Islam Rediscovered
23. Conversion: An Intellectual Transformation
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lived, either vanishing on its own or being pulled
out, and is of no use to mankind. The former
resembles a profitable, fruitful tree putting its roots
deep down into the earth. It seems that it is for the
earth and the earth is for it. Receiving sustenance
from the earth as well as the atmosphere, it benefits
people in many ways. Rooted as it is in the earth, it
has a desirable and meaningful existence.
CONVERSION—A UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE
Another aspect of conversion, pointed out
repeatedly in the Qur’an, is that it is not confined
solely to religion. It is rather a universal principle,
by which all kinds of progress have been set in
motion. The present universe was
originally
composed of condensed matter, then it underwent a
process of internal change, by which it began
expanding until this vast universe, with which we
are now familiar, was formed. (21:30). Similarly, the
earth lies dry and barren, then it is transformed by
the rain so that, “it begins to stir and swell, putting
forth every kind of radiant bloom.” (22:5)
Again, some apparently unformed matter passes
through well-defined stages in the womb, until it
