt to interprete noble Qur'an can only bring new meaning referencial to period of time'. This ascertion offers a similitude of 'Qalb' in this context to the battery component of a Solar Inverter Power Generator. Desirable energy can be produced with the combination of panel, charger and battery and not with only any of them. Their inter-dependence offers reliability though, the battery restore power even though not independent of other components. More important to the battery are tentacles useful to gather power, such as cable, panel and charger. 'Qalb' in human psychology remains a solo house of ideas useful for human development and otherwise. 

The above analogy nonetheless, soul can be divided into three main categories in terms of typology. 'Qalb Salim', safe soul', 'Qalb Mayyit' and 'Qalb Marid'. These are Safe mind, Dead Mind and Ailing Mind. Safe mind is pure, stainless and undiluted mind. Its nomenclature is that of moving away from caprice, disbelief, hypocrisy and obstinacy. He garners goodness, obedience and forward-looking by craving, denying and giving for Allah's sake. 

On the contrary, dead soul runs sharp otherwise the above attributes. The third category of human mind is the ailing. His belief in Allah does not disallow him from harbouring human sickness such as unbridled lust, jealous, arrogance, hypocrisy, pomp, austentation and wickedness. This is against Allah's injunction in Qur'an 79:40-41 saying: 'And for such as had entertained the fear of standing before their Lord's (tribunal) and had restrained (their) soul from lower Desires. Their Abode will be their Garden.' This is self-explanatory.

However, Allah recommends swift control for diseases of soul which are of two categories. These are non- impactful and impactful types of disease. While non-impactful appears like ambiguity, doubt and ignorance, impactful diseases are with symptoms like anxiety, grief, jealous, sadness and un-explanable dis-satisfaction (Paranoid).

The main cure according to Allah in Qur'an 10: 57 reflects: 'O mankind! there has come to you an admonition from your Lord and the healing for the (disease) in your hearts, - and for those who believe, a Guidance and a Mercy.' From this Qur'an provision, three incontrovertible things are evident as solutions to diseases of the heart. These are Iman Sadiq, 'Amalu Salih and Awradu Ta'ah i.e impeccable faith in Allah, undiluted deeds and complete obedience. 

The above must be accompanied with Tawbah, Istighfar and 

Muhasabah i.e complete withdrawal from sinful ways, continual seeking for forgiveness and self evaluation. For the safe upkeep of soul, precautions must be sought on two main forms namely; before venturing into an endeavour and after undertaking an endeavour. Before an endeavour, questions to address mond to include but not limited to: Hope I am not being manipulated by caprice? Is taking such endeavour approved for me? Is it far from being nefarious? Or is it purported to attract the pleasure of Allah? 

On the other side, a recourse to the following is required for safe-keep of soul. These are: Guaging the sincerity of taking an endeavour, the extent of its alliance with purview of faith, attending to and following the footstep of goodness and genuine people.' These recommended therapies are as effective as instrumental for the safe-keep of soul and its prevention from straying away from the vineyard of the blessed servants of Allah. 

To this extent, Allah me (SWT) gives propositional and instance order to serve as general principles for human capital development necessary for overall success. These are contained in Qur'an 28:77 and it reads: "But seek, with the (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you, the Home of the Hereafter, nor forget your portion in this portion in this world; but do you good, as Allah has been good to you, and seek not (occasions for) mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do mischief". It behoves of a Believer to stay soul-free of human and un-natural abysmal capable of causing downfall and eventual displeasure.

Drawing curtains on this edition, we leave you with ultimate mercy and care of Allah till we meet next week, In Sha'a Allah. Till then, thanks for reading and Ma'as Salaamah.

DR RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN, 

Imam Ansar-Ud-Deen Society Ipaja Branch Lagos State.

- Nigeria