Word 57: Anyone who looks deeply at the human form in relation to the universe will see that if there were no human form, there would be no outpouring of intellect, no gaining of knowledge by the soul, and no religious laws to guide us.

Word 57: Anyone who looks deeply at the human form in relation to the universe will see that if there were no human form, there would be no outpouring of intellect, no gaining of knowledge by the soul, and no religious laws to guide us.

We’ve discussed how the word “form” has different meanings. Here, it refers to the true essence of humanity. If the essence of humanity didn’t exist in the universe, then we wouldn’t have the outpouring of intellect that comes from divine revelation, inspirations, and spiritual insights. None of these emanations from the divine would exist.

Similarly, there would be no gaining of knowledge by the soul and no religious laws. What is religious law? Religious law is a collection of what is good and bad. Religious law tells us: “This action is bad, this action is good; you shouldn’t do this, you should do that.” Religious law is the sum of these things. Goodness and badness only appear in the world when there is religious law.

For example, does adultery have the same meaning for animals as it does for humans? No, because there’s no religious law for them in the same way there is for humans. Does killing have the same meaning for them? Don’t lions tear apart and eat other animals? Don’t wolves and wild animals do this? Is it considered a sin for them? No, because they don’t have religious law; they don’t have our religious law. All these concepts of good and bad only become evident when religious law is involved.

When does religious law come into play? When humans come into existence. Suppose we think of this world as having levels, like the levels within a human being. A human has a body, imagination, and intellect: “nature, imagination, and intellect.” The nature of the world is the material world itself; it matches human nature. Animals possess the power of imagination, implying that this power is present in the world and is also comparable to human imagination. But when does the intellect of this world truly come into being? It occurs when humans are involved. If humans were not in this world, intellect would not exist; it would have no manifestation or expression.

All these outpourings of intellect, gains of knowledge by the soul, and religious laws exist because of human beings. Otherwise, all these discussions would be pointless. All of these exist because of this noble being (humanity) born from the womb of this Earthly mother. Indeed, the creation of the universe was for this very purpose. Therefore, in one interpretation, the universe was created for humanity.

Humanity is the intellect of this world. Of course, when we say “human,” we mean the perfect human, as we’ve said many times. Otherwise, unruly and violent people are just animals—intelligent animals. Some documentaries on biology, such as “Secrets of Survival,” feature animals that use tools. They use tools to find food and survive. There’s an eagle that picks up a stone and drops it to break an egg. It’s using a tool. A monkey picks up a stick and uses it to pull a plant towards itself. Well, humans have become a bit more advanced than monkeys; they use more tools. But that doesn’t make them the “most noble of creations.” The “most noble of creations” is that which is connected to the spiritual realm, possessing an intellectual receiver.

Now, carefully consider and think about your relationship to this world, your relationship to the Almighty God, and the relationship of God’s angels to the Almighty God. Think about: “What is the relationship of your soul to God’s angels? Are angels something separate from my soul? Are they connected to my soul? Are they inside my soul? Are they outside my soul? What is their nature?” Spend some time pondering these questions.

Muhammad Mahdi Me’marian

All praise is to God to the extent that He deserves it.