There was some discussion in the comments about the idea of a baby being born, and what religion he and she would have if ‘left alone in the desert’. I too have heard this sort of opinion in the past.
As I recently had a child of my own, I was watching a few studies on the subject of child-development, including a very interesting documentary on “Feral Children”. Feral children are those who are isolated from the rest of humanity either by human means or due to the fact that they were raised by animals. All these children are not exposed to language early on.
The children in the documentary were rescued from strange situations including being raised by animals or locked in a room their entire lives. Interestingly enough, once rescued, many attempts were made at teaching them language, all of which failed miserably. Doctors have since come to the conclusion that children have a ‘critical period’ of approximately 2-3 years in which, if not exposed to the ideas and concepts of language, their brain becomes literally incapable of comprehending the concept later on in life. You can familiarize yourself with the language development process here.
So, with this in mind, I believe we can firmly toss aside the idea of leaving children on their own, as certain very basic brain development occurs because of the parents influence.
Now, what is Islam’s view on the nature of children? Well, the opinion that we are discussing is based of the sayings of our beloved Messenger:
The Prophet Muhammad ??? ???? ???? ? ??? said, “No babe is born but upon Fitra (as a Muslim). It is his parents who make him a Jew or a Christian or a Polytheist.”
(Sahih Muslim, Book 33)
Let us look at some classical commentaries of this hadith:
Imaam An-Nawawi states in his commentary of this Hadith “and what is more correct is that it means that every new born is born prepared to accept Islam, so whoever parents are Muslims or one of them continues upon Islam in the rulings of the world and hereafter, and if his parents were disbelievers then its rulings its rulings are implemented upon him in this world…”
Imaam Al-Manawi in his own study of Fitra concludes “And what occurs is that man is inherently created to be strongly prepared to accept Islam, but he must learn it…”
Looking at the hadith with the commentary helps us understand what is meant, and it seems the literal interpretation is not what is meant here.
Another way to look at the hadith is to understand it in the manner that Islam is, for Muslims, viewed as a natural state compared to other religions with complex theologies. It is very easy to understand the concept of Tauheed (Oneness of God), in fact, to believe in something to the contrary requires extreme effort. If we take the Trinity for example, it has gotten to the point that many Christians have labeled the trinity a ‘mystery’ that cannot be understood.
As Muslims we do view our religion and faith as the proper understanding of the reality that surrounds us. And we are firm believers in the idea that belief in Tauheed (Oneness of God) and its subsequent consequences is an underlying truth which even children are drawn towards. I don’t think I have ever spoken to anyone about Islam except that they find a certain appeal to it. It seems Islam has an appeal for all sorts of people, all aspects of humanity, whether it be spiritual, logical, scientific, even carnal.
This appealing nature of Islam is what I believe the hadith is referring to.
It may be useful to ponder on what this means about those who deny Islam, and where that denial comes from.
October 3rd, 2005 - 8:32 am
Imaam Al-Manawi in his own study of Fitra concludes “And what occurs is that man is inherently created to be strongly prepared to accept Islam, but he must learn it…”,
I think that explains it very well, that indeed some learning has to take place.
But you do pose an interesting question in the end; where does the denial of Islam come from, for those who deny Islam?
I would say Shaytaan does his job there. But after Shaytaan has worked hard enough on a person, he doesn’t need to try and mislead him, that person starts misleading himself.
“Guide us to the straight path.” (1:5)
Ameen
October 3rd, 2005 - 8:33 am
and I would have never thought that there were any Feral children.
October 4th, 2005 - 3:03 am
Muslims believe in the concept of bila kayf. Why take a side swipe at Christians for their ‘mystery’ of the Trinity (which, by the way, not all hold to), and simply stick to trying to understand the narratives?
October 4th, 2005 - 7:23 am
How is Bila Kayf supposed to be equivalent to the mystery of the Trinity?
Bila Kayf is applied to texts which involve Allah’s attributes, many if not all are able to be understood figuratively.
Those that remain explained by saying “without asking how”, are attributes or qualities that would, with a literal understanding, ascribe a limit to Allah Most High. So to avoid understanding it with a limit, we postpone its understanding.
These means are used to understand certain Quranic verses which mention Allah, but certainly not akin to the concept of the Trinity which actually creates confusion on who Allah Most High is. The point here is that Tauheed is simpler than the Trinity, full stop.
July 17th, 2007 - 11:09 am
Salaams:
Few people understand why the hadith are presented. We accept that fatir is and that is obvious, but as you look at the spirituality of the child you can begin to see why. Only if you understand this nature do you understand fatir.
Also know that everybody once had this state and it is forgotten. Astagfir Allaah.
In transliteration, there are 2 fatir, one is to break, and is used when you “break your fast”, and that is not the right abjad.
The correct abjad is fatira with the taa. That just means to be lax, weak, feeble, etc. and you can see that in babies.
So what is so special about that? You have to look at the surrender (salem), and the uncaring trust (wakkil) . They are helpless and they dont even know they are in that condition. If they are abandoned, they may cry, but they will never be able to do one thing about that. With out God making the way for them, they will not survive.
So now we have some strength, or so it seems to us. But how often do we realize that God is in control? How easily do we forsake surrender and trust in God for some other thing, and perhaps satanic understanding.
Bi laa kayf is in that catagory. “in no how?” literally. What is that?
Babies are in bi laa keef.
Adults are not.
To pretend to be a baby spiritually or otherwise, just because you dont understand is such foolishness. To be born again doesnt mean that you forget everything and become a big adult baby once again. That was what Rabbi Gamal’el was asking. “How can a man be born gain? Can he enter and re-emerge from his mothers womb?” Jesus (AS) then replies the answer. You can read it in the gospel injeel if you like.
Repent (tawba) and turn from evil (sharr) and accept what you were like before. As you surrendered and trusted then, remember that, and live that now.
It is not how it is taught now. But look at it as it is.
They say WWJD,and they talk about it, but it falls short when you look.
It makes “born again” look bad. Who would want to be like that? So the whole witness (shahada) falls apart.
Muslims too have this disease. Remember where we must return, and how this is.
Anta salaam, wa minka salaam, wa raj’a ‘alaa salaam, wa bi kulli shayin Qadir.