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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Theological Instructions LESSON TWO: INQUIRING INTO RELIGION The drive to investigate It is within the intrinsic nature (fitrah) of man to seek and be aware of Reality. Man is born with this quality, which remains with him until his death.

Sometimes this instinct for seeking the truth may be referred to as a ‘sense of curiosity’, whereby man is driven to ponder upon religious issues and it is this very action, which helps him to understand and realise a true religion. In the process of this realisation he is faced with the following Questions: Is there an imperceptible and immaterial being? If there is, is there a link between this immaterial being and our material world?

In the presence of this relationship, is there a Reality, which created the universe? Is the existence of man limited to this material form/world? If man is not limited to this material/worldly life, is there another world, and if there is what is the relationship between these two worlds? Furthermore man requires knowledge concerning the best method by which he can live a righteous and fulfilled life, which will guarantee him felicity in this world and also in the next.

The primary attribute man requires in seeking reality is thus his intrinsic nature. Man’s desires are another factor that may encourage and consolidate him into seeking the truth. Such desires may not necessarily be of divine origin but may be desires that wish to accomplish worldly or materialistic bounties. This is dependant upon his struggle within the fields of knowledge and upon the advancement of experimental sciences.

If religion can provide man with the means to achieve worldly goals without loss, this will inspire him to further investigate religion, because it is within man’s nature to move towards success and further him from failure. With the understanding of the realm of realities being vast, difficult and out of reach, man escapes by choosing realms whose understanding is easier and experimental.

He has doubts whether he will receive any benefit from inquiring into religion, and whether he will gain any result at all due to its complex nature compared to that knowledge which is easily acquired and straightforward. Man must recognise that investigating any issue other than religion has no subjective value, whereas religious issues are of the highest value.