Quran Verses’ References to Fitrat
Tendency to religion originates from one’s Fitrat. That is to say, the roots of religion are there in every human being. Fitrat refers to any feeling and emotion in a human being in whose creation no trainer, master or practice has had a role. It is a constant and continuous issue in all human beings in all times and places.
The fundamental principles and tenets of religion, ethics, and religious teachings are all harmonious with humanity’s Fitrat. No matter how old they are or to what place or time in history they belong, humans like to know where the source of existence it. This is the origin of Tawheed (monotheism).
The word Fitrat is mentioned in the Quran once but there are numerous verses of the Holy Book that are about Fitri (related to Fitrat) issues. The following are some of them:
1- Verses like verse 16 of Surah Al-Baqarah: “Such are those who barter away guidance for error, their trade did not profit (them), nor are they guided,” that shows humans have a Fitri guidance but some have traded it for error.
2- Verses like verse 67 of Surah At-Tawbah: “They have forgotten all about God,” which shows that the belief in God exists but they have forgotten it. Some ask if religion is Fitri, why some do not believe in God and religion. The answer is that yes, religion is Fitri but some may make a mistake in their understanding of the source of existence, like an infant who is looking for its mother’s breast but instead sucks a pacifier. Moreover, some Fitri issues may be overshadowed by other issues.
3- Verses that talk about returning to oneself:
“Believers, look after your own souls,…” (Verse 105 of Surah Al-Ma’idah)
“Would you order righteousness on others and forget it yourselves?”
4- Verses that describe man’s regret and remorse: “Woe to us! Would that we had not been friends with so and so.” (Verse 28 of Surah Al-Furqan)
5- Verses of remembrance and reminding:
“and remind them of the Days of Allah.” (Verse 5 of Surah Ibrahim)
“Keep on reminding them. This benefits the believers.” (Verse 55 of Surah Adh-Dhariyat)
6- Questions that the Quran asks human beings. Asking these questions shows that human beings understand and known things within them. “Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only the people of reason take heed’.” (Verse 9 of Surah Az-Zumar)
7- Verse that say: To what direction are you going? “How then can you turn away from Him?” (Verse 62 of Surah Ghafir) Such verses show that mankind is not like an empty dish that can be filled from outside but has internal treasures.
8- Verses that say humans are aware of their selves. “In fact, people are well-aware of their own soul” (Verse 14 of Surah Al-Qiyamah)
9- Verse about man’s pledges to God: “Children of Adam, did I not make a covenant with you?” (Verse 60 of Surah Yaseen)
