1.5 The Intended Meaning of Natural Disposition


Knowledge of Allah and affirmation of His Divine Lordship are considered as part of mans natural disposition which Allah Most Exalted has engrained in the hearts on men and to which his mind bears testimony.

Sheikh Islam Ibn Taymiyyah-may Allah show mercy on him-says: “And since the affirmation of the existence of the Creator is naturally predisposed as the Prophet (SAW) has said:
(( كلُّ مولودٍ يولد على الفطرة ))
Every child is born with a true faith of Islam.

Verily man’s natural disposition consists of the affirmation of Allah and an inclination towards him which is the meaning that there is no God save Allah, for indeed the God is He who is known and worshiped.” Here ends his remarks.



1.5 The Intended Meaning of Natural Disposition


The intended meaning of a natural disposition: is said to be Islam, or, the religion of Allah, or, the religion of Ibrahim (SAW). Collectively they all mean that the religion of Ibrahim (SAW) corresponds to Islam and Islam is the religion of Allah as Allah has stated:

[آل عمران:١٩] (( إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ الأِسْلامُ ))
Verily the religion with Allah is Islam. [3:19]

This natural disposition can be evidenced by both Quran and hadith. Quran supports it by Allah’s words:

[الروم:٣٠] (( فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ ))
The pattern on which He has made mankind: no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah. That is the standard Religion… [30:30]




1.5 The Intended Meaning of Natural Disposition


As for hadith, Abu Hurairah ® narrates that the Prophet (SAW) said:

كل مولود يولد على الفطرة فأبواه يهودانه، وينصرانه، ويمجسانه، كما تنتج البهيمة بهيمة جمعاء هل تحسون ))
(( فيها من جدعاء
Allah's Apostle said, "Every child is born with a true faith of Islam (i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone) but his parent convert him to Judaism, Christianity or Magianism, as an animal delivers a perfect baby animal. Do you find it mutilated?"

Abu Hurairah then said: read if you will:
(( فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ))
No change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah

Narrated by both al-Bukhari and Muslim


1.5 The Intended Meaning of Natural Disposition


Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah-may Allah show mercy on him-in his treatise on natural disposition says:
“As for the all Exalted Lord, He is known through natural disposition
(( قَالَتْ رُسُلُهُمْ أَفِي اللَّهِ شَكٌّ ))
The Messengers said is there a doubt in Allah

So the polytheists from among the idol worshippers and people of the book acknowledge Allah and affirm: that He is their Lord, Creator and Provider. That He is the Lord of the heavens and earth, the sun and the moon. That He is the greatest sought end for Allah the All Exalted naturally predisposed all creation to acknowledge His existence through Tawheed. Even the insane dumb and ignorant swears only by His name and nothing is extolled by the tongue more than His holy name.

Our Sheikh Ibn Qadi al-Jayl has reported that some scholars whom I don’t recall have said: “If a suckling infant was left alone in a house free from any capable of his upbringing, he would acknowledge his Lord.” Here ends his remarks.

Thus the intended meaning of a natural disposition is that all mankind finds in himself a guide towards the Creator and an attachment with Him the Most Glorious. This knowledge of natural disposition which we call (الفطرة) is knowledge of Tawheed brought by Islam. It exists in all newborn children in so long as their parents have not introduced them to other religions and false beliefs.