The Humanist Quran – Al-Hikmah – Chapter 2 – Part 1

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2:2 This is the Book , like all Books about which there should always be doubt, skepticism is a guidance for all those that are conscious of their fallibility, those that are true free thinkers.

2:3 Those who understand how we investigate the unknown, establish rigorous trials , and spend out of what we have in an effort to achieve greater understanding

2:4 And who understand the facts of what has been discovered by you, [O mankind], and what was discovered before you, and what will be discovered Hereafter, they are knowledgeable and rational.

2:5 Those are upon [right] guidance from their efforts, and it is those who are the successful.

2:6 Indeed, those who believe in myth blindly – it is all the same for them whether you warn them or do not warn them – they will not understand.

2:7 Indoctrination has set a seal upon their hearts and upon their hearing, and over their vision is a veil. And for them is a great punishment.

2:8 And of the people are some who say, “We understand science and embrace free thought,” but they understand not.

2:9 They [think to] deceive people of good will and those who are free thinkers, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive [it] not.

2:10 In their hearts is a disease [of ego], their leaders [of ignorance] increase their disease; and for them is a painful reality [of social decay] because they [habitually] used to lie.

2:11 And when it is said to them, “Do not cause corruption on the earth,” they say, “We are but reformers.”

2:12 Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not.

2:13 And when it is said to them, “question everything as the seekers of knowledge have ,” they say, “Should we question as the foolish have questioned ?” Undeniably, it is they who are the foolish, but they know [it] not.

2:14 And when they meet those who are critical thinkers, they say, “We too embrace free thought”; but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, “Indeed, we are with you; we were only mockers.”

2:15 [But] they mock themselves and prolong their own transgression [while] they wander blindly.

2:16 Those are the ones who have purchased error [in exchange] for guidance,their transaction has brought no profit, nor were they guided.

2:17 Their example is that of one who re-kindled the fire [of the Greeks, of the Persians, of the Indians and the Chinese], a thousand years ago [golden age of Islam], but when it illuminated what was around him, they embraced [the likes of Ghazali] the ignorant who took away their light and left them in darkness [so] they could not see.

2:18 Deaf, dumb and blind – so they will not return [to the right path].

2:19 Or [it is] like a rainstorm from the sky within which is darkness, thunder and lightning, but also great beauty and wonder [for those that understand]. They put their fingers in their ears against the thunderclaps [of knowledge] in dread of death. But science is true whether or not the ignorant disbelieve..

2:20 The dazzling lightning of discovery almost gives them sight. Every time it lights [the way] for them, they walk therein; but then the darkness comes over them, they stand [still]. And if they had merely willed to understand, they could have found their hearing and their sight. Indeed, knowledge is within the grasp of all.

2:21 O [wo]man, worship none, but revere the painstaking labor of those who discovered the knowledge you have, that you may follow their path –

2:22 [They] who conquered for you the earth and the skies, discovered the mechanics of  rain and agriculture, brought forth fruits and produce as provision for you. So do not attribute to vain myths [such as Allah] that which you know has been the glory of man’s ascent.

2:23 And if you are in doubt about what the labor of science has yielded, conduct your own experiments, produce results that better which came before and use data as your witness , if you should be truthful you shall be lifted up and lauded as the greatest of [wo]men.

2:24 But if you do not – and are unable to refute established knowledge – then fear for you may indeed be amongst the ignorant, those who fight for their ego and self-importance rather than the truth.

2:25 And give good tidings to those who fight to advance the frontiers of knowledge, they will have generations indebted to them, monuments will be built to their resolve. Citadels of knowledge will be built in their name, where their descendants will gain wisdom. Even though their work will be surpassed their efforts to lift up [wom]man will long be remembered.

2:26 Indeed, men of knowledge are not timid to present an example – from the astronomical scale to the subatomic. And those who have understood know that it is the truth from what we have learned. But as for those who revel in ignorance, they say, “What did they intend by this as an example?” Those that glorify ignorance will mislead thereby while many will be guided by the truth. They mislead not except those that are defiantly ignorant,

2:27 Who break the social contract of society after contracting it and sever the bonds of brotherhood that bind humanity together, they create divisions based on myth to cause corruption on earth. It is those who are the losers.

2:28 How can you disbelieve in the power of skepticism, we were mired in superstition, bound to the earth and it gave us the ability to understand the heavens, to soar among them; then traverse beyond those limits as well.

2:29 We learned how all of that which is on the earth evolved. As we directed our intellect to the heaven, teased the knowledge of solar factories, and laid claim to the dance of cosmic creation, yet retained the humility that man may never know all things.