Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri delivers first address to thousands of the faithful in Itikaf City

Itikaf City: Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri emphasizes faith, knowledge, and the Quran's timeless Relevance

Shaykh al-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir al-Qadri addressed the first session of the City of Retreat (Shahr-e-Itikaf) stating, "I welcome all the devotees from Pakistan and around the world who have come to participate in the city of retreat. Allah is present everywhere, as stated in the Quran, 'The entire universe is within His grasp, from the East to the West. All galaxies, numbering in the billions, the solar system, everything, is just a small thing to Him. Allah is greater than all of these.'"

He continued, "Belief in the unseen is the quality that leads to faith. 'Ghaib' is an Arabic term, referring to something that exists but cannot be seen or shown, meaning it cannot be perceived. Just because something cannot be seen doesn't mean it doesn't exist. There are many things that exist but our eyes cannot perceive them."

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri emphasized, "Young people should connect themselves with knowledge and books, strive hard for intellectual maturity, and cultivate a passion for learning. Reflect on the Quran and engage in comparative study. In the Quran, there are 856 verses that emphasize the importance of knowledge, while nearly a thousand verses directly or indirectly mention scientific facts. There are around two thousand verses in the Quran that discuss knowledge and science."

Dr. Tahir ul Qadri stated, "The Quran repeatedly invites its followers to ponder, deliberate, and establish a relationship with knowledge. Can a book that invites its followers to ponder and contemplate be incorrect? Therefore, the Quran challenges the people of the world to bring forth a single verse or chapter like it.

It is said that science discovers inventions, and then they are found within the Quran. If these were already in the Quran, why didn't Muslims discover them themselves? He said that one answer to this is, why didn't any other religion extract these truths from their religious texts? The Quran contains these truths, so they were discovered. Another answer is that mature knowledge from both sides is a prerequisite to reaching these truths. As science lifts the veils of the universe, it continues to corroborate the claims and meanings of the Quran because all these truths were stated by the Quran 1400 years ago."

Shaykh-ul-Islam further stated, "The truths revealed by the Quran 1400 years ago remain unchallenged to this day. The challenge issued by the Quran remains unaccepted to this day. Can a book that issues a challenge and invites contemplation be false? What is everywhere has no specific location. That which has a specific location is not everywhere. Allah is present even where we have no knowledge. The Quran says that if you ponder upon the signs in the earth and the heavens, each sign will guide you to the essence of Allah. Allah encompasses everything; thus, He cannot be seen. Sight has its limits, the capability of perception is a restrained affair, and its domain has its limitations, whereas Allah is boundless and limitless. Limited senses cannot perceive the boundless. Therefore, it is advised to have faith in the unseen."

Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri emphasized, "When faith weakens, some minds wonder where God is and what His whereabouts are. Allah Almighty says to the people in the Quran to reflect upon its verses and seek guidance and instruction from people of intellect and knowledge. In this era of inflation and high prices, dedicating ten days away from wordly business to seek Allah's pleasure through this spiritual workshop is a great blessing. May Allah Almighty accept your efforts. Things that are perceived through the senses are known to humans, but things beyond the senses are recognized and identified by scientists and science through certain signs. We can see flowers, but we cannot see their fragrance. However, the existence of fragrance cannot be denied."

Concluding his address, Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri stated, "Scientific inventions and discoveries span the last two centuries, whereas previously, science itself was taking its first steps. The Quran announced 1400 years ago that the time would come when you would realize that what was stated in this Book is the truth. At the appointed time, you will come to know all this, and all knots will be untied."