“How does the Quran ‘hold up a mirror’ to us?”

There’s a famous saying which is sometimes assumed to be a hadith, and is also open to be misunderstood: “Whoever knows himself, knows his Lord.” One of the best ways scholars have explained this is to say: knowing about our own weakness and neediness can enlighten us to the contrast between creation and Creator, and make us appreciate the perfection of Allah ﷻ and our dependence upon Him.

“What role does self-awareness play when reflecting upon the Quran?”

What this highlights is the importance of SELF-AWARENESS. The more that I know about myself, the better I can allow the Quranic guidance to find a receptive soul, ready to hold itself to account and move towards betterment. This is one way of understanding the concept of the “self-reproaching soul” (al-nafs al-lawwāmah)” in this ayah of al-Qiyamah:

“The more that I know about myself, the better I can allow the Quranic guidance to find a receptive soul, ready to hold itself to account.” Dr. Sohaib Saeed

“What role do I play in this process?”

The Quran is an edifying discourse, and the Creator knows best how to teach His servant, and what the servant needs. But there is also the role you have to play in your own enlightenment, by paying attention to the message and grasping its relevance and implications FOR YOU.

We rightly criticize someone who completely lacks self-awareness, who hears a message but doesn’t think it applies to him/her (“Who, me?”) and points the finger at others. It is when you are alert to your own realities (including sins and character flaws) that you are humble enough to heed the reminder.

“It is when you are alert to your own realities (including sins and character flaws) that you are humble enough to heed the reminder.” Dr. Sohaib Saeed

“So what does this mean in terms of a Reflection Lens?”

It means that I read the Quran with a view upon my own self, which helps me to realize the meaning and importance of what Allah ﷻ is saying. I feel the urgency of that message, knowing that there may be many other people like me who are in need of that instruction. My understanding of myself is part of understanding human nature in general, and that is crucial to grasping the Quranic message properly.

Let’s come back to the idea of RELEVANCE which came up on Day 7. When we read ayat about the unbelievers, for example, we can either just let those wash over us…or we take a look at ourselves for any trait which we have in common with those people. This latter approach is most useful for those who want to be changed by the Quran.

“We can either just let those wash over us…or we take a look at ourselves for any trait which we have in common with those people.” Dr. Sohaib Saeed

We can relate what I just said to a principle mentioned by Imam Ghazali: “Were all people only to renounce the things they dislike in others, they would not need anyone to discipline them. Jesus (pbuh) was once asked, ‘Who taught you?’ ‘I was taught by no one,’ he replied. ‘I perceived the ignorance of the ignorant man, and avoided it.’”

In like manner, we can find the lesson for ourselves in every statement of the Quran, and a key part of developing this skill (for that is what it is!) is to get to know ourselves as comprehensively as we can.