The Fitrah Line in Change and Innovation

Year 2020, Volume: 1 Issue: 2, 539 - 560, 31.12.2020

Translator: İsmail Yalçın

Abstract

Fitrah is a concept construed with intense meanings in Islamic literature that originates from the Quran and Sunnah. The concept of fitrah is used to denote the essence, principles, and rules of creation, as well as a way of expressing the material and spiritual value that each entity possesses due to its creation. Allah has given each entity in the world an innate image and spiritual abilities. Of all these entities, human beings, by having willpower and responsibility, have undertaken the role of Allah's Khalifah on earth. Animals, plants, and other beings continue their existence without willpower, based only on fitrah. However, human beings are required to exercise their will according to fitrah and turn to the good, the beautiful, and the good in their choices. Moreover, they should do this not only for themselves but also for all beings to whom they are directly or indirectly related. Allah has placed the creatures in heaven and on earth at the service of man. While benefitting from these beings, their fitrah should be respected, and the fitrah of other beings should be observed along with the nature of the human being in relations with them. Just as there are certain types of wisdom that can only be understood in how Allah, who is the ruler of all, created all beings according to a certain fitrah, there may also be certain types of wisdom that cannot be grasped easily by all. Therefore, whenever one considers a change on a being -whether it is a human, animal, plant, or something else- one should first respect and try to understand the fitrah that Allah has made innate to that entity. All kinds of change and innovation should be carried out with knowledge and wisdom in a manner that will develop and improve creation and nature.

Keywords

Islamic Law, Fitrah, Change, Innovation, Deterioration