One Strong Ummah

Instinctive

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Do you know what Fitrah is? Before I explain it to you, let me tell you a true story that took place when I was a little girl.

One day, my family and I went to an amusement park called "Al Qaria Al Pharaoniya" which means the Pharaonic village. It was a fun day, until my aunt suggested to ride on the Ferris wheel. I was really scared and I was backing out even though I never rode a Ferris wheel before. My mum said that it wasn't dangerous and that it would be nice to try it out for a first time. Unwillingly, I hopped on the ride and so did the rest of my family. My mum started filming us with her video camera as the amusement park employee started the Ferris wheel. The huge wheel was turning and revolving at an increasingly higher speed. The strong wind was blowing away my tears. I was frightened that the structure would fall off and that we'd get scattered and hurt. I held on tightly on the structures until my knuckles turned white and I whispered: "SubhanAllah, Allahu Akbar, La Ilah Illa Allah, Alhamdulilah, Bismillahir Rahamnir Rahim, BISMILLAHI RHAMANIR RAHIM!" The whispering quickly turned into screaming as I panicked even more, seeing all my relatives laughing and screaming and throwing their arms up in the air. I continued supplicating, knowing that nothing else could save me and my family from harm: "Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim, ya Allah, ya Allah."

Bear in mind that I was maybe six or seven years old, and that I wasn't exactly aware of who Allah is. It was only a reflex to turn to my Creator in my most vulnerable state, where nobody could understand my problem other than Him.

Finally, the ride started slowing down until it stopped completely. I sighed of relief and rushed to get as far as possible from the Ferris wheel. The rest of my family followed closely, and they looked happy Alhamdulilah.

You see, even as a little girl who didn't fully understand the concept of religion, I knew that there was a higher power that created me and could help me in need. That is part of Fitrah.

Fitra, or fitrah ( فطرة ), is an Arabic word that has no exact English equivalent although it has been translated as 'primordial human nature', and as "instinct" or common sense ('urf).

Human beings are born with an innate inclination of tawhid (La ilah illah Allah----> There is no God but Allah), which is included in the fitra along with compassion, intelligence, ihsan and all other attributes that embody what it is to be human. It is for this reason that some Muslims prefer to refer to those who embrace Islam as reverts rather than converts, because it is believed they are returning to a perceived pure state.

Narrated Abu-Huraira:
Allah's Apostle peace be upon him said, "No child is born except on the fitra and then his parents make him Jewish, Christian or Magian (Zoroastrian), as an animal produces a perfect young animal: do you see any part of its body amputated?"
Sahih Al-Bukhari , Volume 2, Book 23, Number 441

QUESTION OF THE CHAPTER

Do you have any anecdotes/stories about the fitrah?

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh ⭐

Your Sis 😜