In order to understand these definitions one has to define...

In order to understand these definitions one has to define the meaning of intrinsic nature. In Arabic the word ‘fitrah’ is used to imply a ‘type of creation’. Such things, which are related to this intrinsic nature, are called ‘fitri’, and are those things whose creation depends on something already existent.

We consider those things, which are fitri to have three distinctive features: Different creatures all have a similar intrinsic nature within their species, although there may be variations with regards to it being strong or weak. Things related to the intrinsic nature in the course of history have been determined as being permanent and perpetual. “The origination of Allah according to which he originated mankind (there is no altering Allah’s creation)”.

(al-Rūm:30) The intrinsic nature is self-sufficient from education and training, however it can be intensified and guided through the assistance of discipline. This intrinsic nature of man can be divided into two parts: a. Cognition related to the intrinsic nature endowed to man and not acquired through learning. b. Those tendencies and impulses, which are related to the intrinsic nature and are essential elements in the creation of every individual.

On this basis, if awareness of God is established within every human being and is not a thing that man needs to acquire through research, then it can be called, ‘Knowing God through intrinsic nature’.

If all humans have the tendency towards worshipping God, then it would be known as, ‘Worshipping God through intrinsic nature.’ In lesson two we have indicated that most of the experts in the fields of anthropology and psychology have regarded the tendencies towards religion as psychological and have labelled it as a ‘sense of religiosity’ or as ‘religious sentiment’. We must emphasise that ‘knowing God’ is based on man’s intrinsic nature.

However the intrinsic nature of knowing and worshipping God is not with full awareness in a manner that it will suffice ordinary men from intellectual reasoning. One should not forget that the element of knowledge by presence exists in every individual to a lower degree and is perfected through intellectual reasoning. In conclusion, cognition of God based upon intrinsic nature means that man’s heart is aware of God, and his spirit has the potentiality of knowing God with full awareness.

Questions Name the most fundamental issue of a worldview? Why it is considered the most fundamental?